Running 135 in 127 format cameras?

jay moussy

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Jun 10, 2019
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Eastern MA, USA
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It seems many 127 cameras are languishing on auction sites.

How is the experience (and interest) in running 135 format in these, setting aside the obvious lack of backing paper issue?
 

Donald Qualls

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I should work pretty much the same as it would in a 120 camera. You need to shim as necessary to keep the cassette in position on the supply side, take up to a 127 spool (may need to tape the film leader to the spool), cover the red window, and wind "by guess and by gosh."

Potentially issue is that 127 film on the spool is quite a bit smaller diameter than 120, so the cassette may not fit in the supply well. If that's the case, you'll probably need to respool the 35mm film to a 127 supply spool (in the dark, of course). If you do that, you also have the option to roll it into 127 backing paper and use the camera normally (no guessing on the film advance) except for framing.

It's also easy to cut 120 film to fit on 127 spools; there are 3D printed cutters on the auction site (I've got one) and sold directly by the makers.
 
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