220 Film

Mogul · Aug 28, 2013

I am new to this forum, having just acquired a Yashica 24 TLR. I haven't shot a TLR in more than 50 years. Because of the model of the camera I have, I need to shoot 220 film. In particular, I would prefer to shoot slow fine grain monochrome, but I am unable to find any sources for 220 film. Could someone please help me by pointing me toward a source for 220 film in general, and slow, fine grain monochrome in particular. I would like to acquire some film now and have it ready when my camera is returned from a much needed CLA. Thank you for your assistance.

Fixcinater · Aug 28, 2013

Nobody makes 220 monochrome format anymore...some of the last was Tri-X, which you would need to find via eBay or similar secondhand good sites. I bought two pro packs of Tri-X 320 ASA just recently, so it is still around. Looks like Fuji ended production of slide film in 2009, Kodak must have been around the same time.

Here's a link for using 120, which sounds very do-able.

Roger Cole · Aug 28, 2013

The only 220 film available new is color neg, mainly for the remaining wedding photographers shooting film, I suspect.

lxdude · Aug 28, 2013

Fixcinater said:
Looks like Fuji ended production of slide film in 2009, Kodak must have been around the same time.

That is incorrect.
Fuji definitely still makes slide film, just not as many types as they used to. Kodak discontinued its last slide film in March 2012, its last reversal movie film later that year.

Roger Cole · Aug 28, 2013

lxdude said:
That is incorrect.
Fuji definitely still makes slide film, just not as many types as they used to. Kodak discontinued its last slide film in March 2012, its last reversal movie film later that year.

I think he meant they quit making it in 220.

You are, of course, totally correct that Fuji still makes slide film in other sizes (for now anyway) albeit only in 50 and 100 speed now, Velvia in both and Provia in the latter.

clayne · Aug 28, 2013

220 film rocks.

fotch · Aug 28, 2013

Hello Mogul and welcome to APUG.

Fixcinater · Aug 28, 2013

lxdude said:
That is incorrect.
Fuji definitely still makes slide film, just not as many types as they used to. Kodak discontinued its last slide film in March 2012, its last reversal movie film later that year.

I knew I should have qualified that: slide film in 220 format.

Ektagraphic · Aug 28, 2013

220 is really great, especially during a portrait session. Having to re-load film while having someone waiting is fairly annoying. Kodak still seems to be offering Portra 160 and Portra 400 in 220. Those are the only 220 films that I know of at this point. I know that the new Ferrania film project mentioned that they have 220 capability so maybe they will eventually offer a 220 film.

ntenny · Aug 28, 2013

I've had fairly good luck lurking on here for old 220 film. Outdated E-6 can have quite a bit of color shift, but I haven't run into any yet that couldn't be handled in digital postprocessing---there seems no longer to be any realistic analog postprocessing for E-6, alas. But if you're targeting projection, color shift obviously would be a concern.

I looked at the user manual for the Yashica 24 and it doesn't say that you can use 120 film in it, but a number of web pages claim you can; maybe it's an undocumented feature? Might be worth a try in any case.

-NT

Roger Cole · Aug 28, 2013

I have some 220 Agfa Optima film I got in a box of 120/220 assorted film off eBay, supposedly frozen since purchased and I've kept it frozen since it arrived last year. It works perfectly.

Ken Nadvornick · Aug 28, 2013

Ektagraphic said:
I know that the new Ferrania film project mentioned that they have 220 capability so maybe they will eventually offer a 220 film.

My hopes are currently pinned on that comment from them. A while back I purchased one of those oversized 4-1/2 inch Nikor SS tanks with a matching 220 reel from Bob Shanebrook ('laser') here on APUG just in case somebody might come along and resurrect the 220 format.

My fingers are crossed.

Ken

railwayman3 · Aug 28, 2013

ntenny said:
I looked at the user manual for the Yashica 24 and it doesn't say that you can use 120 film in it, but a number of web pages claim you can; maybe it's an undocumented feature? Might be worth a try in any case.

-NT

My Yashica 124G (the last model of the Yashica TLR's) switches between 120 and 220 by a simple slide of the pressure plate.

However, checking on the various cameras on http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Yashica_6×6_TLR_(crank_advance) , it seems to indicate that the Yashica-24 was for 220 film (and the similar Yashica-12 for 120 film), so possibly the films are not interchangeable on these models.

erikg · Aug 28, 2013

Ken Nadvornick said:
My hopes are currently pinned on that comment from them. A while back I purchased one of those oversized 4-1/2 inch Nikor SS tanks with a matching 220 reel from Bob Shanebrook ('laser') here on APUG just in case somebody might come along and resurrect the 220 format.

My fingers are crossed.

Ken

I've got one of those too, got it just before Kodak dropped Tri-X 220, wouldn't you figure. Wish they would do TMY but I'm not holding out any hope. You know where to go if you want another big tank!

selmslie · Aug 28, 2013

Roger Cole said:
The only 220 film available new is color neg, mainly for the remaining wedding photographers shooting film, I suspect.

B&H lists Portra 160 and 400, which are color negative films.

Roger Cole · Aug 28, 2013

Um, yes, that's what I said.

And even so it costs more than twice as much as 120 so the only savings is less frequent reloads, which is worth a few cents more to people doing lots of portraits or weddings, but not to me. Heck, 30 shots of 220 in my Mamiya 645 is more annoying than useful. 24 in the Yashicamat is a bit more manageable but I personally find 12-15 just about perfect anyway.

markbarendt · Aug 28, 2013

Roll in 120 and keep count.

220 Film

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