620 Film

Rlibersky · Dec 5, 2005

Has anyone respooled 120 to 620 reels? How difficult is it to get a tight fit? Or would I be better off spending 8.50 a roll at B&H?

Randy

bobfowler · Dec 5, 2005

Rlibersky said:
Has anyone respooled 120 to 620 reels? How difficult is it to get a tight fit? Or would I be better off spending 8.50 a roll at B&H?

Randy

Why not just buy from J&C? They have a machine that cuts down the edges of 120 spools to 620 specs...

Last time I looked, they had 3 B&W and 2 color neg options, and at very good prices.

matt miller · Dec 5, 2005

Respooling is quite simple in my experience. Waste a roll and practice in the light until you are comfortable. The hardest part is getting it started straight, but after it's started and wound around a couple of times it stays in alignment on it's own. When you get to the tape you'll have to gently loosen it to remove the slack, and finish rolling it. It will restick on it's own. I used rubberbands to keep it from unrolling when done. I could only do 4 or 5 rolls in a session before my hands got stiff. It's really a simple process and will save you lots of money over the 620 options out there.

David Brown · Dec 5, 2005

See: Dead Link Removed

Anupam Basu · Dec 5, 2005

It's easy to do. Infact I go from the 120 roll straight to the 620 and use a little piece of tape to hold down the loose end. That way I have to count down instead of up frames 12, 11,10 ...

-A

Rlibersky · Dec 5, 2005

Thanks for the info.

Donald Qualls · Dec 7, 2005

Anupam Basu said:
It's easy to do. Infact I go from the 120 roll straight to the 620 and use a little piece of tape to hold down the loose end. That way I have to count down instead of up frames 12, 11,10 ...

-A

Anupam, you're a genius!! That's got to cut down on the fingerprints, too, and taping the tail will also keep the film from getting "loose" and making a bump when you come to the original header. Not to mention always knowing how much is left, instead of how much is used...

Curt · Dec 8, 2005

buy it from JandC it's just easier than any other method. Unless you can modify the camera to take a roll of 120 and use the 620 as a take up reel. That's what I did with my Agfa. I took the stainless steel holder out and a roll of 120 fits nicely in there and winds great. Just save the 620 take up reels to use over again. You might start with JandC film and keep the reels to use after you get a few rolls. If you don't shoot that much, just buy the JandC, it's not that much in price and it is convenient.

htmlguru4242 · Dec 8, 2005

I've done this as well, and it's not too bad. I just wind the film from one spool to another. I've done this from 120 to 620 and 620 to 120; there both just as easy.

Just be careful not to scratch or fingerprint the emulsion.

nick mulder · Dec 8, 2005

my method is a bit rough and ready but it has worked every time - I just grind down the diameter of the flange of the 120 spool and also a bit off the length.

Many folder only require the flange to be cut, which can be done with a sturdy pair of scissors only.

A lathe would be perfect, but ...

Rlibersky · Dec 8, 2005

I looked at removing the SS holder. This looks like the best possibility, to use a range of film. It is pretty easy to do as well.

I ordered some JandC anyway to give it a try.

Curt · Dec 8, 2005

That's the right move. The stainless steel holder/insert is easy to remove and the roller can be put back in to make space for the 120. In the mean time is you have not done that, determine how much film you will shoot and you might find that JandC will have done the work for you at fair price. Now that's an original shoot!

Rlibersky · Dec 9, 2005

I agree that the price is very fair at JandC. I was hoping to use the Bergger and Plus-x films. I have ordered a few roll from JandC to see what the film looks like.

I believe I'll use quite a bit of film. Am hoping to use this camera for a project of small contact prints, on Velox.

voceumana · Dec 9, 2005

I read somewhere that JandC classic pan 200 is the same as Bergger. I have no idea if this is true, but JandC is very good at getting back to questions quickly, so you might ask them.

As I see it, using cut down 120 spools is the larger diameter spool center. The 620 center diamater is so small, it can be hard to get a good, tight, roll up. 127 had the same problem.

Charlie

620 Film

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