What do I do with a Kodak Monitor?

[semi-ambivalent]

I just learned my brother is sending me our father's Kodak Monitor, apparently pristine and complete with box, instructions and sales receipt. A quick google implies 'Where do I even get film for this?' Well, can I even get film for this?

thanks,
s-a

 

[Ian Grant]

There are companies/people who re-spool 120 film onto 620 spools. You can do it yourself.

120 film's common in fact sales are rising.

Ian

 

[Whiteymorange]

I came across a Monitor a while ago and have come to like it quite a bit. Re-spooling 120 onto 620 reels is easy and quick. Google it here or on the wider web. I found a Kodak range-finder that I use in the cold shoe of the camera to help in focusing. The whole rig is a tad ungainly, but there is a characteristic look to the images taken with tessar design lenses from that era, and I like it. The special anastigmat lens became the Ektar. The camera is fun, and very well built. Go shoot some film!

 

[semi-ambivalent]

The camera is fun, and very well built. Go shoot some film!

And I will too!

thanks,
s-a

 

[smithdoor]

You can buy the 620 film new
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ns=p_PRICE_2|0&ci=2545&N=4294548524+4130468169&srtclk=sort

Dave

 

[Ian Grant]

You can buy the 620 film new
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ns=p_PRICE_2|0&ci=2545&N=4294548524+4130468169&srtclk=sort

Dave

Which is re-spooled 120 at a much higher price.

Ian

 

[smithdoor]

Yes you are right it is a lot cheeper to buy 120 and re-spool @ http://www.freestylephoto.biz/190220-Arista-EDU-Ultra-200-ISO-120-size for less than $3.00 and re-spool. The cost of new Kodak is 620 film is $14.00 each. By buying Kodak film one time you have a spool to re-spool or good luck on ebay pricing. If I had a 620 size camera I too would re-spool. I only post this for any one that does not like usnig the darkroom or using a bag

I did find one place for $7.15 per roll no nothing of them
http://www.bluemooncamera.com/inventory.php?menuID=4&catID=500&deptID=557

Dave

Which is re-spooled 120 at a much higher price.

Ian

 

[Denverdad]

Congratulations on the monitor! Do you know which model it is yet? I only ask because in addition to the Six-20 that people have been talking about Kodak also produced a Six-16 version of the monitor. Rather than 620 film, that one requires the larger 616 format which is no longer made, so it would make the camera somewhat more difficult to put back into service (although some DIY'ers have been known to convert them to 120 yeilding a semi-panoramic format - an interesting option if you are the crafty sort). The Six-16's versions do seem to be less common though, so the Six-20 is more likely what you have.

In either case, be aware that one defect for which these old monitors are notorious is pinhole light leaks in the bellows. You can test for this prior to running film through the camera by opening the back in a darkened room and shining a flashlight through the bellows. Look all along the folds of the bellows, especially in the corner creases, and see if you can see any light coming through what looks like tiny pinholes. Unfortunately, both of the monitors I have purchased are riddled with these pinholes and will need to be addressed before I can shoot without light leaks. But hopefully you will be more lucky than I was!

 

[donkee]

I use a mix of Elmers Glue and India Ink (50/50) to coat the inside of the bellows on my Kodak folders. Works great with 2 coats at the corners. There are other recipes out there with shoe black and dish soap. They all should work.

Have fun with the Monitor!

 

[mgb74]

Sometimes the easiest way to find a 620 spool (if you need one) is to check thrift stores for cameras with a 620 spool inside.

And, if anyone asks, you can say it's a 20 megapixel (more or less) camera.

 

[Hatchetman]

Ideally you would have two empty 620 spools. Roll it onto the first, now the end of the film will be on the outside. Then roll it onto the second spool and you will be good to go. Make sure you keep everything tight as you roll and on the second rolling, make sure you catch the film when it appears under the paper (it is not attached). Of course do this all in the dark.

 

[ME Super]

+1. This is the method I use, with 2 620 spools I got off of the big auction site for around $5 each. I do it in a changing bag. The hardest part is inserting the end of the paper into the slot on the 620 spool in the dark, so I do that part in the light, then shove my hand with the two spools into the changing bag and respool. It's not hard to hang on to both spools and keep the paper tight (to keep the film from being exposed to the light while you get the paper started onto the spool) in the light before shoving your hand into the changing bag. There's YouTube videos on how to do it, just search for "respool 120 film onto 620 spools" and you'll find a ton of videos showing how to do it.

 

[semi-ambivalent]

Thanks all. I'll have to wait until I get it. Thanks also for the film links. I had given up on finding 127, (my wife was given an immaculate baby gray a number of years ago by her employer).

s-a

 

[TomWB]

I think the Tourist is similar and is later than the Monitor, if that matters after 60 years... I'd expect similar results, though http://westfordcomp.com/classics/tourist/index.html

 

[Gerald C Koch]

I use a mix of Elmers Glue and India Ink (50/50) to coat the inside of the bellows on my Kodak folders. Works great with 2 coats at the corners. There are other recipes out there with shoe black and dish soap. They all should work.

Have fun with the Monitor!

I use Pliobond cement (rubber based) and lamp black for the purpose. The mixture is water proof and remains flexible.

 

[Bob Marvin]

Before I had my Kodak Medalist II modified for 120 film I would run film through a 120 camera without exposing it [I used my Rolleiflex, without threading the film under the feeler roller] and then hand wound it onto a 620 spool in a changing bag. That way I only had to wind film once by hand.