Anyone can take an awesome photo today just by pulling their phone out of their pocket, but that wasn’t always the case. The entire idea of regular people being able to take snapshots hinges on one important invention: the Kodak Brownie camera.
These little box cameras were everywhere (and I mean everywhere) during the early 20th century, and you can still find them in thrift stores and antique shops today. You might even have one you inherited. Many of them aren’t especially valuable, but a few models can sell for hundreds of dollars.
The Kodak Brownie Camera: The Reason You Have Your Family Photos
Like most people, I have a box of old family photos taken by my great grandparents. We owe those boxes of photos to the invention of the Kodak Brownie in 1900. Before the Brownie, people had to go to photographers to get their picture taken or be really, really into photography on a serious level. The Brownie gave everyone the chance to capture moments on film, and it's one of the most iconic Kodak cameras ever.
How much did a Kodak Brownie cost when it came out? The first Brownies sold for one dollar, which is about $33 in today's money.
I'm a photographer myself, and I became fascinated with the idea of finding and using the exact camera model my great grandma used to take those photos. Turns out, it was a Kodak Brownie 2A. I bought one and used it to take some photos. Kodak Brownie cameras still work, provided you're willing to put the effort into finding film for it and dealing with a few idiosyncrasies.
Kodak Brownie Camera Values
While many people do buy Brownies to use for making photos, others love them for their sweet antique style. They look really cool sitting on a shelf in your home or office, and they're really not that expensive to get your hands on. Most sell in the $30 to $60 range, although some can be worth a lot more. The value of a Kodak Brownie depends on the model, the condition it's in, and the kind of film it uses (it's really hard to find film for some of them). These are a few of the models you might encounter and what they may be worth.
| Kodak Brownie Model | Value Range |
|---|---|
| Kodak Beau Brownie | $85 to $650 |
| Kodak Brownie 2 and 2A | $30 to $140 |
| Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Flash | $30 to $50 |
| Kodak Brownie 8mm movie camera | $30 to $50 |
Kodak Beau Brownie
The epitome of Art Deco style, the adorable Beau Brownie was only available for a few years, starting in 1930. It came in a few colors, but the rose and green are the most collectible because they're super cute and were only made until 1931. This is the most valuable Kodak Brownie model you can find with prices ranging from about $85 to $650 for cameras in good condition. A sweet rose pink Beau Brownie in pristine condition sold for about $650 at auction. It shot 120 film and was in tested, usable condition.
Many Brownie models shoot 116, 620, or 120 film. You can easily buy 120 film today, and there are adapters to allow you to shoot 120 in cameras that take 116 (it's a hassle, though). You can also shoot 120 in most 620 models, but you need a 620 take-up spool for the exposed film.
Kodak Brownie 2 and 2A
The Kodak Brownie 2 and 2A (the 2A is the one I have) are among the oldest Brownies you can find. They hit the shelves around 1901 for the 2 and 1907 for the 2A and were discontinued in the mid-1930s. The Brownie 2 uses 120, and the Brownie 2A uses 116. There were tons of these made. In fact, 2.5 million Brownie 2s had been produced by 1921. They aren't especially valuable because there are so many, often selling for around $30. However, a Brownie 2 Model F in its orginal box sold for about $140.
There are a few things that can affect the value of a Brownie, but one of the most important is condition. If it's tested and works, it's worth more. If it's still got its original box and looks pretty, too, it's worth the most.
Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Flash
A sweet little bakelite camera with an option to use flash, the Brownie Hawkeye shoots 620 film. This model hit the shelves about 1950 (earlier in Europe), and it was very popular and easy to use. You'll find tons of them in thrift stores and antique shops, often selling for about $30 to $50. A Brownie Hawkeye Flash with all its parts in its original box sold for $50.
Modern film photographers sometimes buy the Hawkeye and flip the lens around to give a really cool effect to their photos. If you're thinking about buying one, ask if the lens has been flipped.
Kodak Brownie 8mm Movie Camera
In the 1950s, the Kodak Brownie movie camera joined its still photo brethren. There were several models of Brownie 8mm movie cameras, but they tend to sell in the $30 to $50 range. You can still buy 8mm or Super 8 film, but it's expensive (and expensive to develop, too). Additionally, there are are lot of moving parts in a Brownie movie camera, so they're hard to find in good working condition. A vintage Kodak Brownie 8mm movie camera in its original box sold for about $50.
The Camera That Put Photography Within Reach
The Kodak Brownie camera is more than just a cool vintage photographic tool. It's the device that put the ability to take a photo in the hands of an ordinary person. Your family pictures exist because of this line of cameras, and you can still use them today to capture more memories.
