Gauging interest: New 122 Film (HP5+)

[MCB18]

Thank you everyone for your advice. Just for the sake of keeping my options open, how would the IKEA idea work with respect to the film? I understand having the film not attached to the spool and paper so it doesn't react to the paper if its stored for months, but what could the film be kept in that it wouldn't react to?

You can just store it in light tight plastic bags. You can find some on freestyle, that’s how I ship most of my film. I would recommend putting it in two black bags in a rigid container (cardboard box works).

 

[mshchem]

Thank you everyone for your advice. Just for the sake of keeping my options open, how would the IKEA idea work with respect to the film? I understand having the film not attached to the spool and paper so it doesn't react to the paper if its stored for months, but what could the film be kept in that it wouldn't react to?

Black plastic bag in a black plastic box similar to Kodak 35mm 100'

 

[Don_ih]

I would recommend putting it in two black bags in a rigid container (cardboard box works).

That seems to be the best option. If you were willing to cut to length and then sell 5 spools-worth of film packaged that way, you'd probably do good business and be providing a service people would appreciate. Once you start providing a "finished" product, you open yourself more to the complaints that accompany such things. And @blee1996 is totally correct. The main customers for that film will be people who don't mind winding their own spools (especially if they think it'll save them some money).

 

[BrianShaw]

Perhaps, but I wouldn't be interested. Finished product of this type is fine with me even with caveats to use quickly and no guarantee. And I'm well-versed in rolling and re-rolling film.

 

[mshchem]

What's really needed is 500 sheet boxes Azo, on cardstock, printed backs, "place 1 cent stamp here"

Those were the good old days

 

[BrianShaw]

Yes, the good old days. They really were good in some, but not all, ways.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

sorry nointerest;never liked HP5 anyway.

 

[LibraryTroll]

My short answer to your original question is, "Yes, I'd be interested in 122 film." However, my interest would probably be limited to something even less than my occasional use of "common" 127 film. I am intrigued by the prospect (nostalgia) of using the native film format in its intended camera!

I own a Kodak No.3A Folding Brownie, Model A, in what appears to be very good condition given its age. One of my future projects is to test it with 120 film once I design and 3D print spool adapters and a film mask. I'm really encouraged to do that now after reading this post. I would like to see the test results of this lower cost alternative before committing to the expense actual 122 film.

I question using Ilford's HP5+, but I understand the choice. It always seems more readily available in the ULF sizes listed by vendors than the Ilford FP4+ option. My choice mirrors what others have stated in preference for FP4 when using vintage cameras of limited apertures and shutter speeds.

Final thoughts:
* Ilford FP4+ (but HP5+ can work if that's what you can get for price point reasons)
* Sold as individual film / backing paper for DIY confectioning (Single roll/paper or 5 rolls / paper)
* Spools as option (The likely initial market folks probably have enough spare spools to try the first round offering. I checked my vintage spool stash... I'm good to start. )

 

[BrianShaw]

I own a Kodak No.3A Folding Brownie, Model A, in what appears to be very good condition given its age. One of my future projects is to test it with 120 film once I design and 3D print spool adapters and a film mask. I'm really encouraged to do that now after reading this post. I would like to see the test results of this lower cost alternative before committing to the expense actual 122 film.

I'm on my 2nd iteration of 120 adapters using a 3-A B2 model. The first iteration worked okay. This iteration seems like it will be better. Both were adapters bought on ebay. Much more cost-effective (for me) than designing and printing. There's an old thread somewhere on Photrio about my first 120-adapter saga.

But what I'm really excited about is the possibility of 122 film so there's no need for adapters... but only if it's a slow film because my only instantaneous shutter speed is 1/50 sec.

 

[MCB18]

I would like to see the test results of this lower cost alternative before committing to the expense actual 122 film.

I have a thread about this film on here, results are not exactly great. Nothing to do with 122, the film itself is just not that great.

Would anyone be interested in testing some film?

Hi all! I know that this is an odd request, but if anyone wants to try some pretty off-the-wall film basically for free, this is your chance! I recently got a very large roll of Kodak 2465 Microfilm, and was wondering if anyone would be willing to test some of it in various developers to see...

www.photrio.com

 

[Don_ih]

my only instantaneous shutter speed is 1/50 sec

That is the main issue with the cameras that film fits in. Very few have complex shutters. Some have meniscus lenses and a single (slow) shutter speed (plus bulb).

 

[mshchem]

I wonder if the amazing commercial real photo postcards of main street scenes and railroad depots are from glass plates in adapted commercial cameras? These views were certainly created using a tripod and a cable release, also contact printing. The detail in these cards is amazing.

 

[blee1996]

My Kodak Autographic 3A has a Kodak Anastigmat 135 mm F/6.3 lens and a Kodamatic shutter with speeds from 1/2 to 1/200 sec. It even has a coupled rangefinder for precise focusing. On a tripod, I got amazingly good photos using expired Kodak Verichrome Pan film. I will certainly be happy to use those negatives to make contact prints of postcards to send to my family during holidays.

 

[mshchem]

My Kodak Autographic 3A has a Kodak Anastigmat 135 mm F/6.3 lens and a Kodamatic shutter with speeds from 1/2 to 1/200 sec. It even has a coupled rangefinder for precise focusing. On a tripod, I got amazingly good photos using expired Kodak Verichrome Pan film. I will certainly be happy to use those negatives to make contact prints of postcards to send to my family during holidays.

Coupled rangefinder??

 

[blee1996]

Coupled rangefinder??

Yes, like this one. I was also astonished that such an old camera can have coupled rangefinder!

The first coupled Rangefinder: Kodak No. 3A - Vintage-photo

Review of the No. 3A Autographic Kodak Special, the first coupled rangefinder camera.

vintage-photo.nl

 

[Romanko]

Ilford FP4+ is a better film stock for 122 cameras.

I have several spools both metal and with the wood core and some Verichrome Pan backing paper which could still be reused, so I am mostly interested in the film, preferably cut into 6 frame lengths.

Also, older 116 type spools with the wood core have the same metal flanges as type 122. If you make a new wooden core or 3D print that part you can convert it to type 122 spool. Metal type 116 spools could be used as well but would require more work.

I am concerned that shipping costs to Australia and tariffs could make it prohibitively expensive, though.

 

[Don_ih]

My Kodak Autographic 3A has a Kodak Anastigmat 135 mm F/6.3 lens and a Kodamatic shutter with speeds from 1/2 to 1/200 sec. It even has a coupled rangefinder

That's a good one - and considerably better than most.

I wonder if the amazing commercial real photo postcards of main street scenes and railroad depots are from glass plates in adapted commercial cameras?

I have a Premo 3a that has ground glass and takes postcard-size glass plate holders (I made film sheathes). I think that as a plate size predates the roll film.