What film for toy camera?

[totalmotard]

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]

HP5+ ?

 

[JBrunner]

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]

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

All in all, shoot some Plus-X.

 

[BetterSense]

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]

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

 

[totalmotard]

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]

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]

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

 

[Ektagraphic]

Another vote for Plus-X! Awesome film!

 

[Ryan!]

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]

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]

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

 

[totalmotard]

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]

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.