220 Cameras and Film Backs...Have Any, Think You Will Ever Use Them?

[Sirius Glass]

... and not only that, if you crop to panoramic, you have plenty of adjustment for rise/fall shift.

I did this with a P67 when Kodachrome was not available in 120. And 135 film was a lot cheaper than 120. And the X-Pan was/is just $$$...

Someone must stimulate the economy. It is a tough life but someone has to live it. I decided to make the sacrifice.

 

[nosmok]

My first ever post to APUG/ Photo was on how it's possible to use 220 film in an old Kodak Monitor 620 camera, because it has a mechanical film advance that doesn't use the red window and can just be reset to 1 after the first 8 exposures. You lose a couple shots b/c of the thickness of the take-up after the 1st 8 shots, but you still get 14 or 15 shots. I admit that, after figuring the whole mess out, I maybe did it twice!

 

[narsuitus]

Instead I use the Hasselblad 903 SWC [38mm] or the 30mm Fisheye Lens [Full Frame] and I get a full 6x6 negative, not a strip of 35mm film.

Yes, I wish I had a Mamiya 37mm f/4.5 fisheye for my RB67 but I cannot fiscally justify the expenditure.

 

[Donald Qualls]

My first ever post to APUG/ Photo was on how it's possible to use 220 film in an old Kodak Monitor 620 camera, because it has a mechanical film advance that doesn't use the red window and can just be reset to 1 after the first 8 exposures. You lose a couple shots b/c of the thickness of the take-up after the 1st 8 shots, but you still get 14 or 15 shots. I admit that, after figuring the whole mess out, I maybe did it twice!

The same applies to a Kodak Reflex II -- it has a mechanical advance driven by a fine-toothed wheel that rides in the film rebate. You'd have to come up with a way to load to the correct starting point (just about 2 1/2 frames from the arrow to film start -- so set the arrow at middle of frame, close camera and set counter, advance 3 frames, and reset counter to 1) and then remember to reset the counter to one after exposing frame 12 but before advancing -- but this camera has a shutter on the ruby window, and further you could tape backing paper over the pressure plate, both as an additional light block and to protect the film and ensure correct critical focus.

Tempting to get a few rolls of the Shanghai 220 if/when it becomes available here.

 

[unityofsaints]

220 really wasn't discontinued that long ago. Slow colour and certainly B&W film is still very shootable, we're not talking about lantern slides here. I have one back each for 120 and 220 on my ETRSi.

 

[guangong]

Years ago I tried 220 in my Rolleiflex and while a handy option for some photographers, my way of shooting 120 differs from 35mm ...with fewer “grab” shots. The 8, 11 or 12 exposures seems just right and 24 too often too many. My Rolleiflex, GF670 and Makina 67 are capable of 220, but I doubt the pressure plate will ever be readjusted.
If 12, or even 24 exposures are too limiting, Hasselblad has digital backs.

 

[ic-racer]

Last time I was in Europe I used my 124G Yashica. I had it in its case to protect it while traveling. The 220 option was nice as I didn't have to reload in the street or on a train as often. I used Plus-X 220 and really miss that film and never got to use it again. Last 220 I shot was on vacation in Hawaii. I got low on B&W film (didn't bring enough) and a local camera shop only had 220 Transparency film, which I purchased and exposed.

 

[iakustov]

I regularly use 220 Velvia 100 (the last 220 film which was discontinued not long ago, if I am not mistaken) in RZ67 6x6 back. I also have 220 back for RZ67 and 6x7 220 Linhof cassette (4x5) to shoot expired Portra 400.

 

[Arthurwg]

I just spo

If you had a 12/24 Rolleiflex, you could hold backdrop paper flat too....
View attachment 256336

Avedon I believe. I ran into him in a hallway in Manhattan years ago. He looked hard at me and it was like a strobe going off in my face. Funny about the Rolleiflex.

I'm still hanging on to my 220 Hasselblad back in hopes that the film will come back again. I think if it does come it will be from China. They can make just about anything, no matter how small the demand.

 

[DAVID GEORGE WATSON]

I have 2x 220 backs for my Rolleiflex 6008i ! Very convenient whilst having a day out shooting, just a shame my stock is showing signs of depletion! kodak 320 TXP is a film I shall mourn when it's all gone!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Every time I looked into using 220 I found the choice of available films for 220 to be lacking. Now its become seriously lacking with Shanghai providing 220 film that does not have enough tape to hold the film onto the paper.
.

 

[Anaxagore]

I still have some old stock of Agfa Optima 400 (latest iteration, expired about 2006) and Velvia 100 in 200, that I use from time to time with the 6008AF (2x 220 magazines) or the Hy6 (6060 or 6045 magazines). Very convenient for a stroll into town when 12 might not be enough for the day but 24 is more than enough.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I wondered who has 220 cameras and or film backs and if anyone thinks they will use them. Will you sell them? Keep them just in case? Try to convert to 120? Other?

I only have 120 equipment; no interest in 220. I don't even like 36 frames on a 35mm spool;prefer 24 frames.

 

[guangong]

220 film will not come back. The primary market was fashion and wedding photography, which is now overwhelmingly digital. As for myself, many years ago I shot a few rolls with my Rollei F, but for my way of using MF cameras 24 frames was too many. Ten or twelve, depending on camera, are just about right.
Until a few years ago I was still using the backs once used with my long defunct Hasselblad 1000 F. The backs were certainly built with greater durability than the innards of that camera.
Though not for me, I do find using 35mm film in 220 backs shows ingenuity and is a very interesting read.

 

[markjwyatt]

Around the time Shanghai 220 was announced, I picked up a few $0.99 220 reels just to be prepared in case I wanted to try it (and hoping other film manufacturers may follow suit). I can live without 220, but it could be nice in some cases. The ones I got were Kalt.

Looks like they are on special right now until midnight (EST, July 24th 2022). I noticed this deal comes and goes.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/82591-REG/General_Brand_NP10112_220_Stainless_Steel_Reel.html

 

[Nokton48]

"Around the time Shanghai 220 was announced, I picked up a few $0.99 220 reels just to be prepared in case I wanted to try it (and hoping other film manufacturers may follow suit). I can live without 220, but it could be nice in some cases. The ones I got were Kalt.

Looks like they are on special right now until midnight (EST, July 24th 2022). I noticed this deal comes and goes.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/82591-REG/General_Brand_NP10112_220_Stainless_Steel_Reel.html "



Thanks for that, Mark. I just ordered 20 220 reels, I have a basket that will hold eighteen rolls. Eventually I will set this up. What a steal


My Stash of 220 Film by Nokton48, on Flickr

Shanghai 220 Testing I like it by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Fujicaman1957]

"Around the time Shanghai 220 was announced, I picked up a few $0.99 220 reels just to be prepared in case I wanted to try it (and hoping other film manufacturers may follow suit). I can live without 220, but it could be nice in some cases. The ones I got were Kalt.

Looks like they are on special right now until midnight (EST, July 24th 2022). I noticed this deal comes and goes.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/82591-REG/General_Brand_NP10112_220_Stainless_Steel_Reel.html "



Thanks for that, Mark. I just ordered 20 220 reels, I have a basket that will hold eighteen rolls. Eventually I will set this up. What a steal


My Stash of 220 Film by Nokton48, on Flickr

Shanghai 220 Testing I like it by Nokton48, on Flickr

Get word to Calzone about this!

 

[Rayt]

What happened to the CineStill 220 campaign? I put in a few hundred bucks but didn’t see any news if it was successful or not.

 

[Nokton48]

"Get word to Calzone about this!"

Message posted to Devil Cal on RFF

 

[benveniste]

I have a 220 insert for my Pentax 645n. It's one of the few pieces of photographic gear I've never used.

 

[davela]

New black and white 220 film is being sold again. It's made by Shanghai in China and sold on eBay, and perhaps some other venues.

 

[Larryc001]

Great topic. Believe it or not I have used 120/220 film. I have two Kodak Medalist cameras. One has been converted to 120. I would also like to try the little adapters for 35mm film they sell on eBay. And I have processed and printed the pictures toh Unfortunately my old arms are not strong enough to hold the camera anymore. However I think my Nikon F4 is at least as heavy. I also have most of the Kodak accessories for these cameras, including ground glass and bulk film backs, filters etc

 

[Larryc001]

Here are some other shelf mates of the Medalists.

 

[ic-racer]

Wow, fantastic collection!

 

[mrosenlof]

I have one of the jumbo-sized 220 developing reels, much easier to load than the "normal" size. I suspect I'll never use it again. I'm very experienced loading metal reels, but the small size 220 reel was a struggle. Wide floppy film and narrow/shallow channels for the film was a tough combo. The jumbo reel has the spiral made from 120-sized wire and is a couple of inches larger in diameter.

When I had a Mamiya 645 system, I removed the little tab from the 220 inserts that told the camera it was 220. I tried one roll this way, but since I also had 120 inserts, never used the "formerly 220" inserts again. I didn't seek out 220 inserts, just got them with the camera.