620 film to 120 film conversion

[jthrasher48]

I have a Graflex Graphic camera that I purchased used in about 1948. I have an "Adapt-a Roll 620" film adapter that fits the Graflex so I could use 620 film. The camera has not been used in about 45 years but is in perfect condition. I want to use it again but here is the problem - no one manufactures 620 film any more. I know that I can purchase the film on ebay and have found a place to get it processed. My question is - does anyone know how to convert the "Adapt-a-Roll" to use 120 film instead of 620? I have heard that this can be done. Thanks.

Jim T.

[Glenn Thoreson]

To adapt it requires some rather expensive machining, to my understanding. It's also my understanding that it will accept a 120 spool on the supply side and you need to use a 620 spool on the take up side. It's not hard to respool 120 onto a 620 spool if need be. The film and backing paper are the same, just the spool is different. The biggest problem is if you send your film to a lab for processing. You need to get your 620 spool back. That can be hard to do. They go for as much as 5 bucks each on ebay. You don't want to lose it. One question - does your camera have a Graflok back on it? If so, there are other roll holders you could use that are better and use 120 film.

[Dan Fromm]

Jim, Glenn got it right.

Coversion is impractical. I'm acquainted with one person -- a fine and very inventive machinist, also a very good photographer -- who converted a couple of AAR 620s to 120 film and also made a 6x17 roll holder from a pair of AAR 620s. He says that no one can afford the price he'd have to charge for either job.

AAR 620s feed perfectly well from a 120 spool, must take up on a 620 spool. I've seen numerous claims on photography bulletin boards to the effect that a trimmed 120 spool is as good as a 620. T'ain't so with the AAR 620. I use AAR 620s with my 2x3 Graphics. Before I send exposed film off to the lab, I respool it onto the 120 spool it came from. This is what changing bags are for.

AAR 620s have one slight advantage over the Graflex' own roll holders. With careful loading, and AAR 620 will give 9 exposures per roll; Graflex' own give 8. And the later Graflex 2x3 roll holders, the ones whose shells have a pin roller on each side of the gate, have a somewhat narrower gate.

To learn more about your camera and roll holders that will fit it, visit www.graflex.org

[seepaert]

620 is still being made and sold. Ther is a firm in Berlin, Germany that has them:
http://www.fotoimpex.de/

[rippo]

http://www.filmforclassics.com/ will sell you some for about $10 a pop. i seem to recall finding it cheaper elsewhere, but i can't locate the link. it was for my brownie before i converted it to 35mm (another story, another time).

other places (a simple google will suffice) also trim 120 film to 620 size. heck i've got 620 spools laying around if you're desperate.

i've used an adapt-a-roll before, and yes, you just need a 620 spool for the takeup. 120 for the supply is fine. you can always respool before sending off to the lab, if that's your sort of thing. my adapt-a-roll didn't track properly though, and so i sold it to someone who could fix it. was it the film mismatch? not sure. but i've heard other reports that it'd work too.

if you can't find a 620 spool laying around, buy some film for a one-shot, then use it as your only take-up spool. save it of course!

[C. D. Keth]

I made myself adapters out of plastic card. It wasn't difficult nor was it expensive. I estimate it tooks me an hour or two and under $5 in materials. It's functional but not that pretty.

All they really need are spacers for the diameter of the spool and for the length of the spool. Be creative.

[nelsonfotodotcom]

Search the junk shops for old box cameras with leftover 620 spools in them. Steal 'em.

Just kidding. But do find yourself a nice little cache of old 6-2-ought spools. Sacrifice a roll of 120, and practice unrolling it, reloading on to the 620 spool. I can do it in about 2 minutes, tops. Make sure you, uh, use the dark-room, -bag, -closet, etc., when you get to the real stuff.

And have fun!

I may have a few spares (620 spools) you can have. Might also be worth checking my forums for folks with extras. Very helpful people there. You'll need to register in order to see the Trade forum, but it's all free, no fees, and you can post an ISO for same with no trouble.

Good luck.

C.

[jnantz]

ken ruth at bald mountain photo does this sort of conversion 620 --> 120.
i know he works on kodak medalist cameras, but may work on other things as well ..
http://www.baldmtn.com/Convert.htm

info on respooling is here :
http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/kodakmedalist.html

rippo:
j and c used to sell re-spooled 120 onto 620.
maybe that is the place you are thinking of.
it might be the same stuff mirko is selling in germany