 Tricia L. Olson-Giles |
Medium Format 620 Cameras I am enthralled with medium format cameras currently (yes, all my stuff is digital) and have two that used 620 film. Does anyone know if there's any way to still use these cameras? I realize that if the film were smaller we could make an adapter, but...anyone?
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Mark Feldstein |
There are a number of places that sell 620 film, respooled 120, but here's one that says they do it from scratch. Try-em out. http://www.620film.com/index.htm Hmph, 620film.com. Who'd have thunk it?
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Mark Feldstein |
BTW Tricia, I'd send the film to a pro lab for processing because places like Walmart etc., will probably tell you they can't do it even though the film is 120 size spooled for 620. As far as using the cameras, depending on which ones they are, to use them usually just load them up, point and shoot, and don't forget to advance the film. ;>)
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Tricia L. Olson-Giles |
Thanks Mark. You da Man!! I'm doing my happy dance now. No, I wouldn't ever send it to Walmart. Geesh! I use Miller's for all my digital, and my own photo printer at home for just proofs.
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Mark Feldstein |
A pleasure, Tricia. You're welcome any time. ;>) Oh, (and you may know this already), but processing your own b&w film at home is a piece of cake. Just let me know if you need some input in what to get and how to do it for whichever 620 film you get.
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John H. Siskin |
Hi Tricia, Don’t throw out the core the film is wound on. You will need it for the next roll. If you ever need to rewind your own 120 youw will also need the core. Thanks, John Siskin
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Tricia L. Olson-Giles |
You guys are the best. I have a Brownie and a Herco Imperial. I think I'll check with Millers to see if they can do the processing. I'm not sure I want to, but then again, I HAVE done it, and have done my own printing, but um...that was back in high school. I know they have the bags now so you don't actually require a dark room. Do they work well?
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Tricia L. Olson-Giles |
Just found two more cameras!!! :) A Kodak Duaflex II and a Zeiss Ikon 120. And I have 120 film So I'm to try the Zeiss tomorrow. I have film for it. Oooo...one more. A Kodak Duaflex III. :) I'm so excited.
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John H. Siskin |
Hi Tricia, Good luck! Listen to the shutters. A little exercise, just running them with out film, may make them more reliable. Thanks, John Siskin
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Mark Feldstein |
Hi Tricia. I'm assuming you were asking about changing bags or "tents". My preference is the tent type because it gives me more room for moving my big paws around, doesn't require having fabric resting on top of whatever I'm trying to load inside, and yes, works quite well. Changing bags cost a bit less and are more portable. They work well also but again, I don't like the limitation of room inside, especially for loading film tanks. The best place to load film, IMHO, is a darkroom LOL !!! But that's a subject for a different day.
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Tricia L. Olson-Giles |
Of course a dark room is ideal...but is it going to happen in our small house before we move? Not likely. Will look for the tents, though I have small hands and we do have some of the bags. Found another one last night, an Agfa B2 Cadet. I'm in film camera heaven right now. Though the Agfa is not currently it working condition. Will have to see what it will take.
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Mark Feldstein |
Wellllllllllll, lemme know when you guys get a bigger house. M.
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John H. Siskin |
Hi Mark, I’m planning a new darkroom here at home, in addition to the one at the studio. Should be finished by fall. The big problem is deciding what to do about the septic system Thanks, John
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Mark Feldstein |
Howdy John: I understand there's a way to dump your used chemistry into a septic system without screwing up the ecological balance. I just can't remember how. I think Kodak had some info on it. Let me know if you need some addl. info. I'll check around. M.
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John H. Siskin |
Hi Mark, If you here of something that would be helpful. Right now I plan to let the used chemistry evaporate and allow the wash water in to the septic system. I will check to see if the Great Yellow One has data on this.
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Tony Kukulich |
Hi Mark, Hope you're doing well. One of my summer projects is to set up a small darkroom at home. Our home has a septic system. I would have never considered that an issue. If you have some wisdom to share about managing that, I'd appreciate hearing it too. Thanks!
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Tricia L. Olson-Giles |
I'm glad you brought up the idea of the chemicals, because in all honesty, and green conscious as I am, I had not thought about the used chemicals. Thanks again!
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James P. Hildebrandt |
Just so you know you can sometimes shoot unmodified 120 film in a 620 camera, you just have to use a 620 spool for the takeup spool. I've been collecting vintage med format cameras and I've been avoiding 620 until the other day I read that there is alot of cameras that will actually take both. Brownie Hawkeyes for example will allow 120 if you use a 620 spool for the takeup. Another option, one I haven't tried, is to "shave the spool". The diameter of the ends is larger on 120 but apparently using the large size nail clippers you can trim them down. I've yet to try respooling but I figure if you don't have to why bother. Good Luck! PS I have a Herco Imperial and I just did a test fit and it seems that 120 will fit (its tight) but I haven't shot one yet so I can't say if it will jam or not.
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Mark Feldstein |
Greetings back Tony !!! Hope you're doing great too. The septic tank problem and disposing of photo chemicals in that type of system I guess can create havoc with the chemical balance depending on the size of the tank and the quantity of chemicals dumped down the drain. This, of course, doesn't seem to be a problem with city sanitary sewer hook-ups, or so I'm told by our city engineering gang. Sooooooo, my suggestion is to talk to the outfit that services your particular system and see what they think is the right solution (so-to-speak). I also remember Kodak putting out a publication on this particular issue. If it's not listed on their web site, call the technical services guys at their pro services division in Rochester. The phone number, I believe, is on the Kodak web site too.
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