220 Film

Now that Fuji has discontinued Pro 160NS in 220(I think as of February or March) does anyone know of any other makers/emulsions that are available in 220?

 

I've not shot a lot of 220 over the years-often times I've found that 12 exposures is perfect for me, and I've been in situations where I've just blown nothing shots on 135-36 just to finish a roll. With that said, I appreciate sometimes not having to stop and reload as often-something that's still a bit awkward even on a Rolleiflex with having to switch spools, and can take 3 hands on most SLRs since you usually need to remove the insert. There's also the fact that 220 backs/inserts are virtual give-away items for most SLRs these days while 120 backs for the more popular have held their value steadily.

 

I can also hope that Kodak Alaris finds it in their hearts to re-release TXP-320 in 220, but I won't hold my breath :) . Granted they are resurrecting an emulsion from the dead, so maybe getting a currently produced emulsion coated on acetate and spooled into rolls isn't too far fetched :)

Now that Fuji has discontinued Pro 160NS in 220(I think as of February or March) does anyone know of any other makers/emulsions that are available in 220?

It's a sad commentary on film photography but the B&H website does not list ANY 220 film options at all.

It's a sad commentary on film photography but the B&H website does not list ANY 220 film options at all.

 

Thank you Henry. I'd scoured B&H several times, but it's nice(albeit sad) to know that we're out of options. I don't think that the Fuji I mentioned has even been available in the US for a while.

 

 

Of course, a dream film for me would be(as I mentioned above) would be to see TXP-320 in 220 come back(I'd even take it in 120) and maybe even something like Portra 160.

 

 

Maybe Foma will throw us a bone one of these days and make some. They're not afraid to take on stuff like 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 sheet film.

 

 

As I said, one of the attractions to me these days is that 220 backs are virtually give-away items. Plus, now that I have caught the 6x7 bug, the higher capacity is nice.

Amazon.com : Kodak Portra 400 Professional ISO 400, 220 Color Negative Film (5 Roll per Pack) : Photographic Film : Camera & Photo

Try ebay also. Freestyle and Adorama do not list any 220 film.

I have never used 220 film. I am just curious if 120 film could be used in a 220 back. Would the thickness of the paper backing of 120 throw the focusing off? I would think that at f/16 the depth of focus would compensate for that, Or won't the film fit at all?

I have never used 220 film. I am just curious if 120 film could be used in a 220 back. Would the thickness of the paper backing of 120 throw the focusing off? I would think that at f/16 the depth of focus would compensate for that, Or won't the film fit at all?

 

I've heard mixed answers on that.

 

There were a lot of cameras where the same pressure plate was used for both 120 and 220. On some, you have to move the plate to a different position but on others the plate stayed in the same place and you just change a setting on the frame counter. The Bronica S/S2/C etc work like this. I think several Mamiya models move the pressure plate.

 

I would think that the extra thickness of 120 wouldn't necessarily affect flatness. At the same time, flatness can be "touchy" in MF anyway since you have a fairly large negative being supported by relatively narrow rails.

 

The focus itself shouldn't be affected because the film still rests against the film gate in both 120 and 220.

 

Of course, you still have the lingering frame counter issue-you'd have to watch your counter to realize when you're at the end of the roll and then dry fire a couple of times to get the backing paper all the way on to the takeup spool.

I've been using 120 film in 220 back - in my Bronica SQa and Hasselblad 501 - for years with NO ill effect. Why would there be; there the same - except for the counter. You'll get 11 exposure though.

Concerning 220 film there's a market for B&W as you don't have to mess with a lab as with C-41 - though there's a few who still process their own color film.

I shot 120 film in a 220 Rapid Omega 100 holder, Not without problems, but it worked in a pinch ( Rapid Omega 100 6x7 RF camera ). I did go ahead and get a120 holder though.

I've been using 120 film in 220 back - in my Bronica SQa and Hasselblad 501 - for years with NO ill effect. Why would there be; there the same - except for the counter. You'll get 11 exposure though.

Concerning 220 film there's a market for B&W as you don't have to mess with a lab as with C-41 - though there's a few who still process their own color film.

 

I do my own E-6 in 120 and 4x5. I got into it because there's not even a semi-local lab that will process sheet film, and shipping involves some logistic concerns(I finally had "well duh" moment when someone told me to use an empty film box, but I still worry about the wrong person opening it). I use a local lab for 35mm-I like to have it mounted, and also figure it's good to keep feeding the only full service lab around some E-6.

Ben, Yeah I used to process color - on occasion - but got out of it as i'm not set up for it anymore; though I still do my own B&W. Fortunately there's a local PRO lab nearby that does 35mm, 120, 220, and 4x5 to 8x10 : in E-6, C-41. And yes, I also like to support my local lab.

Kodak VPS SO-270 ISO 100 220 Medium Format Color Negative

Ben, Yeah I used to process color - on occasion - but got out of it as i'm not set up for it anymore; though I still do my own B&W. Fortunately there's a local PRO lab nearby that does 35mm, 120, 220, and 4x5 to 8x10 : in E-6, C-41. And yes, I also like to support my local lab.

 

If my local lab would do 4x5, I'd give them all my color business.

 

They do get all my C-41 business, although I don't use a lot anymore. I've liked the Ektar 100 I've shot, although I absolutely loved 400UC and shot a lot of that in both 120 and 35mm. I need to get some 120 Ektar.

 

I also try to take in a couple of rolls of E-6 at a time, and encourage them to not run it until they have enough to make it worthwhile to bring the chemistry up.

 

A lot of the reason why I do the 120 E-6 myself is because I just don't do enough 4x5 to justify keeping the chemistry. I shoot a decent amount of 120, so I wait until I have enough of that. Right now I have a 5 rolls of 120 and 6 sheets of 4x5, which is probably about right. At the same time, I also kind of want to at least finish the roll of Provia in one of my backs now and probably run some through my new RB-67

Edited May 5, 2017 by ben_hutcherson