The Kodak Brownie Starlet is a very basic point and shoot camera for
4x4cm pictures on 127 film, 12 pictures per film. It was launched in
1957 and this one was produced in France. It was part of the very
popular Star series, millions were made. It has flash contacts and
matching flashes were sold, often in a pack. To keep costs down, Kodak used simple plastic lenses, often branded "Dakon" lens, a name that they previously used for simple shutters.
Camera front. Lens,
viewer. Sunny setting, F16. The shutter release is a small lever on the left side of the housing.
Cloudy setting, F11.
Camera back. Viewer and red window. If you really want to use the
camera, put a piece of scotch over the red window except when you
advance the film.
Camera top.
Camera bottom. No tripod socket, wouldn't make sense with 1/40 single
speed. Film wind and opening lever.
Film insert, seen from the back with curved film plane to compensate the vignetting of the simple lens.
Film insert.
Flash open. You would need a 22.5 volt battery. It uses AG1 or PF1 bulbs.
These
are
the ultimate basics of a roll film camera, focus free, single shutter
speed and 2 apertures. Point and shoot only. If you choose the
right film, ISO 200 in general and ISO 100 on very sunny days, you can
shoot outside photos that look OK. The rest will be "Lomo" style. Seen
the price of 127 film I would probably not run a roll through it. It came
with a plastic camera lot, so I had it for free. It's more an item for
collectors although there are still many of them around.
