David Mitchell
Well-Known Member
Hi all,
A nice pile of Ilford 120 film arrived today, technically only my Sputnik camera can take it but I know that you can respool 120 onto a 620 spool etc but I had heard that you can fit 120 film into a 620 camera but use a 620 take up spool (the keyways are smaller) I have just managed to do this in my cheap Kodak Six-20 meaning that MF images are going to be cheap
Please note that this works better if the feeding spool is spring loaded ie there is some takeup as the 120 film spool ends are about 1mm thicker than the 620's thin metal ends (the film is the same width, its just the spools that aren't) my Six-20 camera has a cheap spring loaded but certain 620 cameras will have issues as the body of the camera is smaller although it may still work.
Here is my 120 film, I got 2 cheaper Ilford HP5s and 5 Ilford Delta 400s which were recomended to me.
Firstly try and fit the 120 film into the feeding side, it fits fine as in width ways but it was fouling the body of the Six-20 when I tried to put it in. This is due to the lipped edge on the 120 film that you might just see.
I used some nail scissors and trimmed round the edge of the spool (basically aim the scissors at a tangent to the circle and use the tightly wound film as a guide so that the bottom part of the scissors runs over the paper backing) You can also see the correct 620 spool next to it:
Once trimmed up its an exact match
Now you need to check the clearance again by loading it in
Mine feeds perfectly and doesn't foul the body of the camera (test fit)
Job done
So this is my camera setup (and partly why I bought a slightly older Six-20 camera)
Pre 1953 Kodak Six-20
Ilford 120 film on the feed side
Empty 620 metal spool on the take up side
Equipment needed:
1 x 120 film
1 x pair of nail scissors (have seen nail clippers used)
A nice pile of Ilford 120 film arrived today, technically only my Sputnik camera can take it but I know that you can respool 120 onto a 620 spool etc but I had heard that you can fit 120 film into a 620 camera but use a 620 take up spool (the keyways are smaller) I have just managed to do this in my cheap Kodak Six-20 meaning that MF images are going to be cheap
Please note that this works better if the feeding spool is spring loaded ie there is some takeup as the 120 film spool ends are about 1mm thicker than the 620's thin metal ends (the film is the same width, its just the spools that aren't) my Six-20 camera has a cheap spring loaded but certain 620 cameras will have issues as the body of the camera is smaller although it may still work.Here is my 120 film, I got 2 cheaper Ilford HP5s and 5 Ilford Delta 400s which were recomended to me.
Firstly try and fit the 120 film into the feeding side, it fits fine as in width ways but it was fouling the body of the Six-20 when I tried to put it in. This is due to the lipped edge on the 120 film that you might just see.
I used some nail scissors and trimmed round the edge of the spool (basically aim the scissors at a tangent to the circle and use the tightly wound film as a guide so that the bottom part of the scissors runs over the paper backing) You can also see the correct 620 spool next to it:
Once trimmed up its an exact match
Now you need to check the clearance again by loading it in
Mine feeds perfectly and doesn't foul the body of the camera (test fit)
Job done
So this is my camera setup (and partly why I bought a slightly older Six-20 camera)
Pre 1953 Kodak Six-20
Ilford 120 film on the feed side
Empty 620 metal spool on the take up side
Equipment needed:
1 x 120 film
1 x pair of nail scissors (have seen nail clippers used)
