120 film for a brownie 2

phenomographs · Apr 18, 2009

I HAVE RECENTLY AQUIRED MY GRANDMOTHERS BROWNIE 2, CIRCA 1907? CAN I USE MODERN 120 FILM IN THIS?

kavandje · Apr 18, 2009

According to Camerapedia, the No. 2 Brownie is indeed the camera that introduced 120 film, so there shouldn't be any reason for it not to work, since the specs have hardly changed.

So try it, let us know how it goes!

archphoto · Apr 18, 2009

I would put a 100 ASA in it and take pic's on a sunny day, that's what I did with one 50 years ago..............

Have fun !

Peter

nickrapak · Apr 18, 2009

I would recommend putting in a roll of Kodak Plus-X 125 or Ilford FP4, with personal preference leaning to the Kodak. Both of these are readily available from many photo retailers, and have a classic grain structure, similar to that of older films.

If you are looking for color, I recommend Fuji Reala 100 in 120. It is a slow-speed film with colors that are not overly saturated, perfect for a test roll.

gatewaycityca · Apr 18, 2009

I shot a roll of Kodak Plus-X in a Brownie 2A (Model B). I posted a topic about it in the Medium Format forum, but I didn't get that many responses

I don't know how similar the Brownie 2 is with the Brownie 2A box camera. But my pictures turned out great. I was really surprised. I took them in the late afternoon, maybe around 4 or 5 pm. The Brownie 2A uses 116 film though, so to use 120 film with it, you have to make spacers to put on the ends of the spools.

I think all the Brownie cameras have a slow shutter speed, like around 1/40 or 1/50. So you'll probably want to use a low ISO film. That's why I decided to use Plus-X. I developed the film myself and then just made contact prints.

fschifano · Apr 18, 2009

Verichrome Pan would be ideal, but that's long out of production. Plus-X is the next best thing in B&W.

brianmquinn · Apr 18, 2009

I use old box cameras all the time and am still trying out new film and developers.

I also say go with Kodak Plus-X
In full sun you will be over exposing the film.
Therefore if you are developing the film yourself shorten the developing time.

see

http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/00RrC9

and

http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/00SuvX

For Plus-X in divided Xtol use 4 minutes in the first bath and 4 minutes in the second.

I have gotten wonderful results with this combination.

John Shriver · Apr 18, 2009

If it is a folding camera with bellows (as later Brownies were), rather than a box camera, be sure that the bellows don't have light leaks. Use very bright lights to look for pinholes in the folded corners.

Also pick film on the basis of what you can easily and economically have processed. C-41 color negative processing is the most readily available, so Kodak Portra 160NC, Portra 160VC, or the aforementioned Fuji Reala. If you have access to reasonably priced black and white processing (or do it yourself), then Kodak Plus-X and Ilford FP4+ become attractive choices.

Shoot in bright sun with the sun over your shoulder, just like your grandmother was taught to.

phenomographs · Apr 19, 2009

phenomographs said:
I HAVE RECENTLY AQUIRED MY GRANDMOTHERS BROWNIE 2, CIRCA 1907? CAN I USE MODERN 120 FILM IN THIS?

well thank you all so much! very helpful info

Akki14 · Apr 19, 2009

My Brownie No.2 has a pretty fast shutter speed of around 1/100. I've used it with slide film and it came out fine using the sunny 16 rule (aperture thingy pulled out all the way to f/22 hole with ISO 200 slide film). They're great for eating through 120 at 8 exposures per roll, but they're also good for beginners contact printing and the alt processes.

Rolleiflexible · Apr 20, 2009

Yes, a No. 2 Brownie uses 120 film.

Another thought for film choice: You
might consider Tri-X developed in
Diafine. The combination gives you
tremendous exposure latitude -- you
should get printable negatives when
exposed anywhere from EI 100 to
EI 1600. You can shoot pretty much
anywhere you can find decent light.

phenomographs · Apr 20, 2009

Akki14 said:
My Brownie No.2 has a pretty fast shutter speed of around 1/100. I've used it with slide film and it came out fine using the sunny 16 rule (aperture thingy pulled out all the way to f/22 hole with ISO 200 slide film). They're great for eating through 120 at 8 exposures per roll, but they're also good for beginners contact printing and the alt processes.

thanks Heather, I'll be shooting new family portraits , or old ones, being that its my great grandfathers brownie 2, so any help is apprieciated. and b&w, by the way

phenomographs · Apr 20, 2009

oh and i just got done compiling a slew of old negs, from the 1900's that were shot on the same cam. should be fun to play with

phenomographs · Apr 20, 2009

i've done alot of astro photography ,comets, northern lights, eclipses, etc. this is a whole new venue for me

phenomographs · Apr 20, 2009

thanks Sanders, was always a fan of Tri-X

120 film for a brownie 2

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