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 mentioned, I was thinking, for the last forty years I have passed over cameras that needed 620 film as it was hard to find and re-spooling was just not for me because I prefer the easy option. But now we can all get out with our 620's and start using them once more. The film seems good and relatively reasonable in price, so what is to stop us?

Well, if you are like me, then you wont have that many examples of them to try out! I mean I've loads of folders to try, but they are all 120! So just what is out there for using some of Shanghai's great new film, I mean it would be rude not to use it now it is available again!

So I've had a rummage around the attic and so far come up with very little in the 620 stakes, but today I found this little Art Deco period piece from the 1930's.

What is it? Well it's a Six-20 Kodak. But that's it, just a Six-20 Kodak. Not a junior or a special or anything else, just Six-20 ''Kodak''

Look it says so on the tin! SIX-20 ''KODAK'' Made in Great Britain by Kodak Limited London.

So lets have a look and see what we have got. It is very pretty with its shiny black enamel and stylish lens panel in text book Art Deco style. The lens is a 100mm f6.3 Kodak Anastigmat with a No 0 Kodon shutter. The shutter is pretty basic, with speeds of T, B, 25th, 50th and 100th of a second and that is it. The shutter says that it is made in the USA by Eastman Kodak Rochester N.Y. The lens / shutter number is 40838, focus is by guesstimate and goes down to around 5 feet. Other distances are marked clearly, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 25, 50, 100 feet, with the 25' in red, so I guess that is a snap shot setting with most subjects roughly in focus?

It looks like there is a very similar American version of this camera, with a few detail differences, the name plate on the front standard below the lens, and the fact that it has an extra, more useable viewfinder and sports a useful carry handle.

There is a good article here about the American version. Kodak Six-20, revisited - Down the Road

It is a blog by a gentleman called Jim Grey and is definitely worth a look at. He has also put a film through his Kodak Six - 20, so well worth a look.

So what else have we feature wise on this little 620 folder? Well lots of nice Art Deco touches such as the black enamel and stylish film winder knob.

Very stylish polished side struts that look good, but to be fair do still hold everything square and solid.

It's stylish, solid, but that is about it. No decent viewfinder, no handle, limited shutter speeds, no accessary shoe to sit a rangefinder on and by the sound of it the lens is very prone to flare, so it could do with a lens hood. Definitely a case of style over substance here! Very flash but that is it.

Even the pressure plate has style ! I suppose as 620 was introduced in about 1932 by Kodak, most of the new cameras produced for the new film will be Kodak Deco cameras of the 1930's and of a similar ilk to the little Kodak we have just looked at. I think we might have to look to Germany for something useable, a nice Kodak Vollenda 620 for example designed by Nagel, that might be the answer.

So a well made pretty camera it is, I like it a lot, but as a serious photographic tool, then it has its limitations which is a shame. It was not a cheap camera in the 1930's so why did Kodak not give it that little bit extra, just simple things, decent viewfinder, a handle, a accessary shoe, it would not have taken much just to lift it!

It did some with a really well made case though !

Oh well, this one won't make me stock up on 620 film, but there must be something out there!! Dr Nagels Kodak 620 Vollenda here I come.

I suppose I could dig out that old Kodak Medalist, that would do the trick.......!!!

Dig out your 620's and give them a go !

I hope you enjoyed this little post.

Take care,

Phil