My Mountain Trail

Jiffy Time

Let’s say you buy a 75-year old camera, just wondering what it might produce. It takes obsolete film (620). You might be able to put some modern 120 film in it, but the cost of developing the roll is almost equal to the value of the camera… and it takes a long time to get results. What to do?

Hmm. Okay, I have some cheap 35 mm film. Rewind it on the 620 spools? Hmm, I have some 120 film too, but I have to cut the spools and it still costs a bunch to have it developed (and even more if I do it myself since it takes so much time).

My solution: See if the 35mm cartridge will fit in the film supply. Yep, that will work. Thread it on the 620 reel and fire away. Sort of blind… No frame numbers etc. Hmm, all done. Now what? I respooled the film in the 35mm cartridge and took it to the drugstore. $2.40 (including tax) and one hour later I could see that the camera works. And I know the approximate shutter speed and aperture of this camera. NOW it makes sense to run some 120 film through it.

The pink spots are from the red frame window. Even though I didn’t open it, it is an obvious light leak. Something to think a bit more about. Unless you like pink.