Bronica 220 v 120

[Remygade]

I understand 220 film is no longer available. I am thinking of buying a Zenza Bronica camera and wonder if there are separate backs for 120 and 220 film? Can the 220 backs take 120 film?
Thanks.
Remy

 

[darkroommike]

Which Bronica? Bronica made a lot of cameras over the years in formats ranging from 645 all the way up to 6x7. Most, not all, employ a roll film carriage and and outer shell.

 

[reddesert]

Roughly here is a summary:

Bronica S/S2 (6x6): early backs 120, later backs have a 12/24 switch ie 120/220
EC (6x6): back has 12/24 switch
Switch is on back shell. The inserts for the early (non-switchable) vs the late backs are different. There are 6x4.5 backs, not terribly common.

ETR (645), SQ (6x6), GS-1 (6x7): each of these have backs that are either 120 or 220, not switchable, and labeled on the side or top. The back shell is the same between the 120 and 220 of a given type, the film carrier is different. There are small generational differences within a format, like a SQ-i back is a bit different from an SQ back, but they interchange between SQ type cameras.

You can physically put 120 film into a 220 back for an ETRS / SQ / GS-1 and wind it, but the frame spacing may be off and you'll have to wind off some extra exposures past the end. There may be a tiny focus offset in the film plane that you would be unlikely to notice in practice, unless perhaps shooting lenses wide open. Using a 220 back is a bit makeshift but perhaps attractive as a spare since they are now less expensive than the 120 backs.

I don't know about the later rangefinder cameras, but I don't think they have interchangeable backs.

 

[mshchem]

I would find a camera with a 120 back

 

[Truzi]

Unlike 120 film, 220 does not have backing paper, only a leader and tail. Some backs are made specifically with this in mind. With backing paper in a 220 back where it is not expected, the film may not sit right.
Thus, as reddesert said, there may be a focus offset.

I have a Bronica GS-1, and use 120 in both 120 & 220 backs, and it works for my purposes - no noticeable issues.
I've not measured frame spacing or examined very fine sharpness/focus; but I just take snapshots. Everything appears fine for my usage, but I'm not doing anything critical or precise.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I understand 220 film is no longer available. I am thinking of buying a Zenza Bronica camera and wonder if there are separate backs for 120 and 220 film? Can the 220 backs take 120 film?
Thanks.
Remy

Welcome to APUG Photrio!!​

 

[Rick A]

My experience with the Bronica SQ-A and SQ-Am is you can run 120 film in the 220 back. When the end of the 120 roll gets to the end the advance just winds through.