Camera Talk

I have always thought about that issue, Minoly. Many manufacturers made 35mm and 120 folders (typically 6x6) that were more or less sisters, for instance Voigtlander with Perkeo and Vito; Agfa with Isolettes and Solinettes; Zeiss-Ikon with the Ikonta 35 (Contina) and the Ikonta series. But Kodak stuck to 35mm in the postwar period, and the only 6x6 Kodak that I remember is the Hawkeye.

620 format is too complicated for me these days, but the Duos look like fine cameras. Maybe I need to have a look there.

There's nothing like re-rolling your own, Graham. And 620 day (June 20th) is just around the corner.

PF

Kodak didn't make many quality 6x6 cameras, and I believe that after it introduced 620 film, it made ZERO 120 film cameras with one exception.

Here are a couple of Kodak's 6x6 cameras:

Kodak/Nagel Vollenda 620
While most people know about the 6x4.5 version, this is one of those cameras that isn't seen as often. I've owned this for maybe a decade. I don't recall when or where I bought it. I had to rebuild the shutter release lever so that it would trip the shutter.


Kodak Chevron
This was the successor to the Kodak Medalist I and II. The body bears a striking resemblance to the Kodak Signet 35. Although it's quite large, I find that this camera is easier to hold than the Medalist. This has a four-element (I believe) lens.


Kodak 66
This is the only Kodak camera that I know of in the 620 era that takes 120 film. This camera was made in the U.K., and from what I understand, it was created by the staff there with the permission of U.S. Kodak. It's a simple folding camera. I have two of the three models, and if I can locate either of them tonight, I'll post a photo. It is a folding camera with a plastic top deck and simple Galilean viewfinder.

I think there were a few simple bakelitle 6x6 Kodak cameras - the Hawkeye? Aside from these, I don't know of any others.

Julio, lovely shots! I would love to get one of my old 120 folders out of mothballs, but I have no manner of scanning the negs and no darkroom. How do you scan? And please don't say "with money!"

Thanks Graham! I scan all my negs with an Epson V600 (both 120 and 35mm) using its native software. The V600 will scan 120 film (and 35mm as well), it comes with plastic holders. Second best investment I ever made in the digital world (first one is my printer, Epson L210 with ink tanks). They tell me that there are newer models out there.

FWIW, I do some basic postprocessing in GIMP (which is free software), such as rotating to have a horizontal horizon, cropping, or scaling for web sizes. I usually scan at 1200 dpi, which is more than enough for 120 film. The scanner supposedly goes down to 3200 dpi but I'd only use that definition if I had to prove something, because it is too slow.

Mike, thanks for this information about 6x6 Kodaks. Never heard about the Chevron; it does look like a sister of the Signet 35; should be an interesting camera. I also forgot to mention the Kodak Reflex TLR.

Maybe we need a thread on scanners and scanning. I use a V700 and the native software. I use PS Elements 7, GIMP and IRFANVIEW. The last 2 being free for post processing. I looked into getting a dedicated scanner for 35mm but with the results I am getting even with it for 35mm I will wait until it dies as I also have a V500 that I got at a Goodwill store for $5.00 and the Lomography holders I got hold even the worst cupping and curling film flat.

Julio, I forgot about the Kodak Reflex TLRs! Those are good cameras.

I agree about the thread on scanning. Maybe I'll start that now.

I am going to check out the Lomography holders. I think the stock holders with my Epson are adequate but really struggle with curled negatives.

They are also well built but a reasonable price. I was able to adjust mine with those little felt pads.
https://www.lomography.com/magazine/402 ... format-too

Julio1fer wrote:Thanks Graham! I scan all my negs with an Epson V600 (both 120 and 35mm) using its native software. The V600 will scan 120 film (and 35mm as well), it comes with plastic holders. Second best investment I ever made in the digital world (first one is my printer, Epson L210 with ink tanks). They tell me that there are newer models out there.

Thanks for the answer, Julio. I guess I will be prowling the charity shops (thrift stores) for a while.

Thanks for the answer, Julio. I guess I will be prowling the charity shops (thrift stores) for a while.

Graham, you may wish to explore using a digital camera for "scanning." I have no links handy, but do a search.