Ilford ULF run 2013 and 120 film

[Jim Taylor]

Afternoon all!

I've been looking at the Ilford ULF list for the 2013 run and noticed that they're offering 30m rolls of 120 backing paper.

I understand that the main reason that 120 film is not offered in bulk lengths is because of the backing paper issue.

So, my question is: Is there somewhere that markets 120 film in bulk rolls (17 or 30m) or do people slit 70mm down to 61mm and re-roll that? I've had a look at Ilfords ULF list and can't obviously see that they offer bulk 120 lengths. I've had a look at what others have said on here and those leads have generally come up blank.

Forgive my ignorance, but if there's no source of 120 bulk lengths, I don't understand the need for bulk lengths of 120 backing paper... :confused:

 

[smieglitz]

Perhaps to re-spool 120 to 620 easier.

 

[Alan W]

If they offered bulk rolls of 120 film I'd make rolls of 220 out of it and bring some 220 backs out of retirement.Ho Hum.

 

[Jim Taylor]

Cheers Alan... That was kinda my point... I'm surprised bulk 60mm isn't on the list. The machines must be tooled for it as they already produce 120 in standard film-sized lengths.

Just didn't compute in my head!! Guess its something to do with cost-benefit etc...

 

[cmacd123]

I think that the ULF roll film is an attempt to help folks with older/special cameras. Oviously if you have a 120 camera you can just use regular 120 film which is made by automated machines. You can't just buy 127 for example. A lot of folks still use submini cameras and slit from roll film down to fit the submini cartridges.

Hopefully the rolls will sell well and Simon will be able to persuade his board t offer more options next time.

 

[Jim Taylor]

Hopefully the rolls will sell well and Simon will be able to persuade his board t offer more options next time.

Amen to that!

 

[John Wiegerink]

It does seem puzzling that 127 isn't ask for more often. There were some really sweet 127 camera made. I have an old Icarette 500/12 that is so small it easily fits in my shirt pocket. Yet it gives me a 645 size negative. It also has a 75mm f4.5, crystal clear, uncoated Tessar and the Compur shutter has flash sync to boot. It's the smallest medium format camera I have ever owned and its lens is first rate, but alas, film for it is very limited and hard to come by. If I could get a good supply Delta 100 or FP4+ I'd be as happy as a pig in a mud puddle. JohnW