Brownie Hawkeye - any users?

Randy Smith of Holgamods:

Attachment 49236

Attachment 49238

I've been looking at his site since yesterday. I have three Hawkeye's coming to me. One is the OLD model, before the flash model, and the other two are flash models.

I'm going to flip the lens on one flash model, and leave the other in tact. I would like to put a cable release on one of them, as well as a tripod mount, so maybe I'll send it to Randy.

Also, start looking for the cheap push-on portrait diopter (#13?). It's well worth the dollar or two they go for these days. Here's one of mine after a flip:
Attachment 49239

Nah, the Hawkeye is too modern for me -- I use a Target Six-20. :D

The PITA of re-spooling 120 pretty well limits my use these days.

And speaking of network problems -- got strange prompts when I attempted to send this and now there's two? Oy! :blink:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

I'm resurrecting this thread for two reasons. I just bought two of these on eBay, one was $4 and the other was $9. I plan on cleaning them up and using them for more 6x6 fun.

1 - It looks like the earlier models had a nice metal advance knob, instead of the later boring plastic one. Are the advance knobs hard to switch out?

2 - If you end up with a model that doesn't particular care for 120 reels, are the reel modifications difficult? From what I've researched its looks like its just a little filing and clipping. I prefer to modify 120 reels as I'm not to sure that I'd be able to re-spool it properly.

---

IIRC, the one with the metal knob may be happier with 120 spools.

Getting 120 spools to work properly in the newer cameras is a pain in the rump. Especially the spools that have a "cross" shaped hole in the end. What does seem to work (or, at least worked ok for me) was to use a proper 620 spool for the take-up. Not a problem if you develop your own but it can be disastrous if you send film out for processing and do not get your 620 spool back.

I have my Mother's Brownie Hawkeye that was used as the family picture taker back in the 50s but it hasn't been used in many years. We have many sharp B&W pics from this camera. I think my first camera was a Brownie Holiday that used 127 film.
Marvin

My BHF is my BFF !

I have one form 12/51 with the metal knob and glass lens

I had to take it all apart for a good deep cleaning when I got it (Paid 99 cents), It's like new now and I shoot 4 or 5 rolls a year. Mine easily accepts 120 film in the supply side with a 620 spool on the take up. I develop my own B&W and C-41 so as to not risk losing that 620 spool.

Of course there is a Flickr Group dedicated to the Brownie Hawkeye Flash: http://www.flickr.com/groups/browniehawkeyeflash/

Ha! I see you've already found it, Christopher! :)

I have Bill! I joined day before yesterday.

I have 4 Hawkeyes on the way to me, only one is the pre-flash model though. I bought them all on eBay or Etsy. The most expensive was $15, but it's whistle clean and has an exposed roll in it.

I know that I want to keep two in original condition, but the other two I want to clean, paint, and flip the lens in.

I'm also going on an antique store run tomorrow to see how many I can find. I can't wait to get my first ones in and start shooting them!!

You'd think for 70 bucks he's make it take 120 film without issue...