What film for toy camera?

totalmotard · Aug 24, 2010

I just picked up a Time Traveler 120 from a thrift shop for $10. It's a box camera from the 50s that shoots 6x9 120 film. I can't find any specs about it online, but I did measure the box and the focal length looks to be 90mm and the aperture looks to be 6mm which would be about f15. I have no idea what the shutter speed is now after 60 years or what it was originally designed to be.

What do you think would be a b&w film with a lot of latitude and a vintage feel?

werra · Aug 24, 2010

HP5+ ?

JBrunner · Aug 24, 2010

The shutter speed will likely be about 1/25-50 or so, on most box cameras the trip shutters seem to hold speed as long as they function. A film that will give an vintage feeling result is Efke, you should be able to get a usable negative outdoors with the 100.

fiducio · Aug 24, 2010

Why not color slide film and a little cross processing for the fun of it?

All in all, shoot some Plus-X.

BetterSense · Aug 24, 2010

I would recommend the same film I would recommend for any other camera--Tmax 400. You will be 2 stops over exposed in the sunlight (no big deal) but have lots of latitude.

2F/2F · Aug 24, 2010

Adox CHS Art or Efke (same emulsion as Adox, but in a different box) is similar to some Adox 1950s emulsions.

totalmotard · Aug 24, 2010

Thanks for the shutter speed info on box cameras, JBrunner, that helps a lot. Sounds like I need to be at 100 iso to give me some leeway +-2 stops. My local lab does Kodak better than some of the exotics (I don't develop my own yet). So, I think I'll give T-Max 100 a try on the first roll.

No way am I going to use slide film on the first roll. I tried that once with some Fuji Provia 400 with a camera that had a working light meter, but it was off by 2 stops (unbeknownst to me). Got nothing back but clear slides.

mhcfires · Aug 25, 2010

2F/2F said:
Adox CHS Art or Efke (same emulsion as Adox, but in a different box) is similar to some Adox 1950s emulsions.

I have been using Efke 25 in my Brownie Hawkeye with good results. I really like the old style films in this camera. I may try a roll of Ektar100 in the camera, just for fun.

nickrapak · Aug 25, 2010

I think Plus-X is a good idea for your first roll. Not too expensive, and very tolerant of overexposure.

Ektagraphic · Aug 25, 2010

Another vote for Plus-X! Awesome film!

Ryan! · Aug 27, 2010

I roll with Adox CHS Art 100 for my older box cameras. Vintage-looking film for vintage cameras and all that. For the crappier Diana and Holga, I've been using Rollei Retro 400S lately. Those things need all the light they can get.

ozphoto · Aug 28, 2010

I've used Efke 100 & 400 in my 620 Junior folder with great results.
Haven't yet tried out colour film, but not too many places that can print 6x9 in colour around here! :eek:

benjiboy · Aug 28, 2010

There's only one answer toy film , sorry couldn't resist it.

totalmotard · Sep 5, 2010

Ran the roll of T-Max 100 through it. Lot's of nice vignetting, blurry corners, fairly sharp center. Some scratches from some rust I missed on the rollers. I can clean that up, but I think it works.

Denverdad · Sep 6, 2010

I like Tri-X 400. But then again I also like to modify my toy cameras with smaller apertures and/or faster shutter speeds so that a 400 speed film is most appropriate.

What film for toy camera?

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