How to use a Foldex to respool 120 to 620?

 

I read about people doing this online -- this camera can handle both 120 and 620 spools -- and found a $10 Foldex camera on eBay... stuck a roll of 120 on the feed side and a 620 spool on the take side... wound through... put the "exposed" film on the 620 spool on the feed side and second empty 620 on the take side and wound through... and it jammed. Opened up and the film's emulsion side is facing me, with the white side of the paper backing behind the film.

 

 

<br />Grrr.... What the heck? I've been playing with the film, rewinding it by hand, and it isn't jiving with me... what I read was that this was a simple two-step process. Where am I messing up?

 

<p>I've tried respooling with a Foldex and it did not work for me either. You're better off respooling by hand in a light tight bag. There are plenty of good instructions online.</p>

<p>The film is only taped on one end. When you try to go the other way, the loose end flips out and will wind the film around the outside. I know of no other way to respool except in the dark by hand.</p>

<p>I also tried a Foldex. I actually got it to work ONCE; the second time it ripped up the backing paper. It helps a little to use a camera (ANY camera that doesn't scratch the film) to wind the film onto the takeup spool before winding it onto a 620 spool by hand.</p>

<p>My advice is to use the Foldex to go from 120 spool to 620 spool...STOP! Take tightly wound 620 and carefully in a changing bag, wind it back onto another 620 spool, tucking the film under the the loose ended backing paper. When you get to the beginning, you may have to untape and retape a very slight distance away to avoid the bulge. Good luck!</p>

<p>I have read online that a Voigtlander Perkeo folder is another camera that can be used to respool 120 onto 620 spools.<br>

I have a Perkeo II but have not yet tried it for this purpose.</p>

<p>Oy I am tossing the Foldex and sending the Medalist to be modified when I can afford it... what a PITA!</p>

<p>Frank,</p>

<p>It's not THAT hard to re-spool film by hand, but I did have my Medalist II converted to 120 by Ken Ruth a few years ago and it certainly IS easier to use. I waited until it needed a CLA anyway.</p>