620 film

[Marcus]

Can anybody tell where I can buy 620 film (B+W).

 

[elekm]

Are you in the U.S.? Because you should say if you're in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. or elsewhere.

In the U.S., you can buy 620 film from B&H.

However, the cheaper alternative is to get some 620 spools and respool 120.

The film is identical, and the only difference between 120 and 620 is the spool. The 620 spool has smaller end caps and a thinner spindle.

 

[Marcus]

Hi, sorry, should have said, I'm in UK.

 

[bdial]

Efke makes 620 if you can find shops that sell it, or that can order it. Howevr, most people I know who use 620 use Elekm's method and respool it, but you do need a second 620 spool. Also, some cameras have enough room around the spindle to use 120, so it might be good to try that route first.

 

[P C Headland]

Hi

Try Dead Link Removed.

Respooling is the other option, and gives you a much greater choice of film.

 

[BWGirl]

I love this... poor Marcus asks about 620 film, and everyone says "re-spool" like this is an activity everyone does everyday. :rolleyes:

Forgive them Marcus... here's a link with excellent instructions on respooling 120 film onto 620 reels... of course this means that you will need to have a couple 620 reels.

http://www.brownie-camera.com/respool/respool.shtml

 

[Bob F.]

As said, you may be able to use 120 straight out of the packet depending on the camera. The main difference is a slightly different spool size and some old cameras will take 120 with or without a little persuasion... Apparently, it can help if you have a 620 spool core for the take-up spool, but my only 620 oldie (Ross Ensign Selfix Snapper) does not need it and works fine with 120 film spools. [When I say "works fine" I mean mechanically - the actual pictures look like they were taken through the bottom of a milk bottle... ]

Good luck, Bob.

 

[Frank R]

I remember seeing a picture of a full 120 spool that was reduced in diameter by someone using a pair of diagonal-cutting pliers in about 20 seconds. It wasn't pretty but it was effective, and there was no need for respooling. Just clip off all the metal on the spool flanges as close to the film as possible.

 

[Shmoo]

Also, when you get the 620 film spools, save them and re-use them with 120 film (respooling). If you get your film developed by someone else, specify that you want the spools back. It can save you some money to respool.

 

[copake_ham]

A while back my Dad gave me his old Kodak Duolux - a dog of a camera. It only takes 620 (there is even a warning printed inside saying not to use 120).

I decided I wanted to try and use it at a family get together this coming weekend as a nostalgia thing. (Dad used to always chop off heads with this camera!).

I used Mr. Google and found a service that offers both respooled Tri-X and Fujicolor. I ordered three rolls of each and received them quickly.

Just hope we get Sunny/16 on Saturday - with this camera I'm going to need all the help I can get!

 

[Marcus]

I love this... poor Marcus asks about 620 film, and everyone says "re-spool" like this is an activity everyone does everyday. :rolleyes:

Forgive them Marcus... here's a link with excellent instructions on respooling 120 film onto 620 reels... of course this means that you will need to have a couple 620 reels.

http://www.brownie-camera.com/respool/respool.shtml

Thank you ALL for your kind replies!!

I am aware that I may have to respool eventually, but it would be nice if I could actually purchase some rolls of 620 film to start with.

Yes I do own 2 spools of that size already, but would like to BUY some before I do respool. The extra spools would be nice. I have reduced a 120 spool without film on it, a bit of an effort but seems to fit. Haven't respooled film to it yet.

So, if anybody knows where I can BUY some 620 film.

Thanks again for all your replies,

Marcus

 

[Shmoo]

http://www.filmforclassics.com/

I know B&H sells 620 film rolls, and I've heard about "filmforclassics" but haven't used them...

 

[P C Headland]

...

So, if anybody knows where I can BUY some 620 film.

Thanks again for all your replies,

Marcus

As mentioned in my previous repy, Retrophotographic (who are in the UK) sells 620 film.

 

[fhovie]

The camera will likely over expose - most of my old shutters are at least a stop slow below 50th of a second

 

[Marcus]

Hi everyone,

Just to let you all know, I managed to reduce a spool with film on it & exposed the film, and I have now developed the film and EVERYTHING has come out perfectly!!!!

12 square pictures all in a row. Some a little dark/light due to bad light at time, but a decent set of negatives through & through.

I will now do this again and get some better shots. Maybe I will 'respool' one day.

To all you proper photographers out there, I Thank you again for all your advice!

Marcus

 

[Frank R]

I managed to reduce a spool with film on it

How did you go about doing this?

 

[Marcus]

Hi Frank,

Find a piece of sandpaper, and then rub the end of the spool down to the desired size.

I practiced with an empty 620 spool. Good practice is better then none.

Do you have a 620 spool to measure from?

Marcus

 

[Roger Hicks]

Hi, sorry, should have said, I'm in UK.

Isn't the 'London, England' under your name a bit of a give-away?

I'd not recommend re-spooling 120. I've tried it a number of times without easy success. Certes I'd buy 620 if I had the choice, even given the price premium.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

I was recommended re-spooling, but cutting down a 120 spool has worked fine for me too. I use a pair of scissors, quicker than sandpaper. I started out trying to use nail clippers to get something more circular or something - didnt work.
Who knew you could break 3 sets of nail clippers on a film spool...who knew I wouldn't learn after I broke the first two...

 

[removed account4]

hi marcus

if you have the funds, you can have ken ruth at bald mountain camera
convert your 620 to 120 ... he does this sort of thing with medalist cameras
maybe he can help you with yours, if you can't find the film, or don't want to "deal" with respooling or adapt-a-spooling ...

http://www.baldmtn.com/

good luck!

john

 

[Deleted member 20172]

No need to respool

I had a 620 camera and found an easy an cheap solution:
The 620 spools are the same width that 120 spool. I just added cylindric pieces inside the holes of the 120 spools an they became 620 spools. Just use that cylinder parts used to maintain electronic printed circuit away from the support. There are available in different length, are easy to find any cheap. You need 4 of them, 2 for the empty 120 spool, 2 for the 120 film. Worked perfectly for my old camera.

 

[Marcus]

Isn't the 'London, England' under your name a bit of a give-away?

Yes it is, but when the question was asked I didn't have this written in - so I added it after the question was asked!!

Marcus

 

[Marcus]

The 620 spools are the same width that 120 spool.

620 spools are the same width/length as 120 spools but the diameter is smaller on 620 spools. Therein lies the potential promlem.

Not all cameras will physically accept 120 spool due to the diameter, hence me either trying to respool or to reduce (somehow) the diameter.

Marcus

 

[juliawells]

does anyone know where you could buy 620 film if you live in New Zealand, that doesn't mean huge shipping costs?