Just got 2 new cameras to play with!

lorirfrommontana · Mar 19, 2009

I just had a freind lend me 2 Kodak Tourist cameras to try out. She thought that it would be good for the 4H kids to see different types of film cameras. Some of them have never used film! They will all do at least one roll in their pinhole (we are makeing the pinholes that take a roll of 35mm) with me as their leader though! One of the cameras, The Tourist seems to be like new. Still in a barely scared box with the owners manuel and hardly any ware on the camera. The other, Tourist II, seems to have gotten a lot of use but seems functional. I'll have to check out bellows on them. My question is. Is it just easiest to find some old 620 film (lots on e-bay) and respool with new 120? I have lots of 120 (just bought it for my Agfa Isolette)!. Or is there another way for these cameras to use 120? I of course can't alter the cameras as they are not mine. Thanks for any help you have! Oh, and now I not only need a 80mm lens for my enlarger but I need a 6x9 negative holder! E-bay here I come!!!
Lori

EdColorado · Mar 20, 2009

Lori, if you have access to a small power sander you can sand the 120 spools down a bit and they will fit right in a 620 camera. All you need to do is shave a bit off the outside of the spool ends, the 120s are just a bit thicker than the 620s. You can do this with the film on the 120 spools, just blow them off when your done. Works great and only takes a few seconds on the sander.

lorirfrommontana · Mar 20, 2009

Cool! I'll give that a try before I purchase 620 spools. I think I'll go play with these camera's tomorow! It's supposed to be nice out.
Lori

Christopher Walrath · Mar 20, 2009

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

Hey, Lori. If any of the kiddies are interested, you too, CiM will be releasing a douible pinhole issue next weekend. Make a 35mm ph camera from a matchbox. It's in there. Have fun and good luck.

dracblau · Mar 20, 2009

I've been able to trim the edges of 120 spools with scissors with no problem.

As for the 35mm pinhole cameras, the dollar stores or 99cent stores sometimes sell 35mm color film. My local 99cent store is selling a no-name brand 200 speed color print film for 99 cents each. I've used it and it looks fine.

ic-racer · Mar 20, 2009

Also, re-spooling onto 620 spools is pretty easy.

So, you spool it all onto a second 120 spool, so that now you have the end tab showing. Put that end tab on the 620 spool and spool it on. When you get to the tape, the film will try to buckle, so peel up the tape and re-affix it to flatten things out, then keep on spooling. It may sound a little complicated but its easier than loading a developing reel.

I have a couple of Tourists. I liked them so much I got serious about 6x9 and got a Horseman. Looking back at 16x20 enlargements made with the Tourist, its hard to tell them from the Horseman.

lorirfrommontana · Mar 20, 2009

I'll be looking for the pinhole articles! I got the first pattern after following a link on CIM's pages! Love reading that. I'll try cutting down the spool with a scisors or sanding today but will probebly want to respool eventually. I can't wait to see those big negatives!!!
Lori

sly · Mar 20, 2009

Lori - make your own neg holder from mat board. Use existing neg holder as a template. Cut opening to size needed. Hinge with tape. Cheap and works fine. I've made a couple over the years and they've lasted quite a long time.

lorirfrommontana · Mar 20, 2009

oh, i never thought of that! guess it would work fine. I have found that the camera dosn't like the thickness of the plastic spools either. I not only had to cut it down in diameter but had to scape of some of the thickness also. I will have to get some old metal ones! Lori

ic-racer · Mar 20, 2009

Also, if re-spooling, make note that the center rod of the 620 spools may have a wide slot and a narrow slot. If so, then make sure you feed the paper leader tab into the wide slot and out the narrow slot. This can sometimes be challenging in the dark, but can also be done in subdued light.

No spools? Usually 'two cameras' means 'two spools' They should not be hard to find.

Also, a typical 80mm enlarging lens will likely vignette the corners. You should seek a 105mm or similar. You have a 23CII? That should cover 6x9. A good rule of thumb for simple cameras is to match the taking lens. You will see the Tourist has a 105mm.

lorirfrommontana · Mar 21, 2009

Unfortunately the 2nd camera didn't have a spool in it but I have some comming thanks to a kind APUG member! Thanks! I developed the first roll and they look ok. I was just messing around and didn't really take pics of any thing good but it works! I have blisters on my fingers from advancing the film as the 120 fit too tight even after shaving it down. It kept catching every turn. Those negatives are big! I can't wait to be able to print them (and the rest of the negatives I've been makeing)! Thanks for all your advice and help.
Lori

Just got 2 new cameras to play with!

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