Kodak Six-20 Model C Art Deco Folding Camera of the 30's

It is quite a while since I featured a Art Deco folding Kodak in my blog, so lets have another look at one of the other lovely Art Deco creations from Kodak of London.

I really like all the Art Deco Kodaks, okay some were not state of the art serious market leading photographic tools of their time, but all were nicely made with a good lens and shutter and very useable both when new and now ninety or so years on.

The link to my other related post is below.

www.kameraostalgie.com

SIX-20 ''KODAK'' ART DECO FOLDER FROM THE 1930's FROM KODAK OF LONDON

Right, I've been thinking! Yes I know, it's dangerous, but seriously, with 620 film now being available again from our friends at Shanghai films in China, the boys at Shanghai (Jiancheng Photography) have given us back hundreds of different cameras which were shelved, never to be used again, to be available to actually take pictures with once more.Now that is really big news to collectors who, like myself, dash out and like to use their vintage bits of kit every now and again. So like I mentione

This particular camera is a SIX-20 Kodak Model C and was introduced in around 1932/33 and discontinued about 1937.

There are one or two different versions of this camera, many with f6.3 Anastigmat lenses, but this particular example has the much faster f 4.5 Anastigmat lens which made it a lot more useable when lighting conditions were poor.

The body number on my example is 36288.

So here we can see the f 4.5 K.S.Anastigmat lens of 10.5cm, with the number 0 P.S shutter giving speeds of T, B, 100th, 50th and 25th of a second, more than adequate for the time and type of camera. Surprisingly enough the shutter works correctly on all speeds. The lens has a little haze, only to be expected I think after ninety odd years, and will benefit from a gentle clean before using again.

The front lens panel is pure unashamed Art Deco with polished nickel and black shiny enamel everywhere, the rest of the camera carries on the theme. This could not be really anymore Deco than it is, Kodak really went to town on this design.

The number 0 P.S shutter seems to be far less common than the 0.V shutter seen on most examples of this model. The O P.S seems to go with the faster f4.5 lens as far as I can tell with the limited number I have seen.

The aperture range is huge,, 32, 22, 16, 11, 8, 5.6, and 4.5.

The lens focuses down to 3.5 feet, with the additional following settings marked in feet on the lens, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 25, 50 and Inf. 25 feet is marked in red, so that is most like the snapshot mode where most objects will be sharp when using a small aperture.

The focussing scale can be seen on the image here, the focus ring is still smooth to operate, which makes a change to the rival Agfa folders of the same period which are almost always seized solid 90 years on.

I really like the look of these Art Deco Kodaks, the nickel pin striping and the high gloss black enamel really set them off in the looks department. The finish of these cameras is without doubt first class.

Not just looks either, the design of the struts still hold the lens panel rock solid and it's still vertical and parallel to the

body.

The SIX-20 C comes with two viewfinders one the old style 'Brilliant' finder which is anything but brilliant, and the much more useable folding frame finder which to me, is the much better option.

On this camera, even the frame finder is finished in an Art Deco style which is really effective.

This frame finder really makes the camera much more useable than its stable mate the Six -20 'Kodak' reviewed in my other post. That version had just the 'Brilliant finder, and no carry handle either.

This camera makes you want to dash out and buy a nice roll of Chinese 620 film and try it out compared to the other versions with no handle and no folding frame finder.

You can still get 620 film today, Washi, FPP and Shanghai all currently produce 620 films, though you might have to go to specialists like Analogue Wonderland to get some of it. Shanghai GP3 is available on eBay direct from China. I have some and it arrives pretty quickly.

So maybe we start looking at these 620 Kodaks in a different light, not just as display pieces but as useable cameras once again.

Jim Grey used one in his blog with good

results, take a look! You will all be rushing out for your 620 films after this.

blog.jimgrey.net

Kodak Six-20, revisited - Down the Road

I was so impressed with this Kodak Six-20 when I bought it seven or eight years ago. I was limiting my collection to folders and rangefinders then, and this mint-condition folding Kodak with Art Deco details was so lovely I just had to own it. I’ve always displayed this camera. I have little display space, […]

You won't get any of this though, Kodak 620

Verichrome or for that matter 620 Regular !

It is suprising that 620 film was still available up untill the mid 1990's before the current introductions.

Try Analogue Wonderland if you fancy some 620, but it does sell out pretty quickly.

analoguewonderland.co.uk

620 Film

Shop at Analogue Wonderland for the best 620 film in colour and B&W. View our collection of 620 roll film and take-up spools. Shop 620 Film Now!

Nick and Trick also sell 620 film, so you have no excuse now, get your 620 Kodak loaded up with some and take it for a spin.

ntphotoworks.com

Shanghai GP3 620 Roll Film 100asa B&W ~ A Nik & Trick Exclusive! - Nik & Trick Photo Services

Shanghai GP3 100asa Black & White Film 620 Roll came about as part of our collaboration with the factory it's only new 620 film available

Back to our featured camera !

Luckily the red window on the SIX - 20 C has a nice little cover over it which will reduce any chances of the film fogging from behind, which is reasuring if you are going to use it.

So, that is about it for my quick look at the Art Deco 620 Kodak model C. Its a nice camera, pretty in the extreme, well made and enough features that matter to make it still useable if you so desire. Or it looks just stunning as a display camera, really you can't loose either way, in a nutshell it's a nice little camera!

Why not take a look?

Phil

Further reading ?

Check this article out.

https://www.artdecocameras.com/cameras/kodak/six-20-modc/

Up Date 26.5.2026

I noticed yesterday that the lens looked very hazy, so this morning I gently cleaned the lens with my Zeiss Lens wipes and it has cleaned up really well. Luckily for me most of the dirt was on the outside of the lens, the rear surface was the culprit, but this was easily accessed via the back of the camera the front was only slightly dirty and now the lens looks very clear, making the camera useable again!

The Kodak after cleaning the lens

So now the lens is clear, this little Kodak needs trying out !

Phil