The Brin is a miniature camera taking 1" diameter plates that could also be used as a viewer by means of a lens attached to the back of the camera. The camera consists of a central chamber to which is attached a wooden handle. On the front of this chamber is mounted a cone the front of which carries a simple lens and shutter. The rear of the chamber has a slot for the dark-slide. Hinged to the back of the chamber is the mounting for the magnifier for when the camera is used as a viewer. The magnifier lens is mounted in a draw tube for focusing and has a focal length of 1 ¼" giving about 8x magnification. On the top of the camera a small view-finder can be mounted. The shutter remains open as long as pressure is applied to the trigger.

More commonly the Brin is fitted with a hinged cap shutter which is held open against a spring.

Provisional British Patent 17143 was issued on 8 October 1891 but was not granted.