Old cameras, using 120 roll film

Originally introduced as No.1 film in 1897, 120 film continues in use to this day, when it is commonly referred to as medium format. It's survival stems from the fact that the larger film size resulted in much finer images than the more common 35mm, it is, perhaps, now in its Swan song as commercial users go digital. In 2018 it is still relatively easy to obtain and is having a small renaissance. Living Image cameras using black and white film usually use Efke stock as its emulsion is of an archaic type and nicely mimics the films that these old cameras would have used.

The film is wound with opaque paper around a spool, serving to protect the light sensitive film from light and also a mechanism to identify which picture is about to be exposed, of which later. There is a paper leader before the film starts to enable the film to be loaded in daylight, though care needs to be exercised not to allow the film to uncoil when the tape that keeps it tight is released. Most vintage cameras that use this type of film have a small red window in the back that aligns with printed frame numbers on the outside of the backing paper, this allows the user to advance the film to the correct position. The majority of cameras using this system prior to the 1950s had no double exposure prevention, so it is important to remember to wind on to the next frame straight after taking a picture. During the 1950s the use of a shutter lock that prevented the shutter from releasing until the film was wound on became more common. In use the film is wound onto a 'take up spool', which is merely the spool from the previous film transferred to the take up chamber, most 120 cameras you will find, still have the last spool inside.

In use, most cameras use this film with the supply spool loaded into the left hand film chamber. Unlike 35mm film, there is no need to rewind the film after it is finished as the roll has a paper tail that wraps the exposed film several rotations to protect it, so after the last picture - keep winding until the paper cannot be seen through the window. The picture at right shows a 1912 No.1 Folding Pocket Kodak with slightly later period film and wooden cored spools, the supply spool leader is in the process of being fed out. It is safe to do this until about two coils around the take spool ensure the paper has sufficient grip - then the back must be closed to prevent fogging.

Most old vintage cameras using this type of film will have either self energizing shutters or ones which need to be cocked first.

Aside from these considerations, the user will be required to set the Focus and Aperture. The final consideration is processing. For 120 you either have to develop it yourself or use a local professional lab, as the high street processors aren't generally set up for this film type today.

 A variation on 120 roll film is 620 roll film. This film is exactly the same size and the backing paper is identical too, but wound onto a slimmer spool. This makes 620 cameras a little more streamlined. 620 was discontinued in 1995, but if you have two old 620 spools and are prepared to try, 120 film can be re spooled onto 620 spools easily with a little knowledge. There are several web pages dealing with this subject - so I won't repeat it here.

35mm film cameras