At 13:53 4/7/02, Dave Dougherty wrote:
Is there a source for information that ties film size to specific models of
the early Kodak folding cameras? I would like to acquire some, but I try to
collect cameras with which I can make photographs. I am referring to those
made around 1918 or so.
120 has been around since 1901 when Kodak created it for their #2 Brownie.
Other than the flanged spool being changed from metal to plastic (don't ask
me when; I remember the metal spools though) it's the *same* size as it was
in 1901. Unfortunately, 120 is the *only* survivor of those halcyon days.
In looking at listings for these cameras on eBay some say that they use #120
film. Is this an indication that the camera will use modern size 120 film?
Some say #116 and I don't believe there is any of that around anymore.
116 is 2-1/2 inches wide, 1/4-inch wider than 2-1/4" 120, was introduced in
1899 for the 1A Folding Pocket Kodak, and was discontinued in 1984. You
might research this some; I've heard of modifications being made that allow
the use of 120 in some of these cameras. Be very careful though about film
strip and image size. Exemplia gratia: Even though 620 (introduced in
1932 and discontinued in 1995) is *exactly* the same size strip of film
*and* backing paper, it was wound on a spool with smaller diameter spindle
and flanges (to make thinner folding cameras); 120 will *not* fit into a
620 camera. [Likewise, 616 was also created in 1932 from 116 using the
exact same concept.]
Some cameras are more amenable to modification for 120 than others. One of
the typical methods for transporting 120 across film gates made for
slightly wider roll film is creating a *very* thin metal mask and fitting
the camera with it. This presumes the 120 spool will fit into the back
(perhaps with spacers) There is also spool height and diameter to consider
as well.
Some sites with additional information:
http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/tphs-filmnumbers.html
http://www.geocities.com/thombell/history.html
http://www.geocities.com/thombell/oldroll.html
http://www.nwmangum.com/Kodak/FilmHist.html
http://members.aol.com/Chuck02178/film.htm
A company called Film for Classics does custom film respooling (and
slitting to proper width if necessary). *Check* with them to *verify*
their current offering and the *prices* before buying a camera!
http://www.filmforclassics.com/
Some do it themselves to get 120 onto 620 spools (don't know where the
spools come from though):
http://www.angelfire.com/film/chuck9toe/articles/gstewart/respool.html
I know there's a site with the spool dimensions for each film size, but
couldn't find it.
:-(
Hope this helps,
-- John
-- John
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