126 film for a Keystone K 1020 SLR Reflex?

Clem Samouris · May 2, 2017

I had purchased a Keystone K 1020 SLR Reflex in pretty good condition from a vintage retail store a few years ago. It came with an empty roll of 126 film with its label removed. Is it difficult to get a hold of this type of film or it possible to convert a roll of 35mm film to work with it so I could use it. Also where are some places that can develop film? If anyone knows if obtaining this film is possible please let me know.

Truzi · May 2, 2017

No one presently makes 126 film, but you may find some old stock on ebay or other sites - though it may be too old to give good results.

It is basically 35mm film that is not perforated. Instead, it has an indexing hole for every frame, and this hole tells the camera when to stop.

You can load 35mm in the 126 cartridge, but the perforations might stop the advance too soon, causing overlapping exposures. You can modify the camera, though you may have to work out how much to wind it (depending on the camera). You also either have to use backing paper, or tape over the window in the cartridge.

Some microfilms are not perforated, but are black and white. Occasionally you can find bulk rolls of unperforated color 35mm film. I found some color at Photo Warehouse a few years ago. They are an APUG sponsor, you can find their link at the bottom of APUG pages.
Any place that develops 35mm can do it for you (so long as they do color or B&W, depending on what you use), or you can develop it yourself. You might have to ask the lab how to deliver it to them (can they handle a 126 cartridge? Plus, they may not return the cartridge.)

To reload the cartridge is also a bit of work, but can be done. A few of us here have done it.

You can search the site for more information, but here are a couple quick links to get you started:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Clem Samouris · May 2, 2017

Truzi said:
No one presently makes 126 film, but you may find some old stock on ebay or other sites - though it may be too old to give good results.

It is basically 35mm film that is not perforated. Instead, it has an indexing hole for every frame, and this hole tells the camera when to stop.

You can load 35mm in the 126 cartridge, but the perforations might stop the advance too soon, causing overlapping exposures. You can modify the camera, though you may have to work out how much to wind it (depending on the camera). You also either have to use backing paper, or tape over the window in the cartridge.

Some microfilms are not perforated, but are black and white. Occasionally you can find bulk rolls of unperforated color 35mm film. I found some color at Photo Warehouse a few years ago. They are an APUG sponsor, you can find their link at the bottom of APUG pages.
Any place that develops 35mm can do it for you (so long as they do color or B&W, depending on what you use), or you can develop it yourself. You might have to ask the lab how to deliver it to them (can they handle a 126 cartridge? Plus, they may not return the cartridge.)

To reload the cartridge is also a bit of work, but can be done. A few of us here have done it.

You can search the site for more information, but here are a couple quick links to get you started:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Thank You! This is super helpful!

Clem Samouris · May 2, 2017

Also, I had found a plastic cover on the bottom of my camera reading... " N batteries; one tip up, one tip down". Is the light sensor on the front battery powered? It looks like a door that is stuck shut and I'm not really sure how to open it to find out. Seems weird to me.

AgX · May 2, 2017

Likely you have to push down the smaller tab, raise the broader tap and pull it with your fingernail.

BUT the batteries have leaked. That likely will hamper opening of that cap and removing the batteries. Then you will have to clean the compartment. There is a chance that the battery contacts are gone and even more damage was done to the camera.

Clem Samouris · May 2, 2017

After reading an online manual, "one tip up one tip down" refers to the way the + side of the batteries go in. The battery door is supposed to slide open; but the door is completely shut stuck and can't be opened by hand. Would taking the screws out of the bottom of the camera to get better access be a good next move?

AgX · May 2, 2017

There is no other choice...

However, if the leaking batteries have not damaged other innards of your camera, the camera should work fine on ambient light.

Those batteries are only to fire a flash-cube you can insert on top of the camera.
Getting out the batteries though may prevent further damage and mess.

AgX · May 2, 2017

How to work with such flash-cube you have to look up in the respective manual. It may be that the aperture, after inserting the cube, is controlled by that focusing ring.

Clem Samouris · May 2, 2017

AgX said:
How to work with such flash-cube you have to look up in the respective manual. It may be that the aperture, after inserting the cube, is controlled by that focusing ring.

The flash cube was not with the camera when I had purchased it. Is it still worth taking off the back of the camera to clean that area if I don't have that have that piece or should is checking the inside of the camera for battery acid damage worth it?

AgX · May 2, 2017

A flash cube is a consumable, yielding four flash-lightings. Over here a typical fleamarket item.

railwayman3 · May 2, 2017

The "N" size battery is a small cylindrical 1.5 volt alkaline battery, also known as MN9100 or LR1 batteries ; Duracell, and probably other manufacturers, still supply them for around a couple of $, Google should provide sources.

Flashcubes consisted of four small flashbulbs in a disposible plastic "cube", used in many Kodak Instamatic and other easy-use cameras from the 1960's onwards. They have not been manufactured for, maybe 10-15 years, so, again, Google or Ebay would be possible leads if you wanted to try them. They were usually sold in packs of 3 "cubes", giving a total of 12 flash pictures.

There is a copy of the instruction manual for your camera on:-
http://www.cameramanuals.org/pdf_files/keystone_k-1020_slr.pdf

Truzi · May 2, 2017

My Grandmother's Minolta 126 camera uses a button cell battery for the meter. It uses MagicCubes, which fires by being struck with a pin... make sure you have the right flash for the camera (consult the manual). You can tell by looking at the bottom of the flash cubes - the base is a bit different.

For the battery door, you can try to gently but firmly press down as you try to slide it open. Sometimes that is how they are made to open.

AgX · May 3, 2017

A selenium meter camera with batteries would not use Magicubes.

Truzi · May 3, 2017

AgX said:
A selenium meter camera with batteries would not use Magicubes.

You're right, I got a bit mixed up there - I've acquired too many cameras from family to keep them straight.
It's not a meter but "aperture control."

This is what I was referring too:
http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Minolta_Autopak_600-X

AgX · May 3, 2017

Anyway, as information for the OP: Magicubes contain flashbulbs that are triggered not by an electrical curcuit starting at a battery at the camera, but are triggered by only a mechanical action of the camera, resulting in a selfmade electrical current.
By this the cameras could be made even more simple, compact and light. And if the camera needed electricity for itself it would com from a battery typically not sufficient to fire flashbulbs.
The days of such cubes were much later then the days of this camera, it was the time of the tiny bar-like pocket cameras.

Dan Fromm · May 3, 2017

AgX said:
Anyway, as information for the OP: Magicubes contain flashbulbs that are triggered not by an electrical curcuit starting at a battery at the camera, but are triggered by only a mechanical action of the camera, resulting in a selfmade electrical current.

No electricity, percussion as in, e.g., bullets. A small contained explosion ignites the flash.

carylee2002 · May 3, 2017

Contact Bellamy Hunt at Japancamerahunter.com....he probably can get it in japan. or watch this to reload it with 35mm film.
https://www.lomography.com/magazine/44732-recargando-tu-carrete-de-126-con-pelicula-de-35-mm

AgX · May 3, 2017

Dan, you are right, I mixed it up with the succeeding generation of bulb flashes.

Andrew K · May 4, 2017

has anyone used this? https://www.camerhack.it/product/fakmatic-135-to-126-film-adapter-kit/

If you really want flash cubes I have some - but shipping would be expensive...

Spruece · Mar 19, 2022

BUMP !
Interesting information.
Just purchased today a Keystone 126 SLR but haven't had time to go beyond checking that the shutter fires.
Will try the 35mm film in a leftover 126 cartridge - hopefully still in storage from 25 years ago.
If I like the camera, I will probably regret not buying a Rollei 126 on the Goodwill bidding site.

126 film for a Keystone K 1020 SLR Reflex?

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