How Can I Use My 620 Camera?
Since the demise of 620 film it has become increasingly difficult to use older 620 only cameras. One of the most often asked questions I get has to do with the availability of no longer produced or hard to find films. In this article I will attempt to answer this question for those of you who want to use their 620 cameras.
The answer to the question, "Can I still use my 620 camera?", is a resounding YES.Depending on the camera it can be an easy process or a frustrating or expensive endeavor. I will attempt on this page to cover the subject as completely as I can.
The secret to using your old 620 camera, is in the fact that 620 film is identical to 120 film. At least the light sensitive film and paper backing are the same. Only the Spools are different. Because 120 film is readily available at better camera stores and by mail order, you can use 120 film in your 620 cameras by using one of the following methods.
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Here is some terminology that I will be using in this discussion:
SPOOL • Refers to the plastic or metal device that the film and paper backin is rolled onto.
SUPPLY SPOOL • The spool that contains the unexposed film, and when loading the camera would be loaded on the side of the camera opposite the wind knob.
TAKEUP SPOOL • The spool that the exposed film is rolled onto after each exposure is taken. This spool is loaded into the camera on the side of the camera with the winder knob.
SUPPLY SIDE OF CAMERA • The film compartment inside the camera where the fresh film is loaded. The opposite side from where the winder knob is located.
TAKEUP SIDE OF CAMERA • The side of the film compartment where the winder knob fits into the spool, and allows the exposed film to be wound onto the Takeup Spool.
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METHOD #1: Several cameras have a Supply Side large enough to accept a 120 film spool, while allowing it to rotate freely. In the case of these cameras, all that is necessary is to use an old 620 spool as a Takeup Spool. REMEMBER TO ASK YOUR PHOTOFINISHER TO RETURN THE 620 SPOOL so you can use it again. 620 spools can be found in old cameras and sometimes photofinishers can help you find some. In some cases your 620 camera may be set up to accept both 620 and 120 film spools, in both the Supply Side and the Takeup Side.The extremely common Foldex 20 camera is a good example. I will talk more about the Foldex later.
120 Spool and 620 Spool
Notice the difference in diameter and winder holes.
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METHOD #2: Because the ends of the 120 spools are larger in diameter than 620 spools, some cameras' Supply Side compartments are too small to accept 120 spools without modification. Therefore you may have to modify the spools to fit and roll freely in your camera. If the 120 spools are too large in diameter, you can trim the edges of the spool with a heavy pair of scissors or cutting pliers. (see illustration). Once the diameter of the 120 spool is about the size of a 620 spool, all you have to do is load it in the Supply Side and an empty 620 reel in the Takeup Side as discribed above. With some cameras like the Kodak Chevron, you may only need to trim one end. REMEMBER TO ASK YOUR PHOTOFINISHER TO RETURN THE 620 SPOOL so you can use it again.
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METHOD #3: With some cameras the Supply Side compartments are extremely tight even with 620 spools. These cameras were made when the 620 spools were made of very thin metal rather than the heavy plastic. Because the modern 120 spools are made of plastic and the ends are a bit thicker, 120 spools will not fit lengthwise. In these situations it may be necessary to completely cut off one or both of the ends of the film spool. Because this exposes the edge of the paper and light sensitive film you should do this in darkness and load it into the camera and close the back before turning the lights back on. I have been told that doing this in low light may be alright with minimum fogging on the edges but I would recommend doing it in darkroom conditions. As discribed above you can use an old 620 Takeup Spool on the Takeup Side of the camera. REMEMBER TO ASK YOUR PHOTOFINISHER TO RETURN THE 620 SPOOL so you can use it again.
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METHOD #4: This method requires RESPOOLING your 120 film onto extra 620 spools. This may be more convenient if you cannot use one of the previous methods or you need to change film without the benefit of a darkroom. Again this method requires that you have a supply of old 620 spools. These can be found in older cheap cameras at flea markets or thrift stores or you can salvage them from old extremely out of date film stock. Sometimes your photofinisher can save them for you, it never hurts to ask. This method involves hand respooling of the 120 film onto a temporary spool and then back onto a 620 spool for loading into your 620 camera. This must be done in total darkness or a changing bag. Carefully attach the leader of the fresh roll of 120 film to a spare 620 spool and slowly wind it from the 120 spool to the temporary spool. The light sensitive film is attached to the paper backing on one end only so the first pass will not cause a problem with the difference in diameter of the 120 and 620 spools.. After you have rolled all of the film onto the temporary spool you can repeat the process respooling the film onto another 620 spool. This will give you a roll of film properly configured on a 620 spool, ready for use. The only things you have to keep in mind are, first to be careful to roll the film and paper backing onto the reel straight and second to make sure, on the second pass,that since the film is not attached on that end you must make sure to roll them together onto the reel. REMEMBER TO ASK YOUR PHOTOFINISHER TO RETURN THE 620 SPOOL so you can use it again.
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METHOD #5: If you are lucky enough to have at least one camera in your collection that will accept and wind both 120 and 620 spools (the FOLDEX 20 is a good example), then you can make a much easier job of respooling your film. I have used the Foldex to respool film in the following method. First put the 120 spool of fresh film in the Supply Side and a 620 empty spool in the Takeup Side of the camera. Once loaded you can close the back of the camera and wind the film from your 120 spool to the 620 spool. After this is done you have completed the first step of the above method. Now you can move the full reel from the Takeup Side to the Supply Side and repeat the winding process, onto another 620 spool.. I have tried this many times and the loose end of the film does not seem to cause a problem. REMEMBER TO ASK YOUR PHOTOFINISHER TO RETURN THE 620 SPOOL so you can use it again.
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METHOD #6: There are several companies that do the respooling or actually manufacture or sell 620 film. Film for Classics and B&H Photo are a couple of examples. I am sure some of you may be saying, "Why did you wait so long to get to this method". Well the reason is ecconomic. A roll of Fuji 120 film can be had for just a few dollars where as the companies who sell 620 film prespooled charge much more. Also, any film that you can buy in 120 format can be used in your old 620 camera if you use one of the above methods. I have listed a couple of sources of ready to shoot 620 and other discontinued size films below:
If you have other sources of discontinued films let me know so I can add them here.
For another take on this subject, please check out Chris Eve's page called:
Using 120 Film in a 620 Camera
Here is an outstanding page by Glenn Stewart on Respooling:
Respooling 120 film onto 620 spools for use in older cameras
