How To Use 120 Film In A 616 Camera

Issues to Solve

There are iv issues to solve for this conversion:-

• Getting 120/620 film/spools to fit 616 cameras
• Making a mask for the film
• Adjusting the viewfinders
• Devising a system for advancing the motion-picture show by the right amount

Overview of the two films

Film Number	Number of Exposures	Frame Size Inches	Frame Size cm
616	8	2½ x 4¼	6.5 ten eleven
616	12	2½ x two½	6.5 x vi.5
616	16	two½ 10 ii⅛	half dozen.v x 5.v
120	8	2¼ x 3¼	6 10 9
120	12	ii¼ ten 2¼	half dozen x 6
120	16	2¼ x one⅝	half-dozen ten 4.v

Getting 120 moving picture/spools to fit 616 cameras

The main problem is ensuring a lite tight fit on the take upward spool so that the motion-picture show tin can exist unloaded in subdued light. At that place are 3 solutions:-

The first and most convenient is to buy spool adaptors from somewhere like Camerhack. The 120 spools will fit direct into the camera with an adapter at each end.

Another solution is to combine a metallic 616 spool with a metallic 120 spool. Cut the ends off a 616 spool leaving 3.5mm spigot. And so, carefully glue them to the 120 spool using quick setting epoxy like Araldite Rapide. Don't forget to enquire for your spool dorsum when the film is being developed.

A 3rd way is to produce a series of paper-thin, felt or cream shims. These shims are added to the spool to a depth of 4mm on each side. The terminal shim should exist blackness cardboard or plastic. The shims are secured with black electrical record across the joins. Make sure the tape across the shim nearest the film is on the back to avoid snagging. This is the least successful of the three methods.

In each instance, it is best to exam the arrangement with an old exposed roll of 120 pic in the camera.

For the film feed side, the spool adaptors are ideal but a trip to the nearest hardware store will enable you lot to find some wall plugs to fit the spool. The plugs should project by 4mm from the spool. Just one matter to look out for. If the motion picture tensioner springs affect the spools and not the film, this last method may not be successful.

Movie Mask

There are two pop mask types:-
The first only supports the film as it transfers across the back of the camera, and the second provides a smaller defined and controlled area for the image.

The Panoramic Mask

The panoramic mask simply reduces the width of the aperture to the size of the 120 motion-picture show to give some back up to continue it flat. Simply cut some 0.7mm plastic canvas about 108mm long by three.5mm wide and attach it using blackness electric tape to the existing movie runners. Trim the length and chamfer the finish then it rests on the cantankerous frame to give back up without fouling the rollers. This method gives five 'panoramic' negatives of 4¼" by 2¼" (11 x half dozen cm).

Mask to get 15 images from 120 film

I presume y'all are practical so I volition just ask y'all to cut out this mask from black carte du jour. Score along a line between the chief mask and the trapezoidal tabs and curve back the tabs. Insert the tabs under the rollers at each end of the film plane and secure with black electrical record. The mask should fit neatly and flat. If necessary, shorten the tabs to get the whole thing to lie flat. This will exist especially important for folding cameras.

This mask volition requite xv negatives of ii¼" x i⅝" (vi 10 4.five cm).

Adjusting the Viewfinders

Panoramic Mask

The departure in the size of the prototype is so small it'southward not worth masking the viewfinders. They are not authentic anyway. Merely recollect that the image will exist slightly narrower forth the long side (3% each side).

Small-scale Mask for fifteen images

Use any method y'all like (temporary or permanent) to mask off ⅓ of each viewfinder window at each side as shown. Notation that you volition be using the camera's mural viewfinder for portrait and vice verse.

Loading and advancing film

Showtime
frame numbers

The ruddy window approximately coincides with the 16 frame markers on the film bankroll. Films take varying types of notation on the backing paper. So in some cases you lot can run into the annotation through the crimson window and with some you cannot. Some Kodak films (e.g. Portra and Tri-Ten) may non show the annnotation through the red window. Ilford and Acros on the other hand do. If you have some backing paper of the type of film you will exist using then cheque to come across if the annotation will show. Or, you could re-spool the movie (in the night) using a backing newspaper that will prove the numbers, fifty-fifty if you accept to write the numbers on yourself in the correct position.

If the notation will show

If the annotation will show it is probably outset and then you must be dull and careful when advancing the film considering you may not come across the warning markers and tin hands miss the frame numbers. Load the film as normal using the modified spools but endeavor to pull out every bit little leader as possible to avert exposing the film.
Then:-

• For the 'panoramic' mask use frame numbers iii,6,9,12,15 to get 5 images.
• For the 15 image mask, use frame numbers 2,3,4,->16 to go 15 images.

If the annotation will not show or you don't know

In this example you volition have to rely on counting turns. A 'turn' is a 180 degree turn of the advance central or knob. Load the picture. Try to pull out as petty leader as possible to avert exposing the film. Make four turns of the advance machinery to secure the film to the spool. Close the dorsum.
So:-

• For the 'panoramic' mask, count 12 turns to the commencement of the film. There are half dozen turns between frames i & 2 and two & 3 and five turns between frames three & 4 and four &five.
• For the 15 image mask, count x turns to the get-go of the pic. Then apply 2½ turns between frames ane & two and 2 & 3 and two turns for the residue of the frames. You will probably go less than 15 frames

This is not an verbal science and y'all may go some frames slightly overlapping or miss a bit at the start and the end. Of course, when winding to the start, if y'all see the annotation appear and so revert to the methods shown higher up.

Possible Problems

With some cameras, for instance the Agfa-Ansco PD16 Plenax, it is not possible to utilise a 120 feed or accept up spool. This is because the 120 spools foul on the spool holders and sooner or after the 120 spool will jam. You have to reduce the diameter of the 120 spools slightly with a file or nail clippers. Unfortunately, this volition make light leaks more likely. Load and unload the pic in greatly subdued lighting. You could also use a 616 spool for the take up but this makes lite leaks very probable so unload the film in a night room at the time of developing. Always run through an old exposed film first to check for issues similar this.

Good Luck

Source: http://www.artdecocameras.com/resources/616to120/

Posted by: hopkinswhinvotat.blogspot.com

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