Is anyone making 220 film?

Zelph · May 14, 2018

Have a few film backs for 220 film. Would like to use them if at all possible.
Is any company making 220 film these days?
For me, B&W is what I like. Others may prefer color.

Old and outdated film is not on the menu so current production is all I consider.

MattKing · May 14, 2018

RattyMouse · May 14, 2018

You can get 160NS in 220 size in Japan.

MattKing · May 14, 2018

RattyMouse said:
You can get 160NS in 220 size in Japan.

My understanding is that production has ceased, but there is remaining inventory.

RattyMouse · May 14, 2018

MattKing said:
My understanding is that production has ceased, but there is remaining inventory.

To the OP: Get it while you can.

K-G · May 14, 2018

It can be possible to fix it yourself if you order a roll of 70mm unperforated Ilford HP5+ and extra backing paper from the Ilford ULF program for 2018. You will have to slit the film yourself and there may be a slight risk for scratches on the back side of the film. Comersial 220-films used to have a separate anti-scratch layer on the back side from what I have been told.
But hurry in that case because orders must be in latest at May 25th. I'm enclosing a link to the British Silverprint´s information page about it. You can probably find your best dealer from there.
Good luck !

Karl-Gustaf

https://www.silverprint.co.uk/ilford-ulf-2015-ultra-large-format-custom-and-special-film/

Gerald C Koch · May 14, 2018

Seriously doubt it. The main users were wedding photographers now everything is digital.

Gerald C Koch · May 14, 2018

K-G said:
It can be possible to fix it yourself if you order a roll of 70mm unperforated Ilford HP5+ and extra backing paper from the Ilford ULF program for 2018. You will have to slit the film yourself and there may be a slight risk for scratches on the back side of the film. Comersial 220-films used to have a separate anti-scratch layer on the back side from what I have been told.
But hurry in that case because orders must be in latest at May 25th. I'm enclosing a link to the British Silverprint´s information page about it. You can probably find your best dealer from there.
Good luck !

Karl-Gustaf

https://www.silverprint.co.uk/ilford-ulf-2015-ultra-large-format-custom-and-special-film/

APUGERS have contacted THE ONE REMAINING MAKER OF BACKING PAPER -- the will not sell to individuals. So unless you have a stash of used paper you are SOL.

guangong · May 14, 2018

Many years ago I tried shooting 220 with my Rolleiflex TLR but found that 24 frames was just too many for the way I shoot MF. 12 frames seems to be just about right. The comment about wedding photographers seems to make sense.

Ian Grant · May 14, 2018

Gerald C Koch said:
Seriously doubt it. The main users were wedding photographers now everything is digital.

I've know(n) a lot of other Pro photographers here in the UK and none ever even used 220 film. I've had 220 capable cameras since the 1970's and can't remember seeing 220 film on a dealers shelf.

My E6 lab supplied my film, I don't remember 220 ever being an option.

Ian

K-G · May 14, 2018

Gerald C Koch said:
APUGERS have contacted THE ONE REMAINING MAKER OF BACKING PAPER -- the will not sell to individuals. So unless you have a stash of used paper you are SOL.

According to the dealer and item list for Ilford ULF 2018 ( I found it after my first post ) they offer 120-backing paper in 100 feet rolls and I suppose this can be cut to fit the 220-size rolls also.

Karl-Gustaf

https://www.ilfordphoto.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ULF-2018-Items_Participants-sb.pdf

AgX · May 14, 2018

Gerald C Koch said:
APUGERS have contacted THE ONE REMAINING MAKER OF BACKING PAPER -- the will not sell to individuals. So unless you have a stash of used paper you are SOL.

I read about such contact by Apuggers for the very first time.

gorbas · May 14, 2018

You can use parts of existing 120 backing paper to make 220 film. Last year I did just opposite, made 120 from 220. Had one roll and no 220 back. It worked. As for slitting 70mm to 61mm for 120 or 220, it has to be unperforated and is major pia, but doable if you don't have anything smarter to do. Life is to short. Just stick to 120 film and make nice paper weights from 220 magazines

Sirius Glass · May 14, 2018

RattyMouse said:
To the OP: Get it while you can.

+1

Alan W · May 14, 2018

They do.It's twice the price here in Tn.

Paul Howell · May 14, 2018

Rather than spend the time and money sourcing 220 just a few more 120 backs.

fjpod · May 14, 2018

Depending on your camera, there are many threads on here and on YouTube that show you how to convert 220 backs to 120.

BrianShaw · May 14, 2018

AgX said:
I read about such contact by Apuggers for the very first time.

I must have asked a thousand time the name of this mystery company. Nobody seems to know. Nobody is able to say who is this mystery company. Me too... I’m not buying the story.

iakustov · May 15, 2018

There is some Velvia 100 available in 220 with expiry in 2019, but this may end soon as Fuji discontinued 220 film.
I like 220 film and still have some rolls of Portra and Velvia to shoot.

jim appleyard · May 15, 2018

Ian Grant said:
I've know(n) a lot of other Pro photographers here in the UK and none ever even used 220 film. I've had 220 capable cameras since the 1970's and can't remember seeing 220 film on a dealers shelf.

My E6 lab supplied my film, I don't remember 220 ever being an option.

Ian

Wow, 220 was 90% of my film diet. I'd shoot the occasional 120 b/w or 120 Portra 800 on a dark day, but 220 was great, 30 shots with my ETR before changing. Wish it was still made.

RattyMouse · May 15, 2018

I have a bunch of Astia 100F 220 size in the freezer. Rare as hen's teeth.

Ian Grant · May 15, 2018

jim appleyard said:
Wow, 220 was 90% of my film diet. I'd shoot the occasional 120 b/w or 120 Portra 800 on a dark day, but 220 was great, 30 shots with my ETR before changing. wish it was still made.

It may have been that 220 film wasn't marketed as well in the UK, my cameras were/are capable of using it. I would have used it if readily available off my dealers or labs shelf particularly in my Mamiya 645s.

Ian

Agulliver · May 15, 2018

As a UK photographer (strictly amateur) since the late 70s, the first time I heard of 220 was sometime after 2010. I finally realised why my Kiev 6C has an adjustable pressure plate for 120/220. Never heard of the format, never saw it in a shop , never came across anyone using it. Even the people who taught me photography at school never mentioned it....we covered 135, 120, 126, 127 and 110 (though only 135 was used there). I never read about it in any books on photography either. So I am thinking it was a very small niche here.

That said, I would use the occasional roll if it was available, especially in my favourite B&W films. I seem to recall Dave Bias of Film Ferrania saying that there are considerable differences between producing 120 and 220....and just because a company can do 120 doesn't mean they can also do 220. It's not on their radar as far as I know.

Arthurwg · May 15, 2018

I can practically guarantee that someone in China is gearing up now to make the backing paper.

MattKing · May 15, 2018

Arthurwg said:
I can practically guarantee that someone in China is gearing up now to make the backing paper.

And what about the machine for actually putting it together with the film.
It was the cost of repairing or replacing their machine, plus the minimum order purchase requirements of the backing paper manufacturer, that forced Ilford to cease selling 220.
Ironically, Kodak might have been better off if they could have switched from 120 to 220 - no wrapper offset issues.

Is anyone making 220 film?

Zelph

MattKing

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RattyMouse

MattKing

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RattyMouse

K-G

Gerald C Koch

Gerald C Koch

guangong

Ian Grant

K-G

AgX

gorbas

Sirius Glass

Alan W

Paul Howell

fjpod

BrianShaw

iakustov

jim appleyard

RattyMouse

Ian Grant

Agulliver

Arthurwg

MattKing

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Is anyone making 220 film?

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