Kodak Brownie 44A & 44B

Brownie 44B image by Paul Analog (Image rights)

The Kodak Brownie 44A and 44B are viewfinder cameras made in the UK by Kodak Ltd. They are designed for twelve square 1⁵/₈x1⁵/₈inch (~4x4cm) images on 127 film.

The 44A has a fixed-focus lens with two apertures and a single-speed shutter; the 44B has a focusing lens and variable aperture (f8-f16) and shutter (1/60, 1//30 +B) and double-exposure prevention. Both are fitted for a screw-and-pin flash gun.

The body is mostly plastic, but with an alloy back plate and chromed end plates. The 44A features a plastic ever-ready case, which fits on to lugs in the base and folds over the front to clip over top plate. A more conventional leather case was available for the 44B.

Brownie 44A with clip-on case image by AWCam (Image rights)

44B with leather case image by AWCam (Image rights)

The 44A & B were designed by Kenneth Grange, who also designed other Kodak cameras such as the Brownie Vecta.

The Kodak Autosnap is based on the same body.

Brownie 44A Manufacturer: Kodak Ltd. Manufactured: UK Introduced: Sept 1959 Discontinued: 1965 Film size: 127, 12 4x4cm frames Lens: Dakon, plastic with apertures for EV12 or EV13 (+ EV14 from 1964) Shutter: Single speed ~1/40 sec

Brownie 44B Manufacturer: Kodak Ltd. Manufactured: UK Introduced: May 1961 Discontinued: Sept 1963 Film size: 127, 12 4x4cm frames Lens: Anaston 50mm f/8, glass, 3 apertures, focusing 3ft-infinity Shutter: 1/30 and 1/60 sec + B

Sources & Links

• Coe, Brian, Kodak Cameras, the First Hundred Years, Hove Foto Books, 1988
• Brownie 44B manual on Chuck Baker's Brownie-Camera.com
• Brownie 44A on the Living Image
• Brownie 44A close-ups & 1961 advert on Brian Price's Vintage 127 Cameras pages
• Brownie 44A on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand (in French)