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Brownie Pliant 620 (6x9) to 120 conversion

Discussion in 'Camera Building, Repairs & Modification' started by Rock Poper, Jul 1, 2005.

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  1. Jul 1, 2005 #1
    Rock Poper

    Rock Poper Member

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    howdy,

    I was recently given a Kodak Brownie Pliant six-20 camera - I only really want it if I can use it...

    I have found the left over 620 reel left in it has some similar characteristics to 120 reels ... the film inside film width measurement is the same however the outer flange is 2mm less in diameter at 23mm tho a reasonably wound roll of 120 at 21~22mm would fit into this flange easily...

    I am wondering if anyone has used 120 film in a similar 620 camera - I was thinking of simply rough lathing/filing off the extra 2mm of diameter off the plastic 120 roll to get it into the camera...

    The problem still remains that the 120 reel being made of plastic is 2mm longer in its long dimension also and wont fit into the 620 slot ... there is a metal contraption in there I'm assuming to assist in film flatness and guiding... Can I simply rip it out and use the extra space like a simple Holga style 'bit the film goes into' bit ?

    I'm going to do it anyway, but thought I'd hold tight for a few days to see if anyone knows a better way (;

    ps - i dont want to respool 120 onto 620 reels - I'm much too fumbling in the dark!
     
  2. Jul 1, 2005 #2
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    Rock Poper

    Rock Poper Member

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    for some reason Google is giving me a heap of info on this now... I must have had some odd pref's set or something - anyways, turns out I'm on the right track... I'll keep ya posted .. if anyone is interested ?? :wink:
     
  3. Jul 1, 2005 #3
    Nathan Smith

    Nathan Smith Member

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    I've respooled 120 onto 620 spools many times, but I'm interested in the lathe idea.

    Mark Layne mentioned doing this in another thread but I didn't get around to asking him more about it.

    I have a Shopsmith which can operate as a lathe, but have never used it as such - if you try it, let me know what kind of lathe skill level is required.

    Nathan
     
  4. Jul 2, 2005 #4
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    Rock Poper

    Rock Poper Member

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    you will need the skill level of about a 9 year old :wink: - I tried it today, just got some solid scissors and chopped around the flange so the film was flush (in a semi-dark room, just in case) ...

    The 620 cradle thingy was easy to remove as well, and I managed to keep the roller intact (other instructions advised this was destructive as you had to drill out the rivets, must have been another model cos mine popped right out and back in sweet)

    I am using the only roll i had at the time tho which was Ilford 3200, it spooled onto the 620 spool fine and appears to be werkin! (I'll get the 620 spool back off the lab or develop myself ...)

    However as its 3200 I'll have to wait until I'm working again in a few weeks on the Ballet as I'm going to ask permission to get some backstage shots ... (no flash obviously)

    So I guess the proof's in the puddin' in this case we'll both have to wait a few weeks to see the pic's to be sure its working fine ...
     
  5. Jul 2, 2005 #5
    Nathan Smith

    Nathan Smith Member

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    Yup, I trim the flanges off like that to fit my Adapt-A-Roll, but some cameras are tighter and need a bit trimmed off the ends to fit properly. That's where the lathe would come in handy - you could trim both the length and the girth at the same time and do several rolls in a batch. Then you could insert some short lengths of tubing in the ends to suit the 620 'nub'.

    Of course, this only matters for those cameras that you don't want to convert to use 120 directly.

    Nathan
     
  6. Jul 2, 2005 #6
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    Rock Poper

    Rock Poper Member

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    ya, I read the other thread - I have have managed with mine to do a undestructive conversion... Even though I know I'll never see 620 film, theres something in me that just has to keep hold of the removed 620 cradle bit from the brownie ...

    The trimmed flange roll fitted well in the Pliant once this cradle was removed.. no need to trim its length ...

    Does anyone you know of have a gallery of 620 conversion pictures ? I imagine it would be such a unique community of people who do this, it would be interesting to see other work...