Newbie to 120 film question

<p>I have a few TLR and TTV cameras I have been wanting to try. I finally got myself some 120 film and and some 620 spools and I am ready to go. However, I have never loaded 120 film in a camera so I have watch a video on YouTube and I think I got it but now I have a question after trying to load into my Argus Argoflex 75..<br>

Will the numbers on the film that are supposed to show up in the red window line up? I saw some numbers off to the side of the film back paper but it doesn't line up with the red window on this camera. I don't know if maybe more modern TLR's have their window off to the side now or I didn't load enough of the film or what.</p>

<p>The numbers off to the sides are for different format sizes, 6x4.5 and 6x9.<br>

Your Argus is 6x6 so it will use the middle set of numbers.<br>

Once you load the film wind it on while looking in the red window. After a while you see either a series of arrows or dots usually getting bigger as you progress and eventually the number 1.</p>

<p>It does take a bit of winding to get to the numbers and some films have numbers that are easier to see in the red window than others.</p>

<p>good luck</p>

<p>You didn't say which brand of film you're using. Kodak? Fuji? Ilford? Something more exotic? Either way don't worry. I have anArgoflex 40, which is even older than your camera and the numbers match up fine. You see, even back in the 1930's and 40's there were many different frame sizes for roll film. So manufacturers print several numbers on back so they'll match whatever camera you may have. It's a real treat that the film manufacturers still do this; ink is not cheap and nearly every medium format camera made in the last 40 years has its own frame counter.<br>

So when you load the film, just keep turning it until the magic "#1" appears in the red window. You'll see a bunch of arrows or little circles just before you get to it. Be careful not to crank past it! Post some of your work back here when it's developed, or at least a link so we can see it.</p>

<p>Liana, You'll also want to make sure that the red window doesn't cause light leakage for newer, more sensitive panchromatic films. These old cameras were built in the Ortho film days, and cameras without proper baffling will cause light leaks. I cover my red windows up with black gaffers tape when I don't need to see the number. Maybe you won't have this issue, but I thought it might be worth mentioning.</p>

<p>I'll 2nd what Michael suggests. Make yourself a tape shutter for the red window. I use black artist masking tape, but gaffer or anything that blocks light will work. </p>

<p>Kodak has the nasty habit of not using dots on the backing paper, but they use the word 'kodak' (figures) right before the number. It wouldn't be the first time that I wind on past the #1 and think "HEY?! Wait a minute!"</p>

<p>As said above, your red window should line up with the numbers on the backing paper for the format your camera shoots. Unless you have a Rolleiflex/Cord type film advance mechanism that only uses the red window to line up the first frame.<br>

And another vote for covering up the red window if it doesn't have a sliding cover.</p>

<p>Enjoy your camera,</p>

<p>Rick</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Have fun with that 75. Also, a traditional BW film like PlusX or TriX makes things alot easier. The latitude goes along way in making up for the limited control you have over exposure. Also, the 75 has a stiff shutter that goes off like a gunshot and want's to jerk the camera sideways. You really need to brace it well to avoid shake. </p>

IF the 75 has the same release as the Argus 40.. I'm pretty sure it does. It's a little tricky to trip the ahutter without pushing the body too.. It's like you always hear about shooting a gun "squeeze" don't push the shutter!

So pleased you''re on the Forum and you're going to love MF!

<p>Thank you! Well that explains it, I can't wait to get out there this weekend and start taking some awesome pictures on my cameras. I have about 4 with film in them that I need to either start or finish.<br /> I forgot which type of film I got but I know the roll in my Seventyfive (sorry I wrote 75 before forgetting that there is an Argus 75 as well) is Kodak colorfilm. My other cameras will be loaded with various other brand since I want to get a taste of what they are like... so I have Ilford hp5 plus 400, Fijiflim Neopan 400, Fomapan Classic 100.<br /> My Seventyfive doesn't jerk as hard as it sounds that yours does, at least I don't think so. I fixed this one myself, it had a shutter that would always stick open and close very slow. But now it's very smooth. Either way I'll be sure to hold it steady and tight.</p>

 

<p>Hi Liana. A lot of good advice here. I have the same camera as yours, the Argus Argoflex 75. Since the Argoflex 75 doesn't have a cover for the red window, you can make a temporary mask out of black electrical tape or whatever is handy, to make sure the film doesn't get fogged up/exposed if you left the camera too long in the light. My Argoflex 75 came with an eveready case which covers up the red window when I put it on, so I haven't had any issues with accidental exposure of film.</p>

<p>An important thing to remember with the Argoflex 75 is that it has only 2 shutter speeds, Time & Bulb, if I'm not mistaken. TIME is around 1/60 secs or 1/30 secs, while Bulb is self-explanatory (the shutter will stay open as long as you hold the shutter release button). The aperture meanwhile, is approx f8 or f11. So essentially, when you use this camera with ASA 100 film, you can only have correctly exposed photos at an EV value of 12 or so, which corresponds to a slightly-less than sunny day. Sunny 16 rule would be implemented at EV value of 15. I've used ASA160 film with my Argoflex, and the exposures were ok as long as I kept in mind that this camera needs quite a lot of light.</p>

<p>However, I've read that with such simple cameras as this, the rule of thumb is ASA400 for shade, ASA100 for sunny/slightly cloudy and ASA50 for really really sunny. Could be good to keep this in mind too. So with your B&W ASA400 film, be sure to have a lot less than sunny conditions!</p>

<p>Here's a photo that I took with my Argoflex 75. I love this thing.</p>

<p><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2715/4273963155_e2220d241e.jpg" alt="" width="488" height="500" /></p>

<p>-Dani<br>

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</p>