Not a different base. The paper's different in that it is only at the beginning and end.No 220 B&W on the market. Kodak discontinued the last TXP a while ago and Ilford doesn't have the machines to do it - you would assume it would be easy to do (just make it twice as long) but from a number of discussions, it is not easy at all. Different base, different type of paper and harder sell. So there is some colour and I think there is one-two slide films (don't quote me on that) but that is it. Look at the price for 220 only backs and they are a quarter what a similar 120 back sell for, for this very reason.
That's because the film fits inside the canister, without no need to modify it except for length.The biggest problem I see with 220 roll film is that it can't be used with the much more common 120 backs. I have no idea what MF camera makers thought when they created this mess, small format cameras could use 12, 24 and 36 exposure film without any modification.
Oh, really? For Bronica ETR series, KEH right now has a 220 Ei (Ei=latest) back in EX+ for $29, and a 120 Ei back in BGN for $69. They have a 220 Ei in BGN for $12.By now it's a chicken and egg problem: nobody would buy a 220 film back on the off chance that one gets the film of choice for it and without such a back nobody will buy 220 film. Contrary to was was written here, 220 backs are not offered that much cheaper than 120 backs, at least not on keh or ffordes.
The biggest problem I see with 220 roll film is that it can't be used with the much more common 120 backs. I have no idea what MF camera makers thought when they created this mess, ...
Bronica had the good sense to make a switchable 120/220 back during the era of the S,S2,S2a,EC,EC-TL, and there are some cameras with non-interchangeable backs that have this facility. I suppose it never became a norm because of the added mechanical complexity and maintenance required/risk of failure. Those Bronica 12/24 backs can be finicky, but fortunately they're cheap.
We have good supplies of the new Portra 400 and 160 in 220 - but I believe these are the last films available in the format.
It's encouraging Kodak saw fit to release the new Portra films in 220.
Matt
Other two notable cameras for their switchability between 120 and 220 are the Mamiya C-series and certain Rolleiflex models.
My C330 shoots 220 at the flip of its pressure plate.
My Yashica Mat 124G door has a little plate that you slide up for 220 or down for 120. As well, my RZ 6x6 back has a similar feature for 220 film, where you twist and rotate the plate depending on 120 or 220 film. I still have 2 boxes of 220 TXP in my freezer which I love using.
As a side note, is the biggest problem with using 120 film in a 220 back the film flatness or is there something else like spacing I am missing?
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