I have a few old kodak cameras, a couple of brownies etc... I will eventually find someone who can fix them to use 120 film. The one I liked the best is an Ansco, But in the mean time i got a flyer from calumet photo, and am very interested in knowing about this camera they are offering. The Seagull wwsc-120. I kind of looks like my Ansco. It accepts 120 film and looks like fun. Has anyone used this or a simular camera? And what would be some fun things to try with it? I was kind of thinking of getting some infrared film to use with it. But can you get any red filters to fit it, or maybe rig up a geliten wratten filter???? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks,

-- martha goldsmith (oscar@unidial.com), November 11, 1999

Answers

I don't know much about the Seagull - I have a Pearl River. Generally the cheap Chinese cameras are a lot of fun. They tend to have some light leaks, or the red plastic through which you read the film numbers, will let light in. However, they are pretty nice & you can take outstanding photos with them. I think you would enjoy the camera - if the price is right.

About your other cameras. If they are 620, all you need to do is get an extra 620 film spool and re-spool 120 [in the darkromm] onto the 620 roll. I have a little 'Argus 75' and that method works quite well. You can also still get 620 film. If you 'poke' around the web, you will find it advertised. [I lost the web address].

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), November 13, 1999.

Respooling 120 film to 620 spools is not necessary. All you have to do is to find some proper plastic tube like soda straw or something, and cut little pieces for the sprocket holes of the 120 spool - they are larger than the holes of 620 spools. 120 spools will fit into any 620 film using camera with these aids. -You will need an empty 620 spool for takeup side, it is more difficult to adapt 120 spools there. -s

-- Sakari Mdkeld (sakari.makela@koulut.vantaa.fi), November 16, 1999.

Is anyone producing infrared film in 120? I'm relatively sure that HIE is only available in 35mm and sheet film. What about Konica? are they producing their infrared in 120? Ilfords SFX-200 also is only available in 35mm.

-- Fritz M. Brown (brownf@idhw.state.id.us), November 16, 1999.

Thanks Sakari - I did not know that. I guess I just figured since the take-up side would not accept the 120 roll, the other end wouldn't either.

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), November 17, 1999.

I lied. Both Konica and Ilford produce their films in 120. HIE, however is only available in 35mm and 4x5 sheets.

-- Fritz M. Brown (brownf@idhw.state.id.us), November 17, 1999.

and HIE is available in 70mm rolls...t

-- tom meyer (twm@mindspring.com), November 17, 1999.

I have explored MF with a Seagull for several months seeing how the the format differs from my Nikon system. I have made some decent pictures with the Seagull, although not Hasselblad contrast and ease of use, it suffices for group photos and outside scenes. The wide open aperatures might show some vignetting and fade in the corners so I stick to f/8 or smaller. I have not been able to find screw-on filters for the camera. I rig geletin filters using a double ended spring clip. It is awkward but effective. I have had a problem with the film advance in the Seagull. It would have the tendancy to slip when trying to advance the film. I solve the problem by putting in a small spacer to hold the spool tight against the pin/sprocket and haven't had a probelm since.

-- Brian Parsley (bparsley@alltel.net), December 01, 1999.