120 film with less than 12 6x6 shots

Cuprocene · Feb 26, 2022

I was reading a manual for the Graflex Roll Film Back (https://graflex.org/manuals/art/02imagesgraflex/rollfilm2.jpg) and noticed the comment for color film:

"When using color film wind the film off after making six 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 or nine 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 exposures."

I have a pack of Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (exp. 12/2006) that I think only has nine 6x6 exposures, but I'm not sure that it isn't user error.

Can anyone confirm that color film (slide? color negative?) was shorter, and when this was the case?

laser · Feb 26, 2022

After 1980, Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus was only made in conventional 32-inch length that would allow 12 6x6 cm images. The only Kodak Film in 120-size of a different length was a color neg film sold only to L a large mass portraiture photographic company.

In earlier years there may have been shorter lengths but that was before my time. www.makingKODAKfilm.com

John Salim · Feb 26, 2022

I believe Kodachrome was made slightly longer than standard too !
John S

laser · Feb 27, 2022

I don't think that Kodachrome 6033 was longer than other 120-size films.

MattKing · Feb 27, 2022

The Roll Film back might have been configured so as to waste more film than most at the beginning of the roll.
Or, it may have used extra wide 6x9 spacing even when used with a 6x6 mask.

Pieter12 · Feb 27, 2022

It may have been a precaution so the last frames of film would not be in danger of being exposed to extraneous light from the roll being loosely wound when finished?

Hunter_Compton · Feb 28, 2022

One thing to keep in mind is when was the manual printed?

The original Kodacolor roll film introduced in 1942 only had 6 usable exposures per roll of 120/620. This was because the last two exposures on the roll were used for color correction at the processing lab. If this is what your manual is referring to, that would make sense.

I'm not exactly sure when Kodak changed Kodacolor roll films to the correct number of frames per roll, but it was probably after 1952, which is when my Darkroom Data-guide notes the 6 exposure rolls were still being used.

laser · Feb 28, 2022

Pieter12 said:
It may have been a precaution so the last frames of film would not be in danger of being exposed to extraneous light from the roll being loosely wound when finished?

The 120-12 length is defined by the ISO standard. All 120 films were coated in Rochester.

Kodak in Rochester spoolers had a standard configuration so that any film could be spooled on any mainline 120 spooler. Essentially all film types were spooled in Rochester. Large runners were spooled in Rochester and also Annesley in the UK; VPS, TX, Kodacolor, Ektacolor Pro-Gold. Portra. China only spooled ProGold 160. 62mm slits were shipped to Annesley and China.

120 film with less than 12 6x6 shots

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120 film with less than 12 6x6 shots

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