6x6 Folder & 220 film?

[Thorpelyon]

Any recommendations (other than Fuji's GF670 or the Bessa III) for a folder that takes 220 film? I'm heading to Europe, and would like to shoot some 220, but would prefer a slimmer form factor than my Rolleiflex or Yashica TLRs.

 

[Trask]

That's an interesting question. If it's an old folder that uses a red window to read the frame number, I'd assume using 220 would not be a problem. Only cameras that link the film advance to a film counter that is limited to 12 exposures would be problematic. But that's speculation not backed up by personal experience, so I look forward to reading a more informed response to your question. Good luck!

 

[Mike Bates]

Yeah, a red window is absolutely going to be a problem for 220 film since it only has backing paper at the beginning and end of the roll.

 

[Trask]

Yeah, a red window is absolutely going to be a problem for 220 film since it only has backing paper at the beginning and end of the roll.

You got me -- I literally just remembered that about 10 seconds ago. Remind me not to post stupid responses when I should be sleeping...

 

[macfred]

deleted

 

[keenmaster486]

Well, the red window could easily be taped.

But then you'd have to guess at how many turns per frame while winding...

 

[macfred]

Mamiya 6 takes 220 film https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamiya_6
--

A less expensive 6x4.5 folding rangefinder that takes 220 film is the FUJI GS645 with EBC Fujinon 3.4/75
http://www.120folder.com/fuji_gs645.htm

 

[Thorpelyon]

Mamiya 6 takes 220 film https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamiya_6
--

A less expensive 6x4.5 folding rangefinder that takes 220 film is the FUJI GS645 with EBC Fujinon 3.4/75
http://www.120folder.com/fuji_gs645.htm

I wasn't aware of Fuij's GS645... thanks so much.

 

[Hatchetman]

If 220 were available, I'd sacrifice a roll and plot out a chart with winder turns vs. exposure number. Maybe increments of 5. wouldn't bee too hard. But I don't want to waste a roll!

 

[Chrismat]

If 220 were available, I'd sacrifice a roll and plot out a chart with winder turns vs. exposure number. Maybe increments of 5. wouldn't bee too hard. But I don't want to waste a roll!

The only problem with that is that as the roll of 220 empties less turns are needed to get to the next frame. I use 120 film in old Kodak folders that originally took 116 film. When I load the camera I use about 9 1/2-10 turns initially to get to the beginning of the film and use 2 1/2 turns for the first two frames, then 2 turns, 1/34, etc. I get about 6 shots per roll that way.

 

[Sirius Glass]

After the red window is blocked, exactly how would you know how far to advance the film? Stick to what works, 120 film.

 

[gijsbert]

Not 6x6 but a Fujifilm GA645 or GA645w (+i versions are slightly newer) can take 220, and not that expensive, good cameras too, I love my GA645wi! And its automatic, even with 120 pretty easy to load them 16 shots.

 

[Harry Stevens]

The OP talks as though 220 is available the only 220 I ever came across wanted £20.00 a roll and at the time I could get a 5 pack of most other fresh 120 brands for that money........60 shots for the price of 24.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I agree. 220 is hard to find, limited in choices, and difficult to find places to process now. Why ask for problems?

 

[PittP]

recommendations (other than Fuji's GF670 or the Bessa III)

Do you lean to 6x7? The Plaubel Makina 67 or 670 (last incarnation) are marvellous cameras, very convenient to use, and take 220. Unfortunately, asking prices now went beyond astronomical levels. Also note the shutter is a bit noisy. BTW, where do you get 220?????

 

[Thorpelyon]

Do you lean to 6x7? The Plaubel Makina 67 or 670 (last incarnation) are marvellous cameras, very convenient to use, and take 220. Unfortunately, asking prices now went beyond astronomical levels. Also note the shutter is a bit noisy. BTW, where do you get 220?????

There is of a ton of 220 on eBay. All of it expired, of course, but still very usable. Some of it's overpriced... I never pay more than $6/roll. I've also started to pick up some 70mm rolls of film so I can start rolling my own 220. I just find it more convenient to get 24 shots (or 32 6x4.5) per roll.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

There is of a ton of 220 on eBay. All of it expired, of course, but still very usable. Some of it's overpriced... I never pay more than $6/roll. I've also started to pick up some 70mm rolls of film so I can start rolling my own 220. I just find it more convenient to get 24 shots (or 32 6x4.5) per roll.

I do not understand. You are going on a trip to a place where you may never return or may see scenes that won't be repeated. And you are risking using expired film of an an unknown provenance? Just go buy fresh 120 film unless you are absolutely sure that the expired film was frozen all those years.

 

[ic-racer]

Just go buy fresh 120 film

^^This^^

 

[Sirius Glass]

+!

 

[Thorpelyon]

I do not understand. You are going on a trip to a place where you may never return or may see scenes that won't be repeated. And you are risking using expired film of an an unknown provenance? Just go buy fresh 120 film unless you are absolutely sure that the expired film was frozen all those years.

Actually, this will be my twelfth trip to France/Italy. I've already got scads of lovely digital and unexpired film photos from those previous excursions. I'm just trying to shake it up a bit this time... have fun with a little experimentation.

 

[nosmok]

I discovered that one can use 220 in a Kodak Monitor 620, but that's 6x9. However, the way it works on the Monitor is just to re-dial the film counter to 1 after the first 8 have been shot. So if you have a 6x6 camera with automatic- ie non-red window -wind, you could try that if you feel that moving the dial like that won't break the mechanism. I might try it on a Hapo 66 or some other auto-wind folder that nobody loves over-much.

 

[removed account4]

hi thorpelyon

sorry in advance for my cluelessness !
if it is a modern camera ( fuji or mamiya ) and you crank the winder
i don't think there is a way to modify the advance mechanism to take 220, unless
it is an option for that particular camera ( maybe the internet has a hack to add the extra frames? ) .
there are other cameras ( including tlr's like the yashicas ) that had a way to shift the pressure plate in the back to allow for 220 .
if it is an actual old ( like " vintage vest / strut camera" ) folder ( if you like the meniscus look maybe think of something along the lines of a 1920s box
or a hawkeye or panoramic, try an autographic 122 ) i'd burn a roll of film and see how many winds it takes to go from one frame to the next.
put gaffer tape ( or other light proof ) over the ruby window and tape your map on the back of the camera and have fun. just make sure your tape is really light proof. i did this
with an old roll-back and the tape wasn't as light proof as i had hoped and i got a light streak across the whole roll ...
ez to fix "these days" with modern tech, but a PITA 25-30 years ago ...

have fun on your trip !
john

ps. don't worry about all the " just get some 120 film " people, they sometimes don't get it

 

[Thorpelyon]

I discovered that one can use 220 in a Kodak Monitor 620, but that's 6x9. However, the way it works on the Monitor is just to re-dial the film counter to 1 after the first 8 have been shot. So if you have a 6x6 camera with automatic- ie non-red window -wind, you could try that if you feel that moving the dial like that won't break the mechanism. I might try it on a Hapo 66 or some other auto-wind folder that nobody loves over-much.

Good tip... thanks!

 

[Thorpelyon]

hi thorpelyon

sorry in advance for my cluelessness !
if it is a modern camera ( fuji or mamiya ) and you crank the winder
i don't think there is a way to modify the advance mechanism to take 220, unless
it is an option for that particular camera ( maybe the internet has a hack to add the extra frames? ) .
there are other cameras ( including tlr's like the yashicas ) that had a way to shift the pressure plate in the back to allow for 220 .
if it is an actual old ( like " vintage vest / strut camera" ) folder ( if you like the meniscus look maybe think of something along the lines of a 1920s box
or a hawkeye or panoramic, try an autographic 122 ) i'd burn a roll of film and see how many winds it takes to go from one frame to the next.
put gaffer tape ( or other light proof ) over the ruby window and tape your map on the back of the camera and have fun. just make sure your tape is really light proof. i did this
with an old roll-back and the tape wasn't as light proof as i had hoped and i got a light streak across the whole roll ...
ez to fix "these days" with modern tech, but a PITA 25-30 years ago ...

have fun on your trip !
john

ps. don't worry about all the " just get some 120 film " people, they sometimes don't get it

Thanks, John... appreciate the advice.