Guide for Aspiring 8mm Filmmakers - Using the Kodak Brownie

I am a professional photographer and a novice 8mm filmmaker, but to say I have the ability to read minds would be a lie. If I could I would not be contributing instructional how-to information about 8mm cameras along with filmmaking, and probably would be in Las Vegas hitting the blackjack tables. That said, there is by no means of knowing what particular Kodak Brownie make or model you possess. I do however know how to help you get better acquainted with your Kodak Brownie 8mm film camera. Kodak made most of these Brownie cameras foolproof and can safely say that if you attest to the fact that it properly functions, then I can attest that I can assist you in film making using a Kodak Brownie. The Kodak I own is a Kodak Brownie No. 76, but as mentioned above they 're are almost all identical.

How-To Get Acquainted With Your Kodak Brownie 8mm Movie Camera

Before introducing any film into the camera lets go over a simple three-point check-list of the three most basic functions on the Kodak Brownie 8mm movie camera first.

How-To Wind The Motor On Your Kodak Brownie 8mm Movie Camera

You simply lift the winding key that is located on the right side of the Kodak Brownie as if your composing a subject. Now turn the winding key clockwise (to the right) until the spring operated motor is taunt. Do not over-wind the key! Regardless of mint to near-mint condition the camera indeed is simply old and has aged to some degree. Once wound tightly fit the winding key back down flush against the cameras body.

How-To Sight-In Your Parallax Slide On Your Kodak Brownie 8mm Movie Camera

Parallax Slide you ask? Confused? Do not be confused! The Parallax Slide was Kodak's fancy techno-term for a view-finder on the Brownie. Its simply a flip-up clear plastic slide view finder located at the rear of the camera that correlates with a flip-up clear plastic composing screen located on the front of the Brownie 8mm movie camera. Once both view-finders are set in an up-right position and the rear slide set in the downward position. This setting is for landscapes, typically any composed subject that is fifteen-feet or greater away from your shooting position. Its called 'infinite' on the Parallax Slide. The remaining settings range from fifteen-feet (infinite) down to three-feet. The sequence is 15-8-5/4-3, three being reserved for close-ups. On the front view-finder you will notice three different colored lines formed into the shape of a square that correlate with the rear Parallax view-finder. The sequence here is the green-outline square (15" or greater/landscapes), a red-outline square for a composed subject at a medium ranged composed subject, and lastly an orange-outline within the two above mentioned colored lines for closely situated composed subjects. In short, the cameras lens does not see as you do through your own eye's. All of the adjustments mentioned above correctly correlate with the lens and "See's it" relative to the Parallax view-finder when it is set accordingly.

How-To Start The Spring Loaded Motor On Your Kodak Brownie 8mm Movie Camera

Referring back to the first-step where you wound the winding key tightly that is located flush against the cameras right side of the camera body as to actuate the exposure (0n) button which is located at the very front of the cameras body. This exposure button is made of a flat piece of knurled steel. You simply depress the button in to actuate or start the spring loaded motor. To leave the motor on in a constant running manner you must push the button in and upward to the locked position. To deactivate this feature you simply press the button in and downward shutting-off the Kodak Brownie's spring loaded motor.

Closing Words On The Kodak Brownie 8mm Movie Camera

In part II of my "How-To Get Acquainted With 8mm Film Stock For Your Kodak Brownie 8mm Movie Camera" I will discuss how-to acquire 8mm film stock.

Sources: Novice 8mm Film Maker - Ray Anthony
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