How to Re-Spool 120 Film to Make 620

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Too many people think you can just clip a 120 & stuff it in a 620 camera. This only works as a source spool. You risk damage to your camera trying this as a take up spool- also folders are too narrow.

by Yvonne Kirk

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Step 1 of 14

ATTENTION! all steps in this tutorial are done IN THE TOTAL DARKNESS. Once you start you cannot turn on the lights / pull your hands out of the dark bag. A MICRO SECOND OF LIGHT WILL DESTROY YOUR FILM

Step 2 of 14

Gather your stuff. Once you start you can't stop and get stuff.

Step 3 of 14

You need to work in the total darkness. I will use a backing paper and a spool for demonstration purposes but remember... Always in the day. A nano second of light will destroy your film.

Step 4 of 14

Take the tape off and start to unscroll the film. You can use the spare 120 spool for this.

Step 5 of 14

As you improve you don't need the other spool.. For now.. Roll the whole thing on to the spare spool (remember in total darkness!!)

Step 6 of 14

You can get quite fast after a few rolls

Step 7 of 14

When the tail pulls off its time to get your 620 spool

Step 8 of 14

Tuck the tail and the sticker on to the new roll. Keep taught but not super tight.. Roll slowly now.. Feeling for the loose end of the film.. It's a way in

Step 9 of 14

I'm using a piece of paper to show you , the film end will be loose like this.. Feel for it. The roll carefully tucking the film in.

Step 10 of 14

Tuck and feel for it sitting properly. Fri Here keep tension as Before, but now you will feel a "bubble" of film as the 620 spool is thinner.. The bubble will move along as we roll.

Step 11 of 14

The start of the film is taped down. Your film will bunch here. Holding on to your rolls loosen the tape & allow it to restick as you roll. Check it has stuck & use extra tape if it didn't. Make sure!

Step 12 of 14

Roll to the end and fold over the start. Take out of your bag and tape the end down. Roll your 620 film into some tinfoil to keep it light safe. Load into your six-20 cameras and enjoy!

Step 13 of 14

What'll I do with the 120 spool. Well!! If you send your films away to develop.. Before you do.. Re-spool back on to the 120 and re-use your precious 620 again keeping it safe from loss.

Step 14 of 14

Clinching... Well when you are spooling and you pull to tighten the film in the thinner spool, you are clinching. This creates scratches on your film and will show up in your photos. Avoid doing this.

You're Done!

Start over