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620 films

Andy Durazo

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Aug 17, 2010
Messages
40
Format
35mm
A student of mine found some old box cameras at a yard sale and they only take 620 film. He has had little success with respooling 120. I'm not sure if there is anyone making real 620 film. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
Hi Andy

If he has 620 spools respool a film for him. He will need two 620 spools.

Some people just file 120s but not sure that works to well.

Noel
 
Does it matter if the feed spool is 120 as long as the take-up is 620?
Frame spacing comes from winding on, which comes from turning the takeup spool, so the film travels the correct distance from the right number of turns, which depends on the diameter of the spindle of the takeup spool, ergo you must have a 620 spool in the takeup position, obviously.
The feed spool just turns freely depending on how much film is pulled from it.
So if you can get a 120 spool in the feed position and it still fits and turns, and feed to a 620 spool in the takeup position, would this not also work?
 
Thanx I'll tell him. He has been re-spooling 120 onto 620 spools and they tend to be too loose and the film fogs. He's gotten some useable images. This is what I mean by little success.
 
Not sure. But sounds logical. I will pass this and see if it works.
 
Xmas said:
Hi Andy

If he has 620 spools respool a film for him. He will need two 620 spools.

Some people just file 120s but not sure that works to well.

Noel
Click to expand...

Thought he only needed one spool. I'll see if he has two as he bought two cameras.
 
Andy Durazo said:
Thanx I'll tell him. He has been re-spooling 120 onto 620 spools and they tend to be too loose and the film fogs. He's gotten some useable images. This is what I mean by little success.
Click to expand...

sounds like he needs to work on his technique -- he has to roll the film first onto another 120 spool (the intermediate spool doesn't matter) and THEN onto a 620 spool -- the way to do that second phase is to roll the leader until you just feel the end of the film,then be sure to tuck it in under the paper as you roll, pushing the film a little ahead of its paper backing so it doesn't take up too much space because of the differences in length. Then keep it tight as you roll -- if you did this right, it should roll on smoothly, otherwise it may push against the taped end when you come to it -- if that happens you can untape that end and let it tape up again naturally.

but keep it pulled tight, is the key. Practice technique outside in the light until you get it right.
 
The trick with respooling 120 onto 620 spools is you need to spool onto another spool first, then carefully back onto a 620 spool. Care must be given getting the film to start properly on the second spool as that end is loose. It doesn't matter if the first spool is 120 or 620 as long as it ends up on the correct spool. Most older Kodak 620 cameras will not accept a 120 spool at all, necessitating respooling. If possible, (meaning it fits without a struggle)feed from a 120 and use a 620 for take up.
 

Spindle size has no effect on the paper backing numbers that determine frame spacing. The whole point of 620 is to keep you from using 120 spools, so the cameras are exactly designed to not allow the 120 spool at either take-up or feed.
 

Spindle size has no effect on the paper backing numbers that determine frame spacing. The whole point of 620 is to keep you from using the popular 120 spools, so the cameras are exactly designed to not allow the 120 spool at either take-up or feed. A confounding lesson to be learned, generation after generation...
 
Dr Croubie said:
Does it matter if the feed spool is 120 as long as the take-up is 620?

So if you can get a 120 spool in the feed position and it still fits and turns, and feed to a 620 spool in the takeup position, would this not also work?
Click to expand...

No, it doesn't matter, and the basis for my Kodak Tourist conversions. I only open up the feed side to accept 120 spooled film, leaving the 620 take up side untouched.
 
FWIW, a few times I've sanded down the ends of some Tri-X 120 and used it in an old duaflex. It was easy and did not take very long. I was worried about the dust/grit getting into the film but it was not a problem. I did use a 620 take-up spool, although I suppose one of the sanded 120 spools would have worked too.

I've got a "foldex 30" camera that can take either and some people like the camera because you can use the camera itself to re-spool 120 to 620. I haven't tried it.
 
Try this link
Dead Link Removed
there are new spools and film.
I've never been very successful in using 120 spools in a 620 camera. Too much problems with jamming.
 
You can get 120 respooled to 620 from B&H and on eBay. I've bought some for an old camera (sheesh, forget the model now, an old Kodak that looks like a TLR but isn't really as the viewfinder is really just a viewfinder) and it was fine. A bit expensive but not too bad for a roll now and then.
 
Rick A said:
No, it doesn't matter, and the basis for my Kodak Tourist conversions. I only open up the feed side to accept 120 spooled film, leaving the 620 take up side untouched.
Click to expand...

I get lots of jamming in a Kodak Duo 645 when using 620 takeup and 120 feed spool (with flanges cut to 620 diameter) due to the difference in axle size.
 
BrianShaw said:
I get lots of jamming in a Kodak Duo 645 when using 620 takeup and 120 feed spool (with flanges cut to 620 diameter) due to the difference in axle size.
Click to expand...

I've never tried to modify any other Kodaks, quite frankly, most models are way too tight for any mods. The Tourist series are probably the best. I have heard of some Medalists being modified though. Kodak was adamant about using their film and spec'd their cameras with tight tolerances so 120 couldn't fit.
 
It must be possible. I was given a camera as a kid and it accepted both 120/620. We're talking 60 years ago so details are not even vague, but it's do-able.
 
I find that respooling is the simplest and most cost effective way to do this. I picked up some 620 spools for next to nothing and I have a few rolls ready. After a few rolls your student should get pretty efficient at it.
 
Another vote for the respool yourself. Use two spools. Keep everything tight as possible through the entire process. Once I got the hang of it I never had a problem.
 
Murray Kelly said:
It must be possible. I was given a camera as a kid and it accepted both 120/620. We're talking 60 years ago so details are not even vague, but it's do-able.
Click to expand...

Yes, but those cameras that will take both 620 and 120 are much less tight in the film chamber specs than the Kodak made cameras. I've modified a couple of Kodak Monitor 620's, a Kodak Chevron and a few others, but I won't do it anymore. My Kodak Medalist cameras get nothing but respooled 120 onto 620 reels. Respooling is a bit of an art, but nothing that the average Joe can't do. John W
 
Murray Kelly said:
It must be possible. I was given a camera as a kid and it accepted both 120/620. We're talking 60 years ago so details are not even vague, but it's do-able.
Click to expand...

Sure, if the camera is designed to accomodate both. Many cameras aren't.
 
BrianShaw said:
Sure, if the camera is designed to accomodate both. Many cameras aren't.
Click to expand...

I think the initial Kodak cameras would only accept 620 cause Kodak had patented the 620 spools so for the validity if the patent you could only use Kodak film unless you respooled.

Some years later they ignored similar Polariod patents.
 
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