Any trick to re-spooling 120 to 620

[Dan Daniel]

New injection molded spools are also available here.
Dead Link Removed

The Film Photography Project 620 spools are nicely made. The plastic is smooth and strong and well-injected- no sinks, spurs, flashing, etc. All dimensions are good EXCEPT that they are taller than standard 620 spools. The side flanges are thicker than the metal flanges on old 620 spools; I assume this is simply a material requirement. They couldn't narrow the internal width or the film with paper simply wouldn't fit. So they added the extra material to the outside.

I asked the FPP people about this before getting some and they said that they had heard of problems with Kodak Medalist cameras, the camera I use. I ordered some just for fun. They do fit in the TAKEUP side of a Kodak Medalist, but they DO NOT fit the FEED side. The spools are too tall.

I use the FPP spools as takeup spools. I roll onto metal spools for the feed side. Works out fine.

The actual increase in height (or width?) is about 1.3mm, or 1/16" inch. I think that most cameras that take 620 will have no problem with this. Put a metal spool in both sides and see if there is some slop.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Dan, why don't you simply use metal 620 spools?

 

[Pioneer]

Just pick up some 620 spools. I did the 120 spool mod once but decided I didn't want to do it again.

I don't bother spooling off to a second spool. I just unwind the film in a loose roll, then wind it onto the 620 spool.

I let the film bulge a bit, when I get to the tape I just carefully untape and then reattach it so the bulge is gone.

My biggest problem used to be keeping the paper and film straight on the receiving 620 spool. After a bit of practice doing it though I don't seem to have that problem any longer.

 

[moto-uno]

^ +1 for that method and for an even easier method , if you buy a few pre-trimmed rolls from Blue Moon
you don't even have to retape when you reroll onto their 120 spools . And yes they are a perfect fit in the
Medalist and I've reused their rolls for over 5 years now without a hitch. My 2 cents ! Peter

 

[Jim Andrada]

I'm using the FPP plastic 620 spools in both take up and feed sides of the Medalist. They're tight but so far no problems. Once I get a few inches of the leader out of the supply side it works OK, although the first couple of wraps are tight.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Dan, why don't you simply use metal 620 spools?

Because I was curious and I was tired of waiting for reasonable prices on metal spools. I spool up 5-10 rolls at time for road trips and such.

 

[Scott Gibson]

I'm using the FPP plastic 620 spools in both take up and feed sides of the Medalist. They're tight but so far no problems. Once I get a few inches of the leader out of the supply side it works OK, although the first couple of wraps are tight.

I also used the FPP spools in both the feed and takeup side, before realizing that they are indeed bigger than the original metal spools. On my Medalist they made the film advance EXTREMELY tight. I eventually gave in and bought a bunch overpriced metal spools on the 'bay, out of fear of damaging the winding/transport mechanism. Just IMO but the cost savings of the FPP spools aren't worth the potential for damaging the camera.

 

[klop]

I will tell you what I learned the hard way. Some 620 spools are good for respooling 120 film and some are not. If I remember right the ansco spools where the best because the where slightly wider than the others.
This made it easier to respool. Kodak spools where to tight if I remember right.... Its been a couple years.....

 

[r.reeder]

I stumbled on to this thread, & wondered if this would help in respooling. I find it easier to respool with this little tool. It keeps the film/paper straight, & I find that the film 'bump' is minimal, if it exists at all. 120 spool to a 620spool, then 620 to 620.

 

[BrianShaw]

Nice tool!