120 film with readable numbers?

[mh2000]

Getting back into 6x9 photography and having trouble with the Ilford light grey numbers on white and reading through the red window. Verichrome was always easy to read! Any alternative 100 speed film with easy to read numbers? I don't like Tmax. Thanks!

 

[markjwyatt]

I used Tri-X a couple of times. Catching the "1" is tricky, but after that with care it seems fine. Also Fomopan 400, more or less the same if I recall. I think both are black lettering. I was using an Ihagee 6x9 folder with a red window.

 

[Godfrey]

I sometimes use an illuminated pocket loupe when winding on a "red window" camera so i can see the numbers clearly.. 🙂

G

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Fomapan film is generally clear to see, but it has that marking that looks like "|I|" passing the red window at the beginning, which is not actually the first frame marker. That throws me off sometimes.
Got to wind until I see that line of dots! 😉

 

[petronius]

Rollei Superpan 200 has nicely readable numbers.

 

[css9450]

I was going to say, Fuji Acros has nice bold numbers, but by the time I logged on and started to type it occurred to me the new formula might not have the original Fuji backing paper. I've not used the new stuff yet.

 

[oftheherd]

I sometimes use an illuminated pocket loupe when winding on a "red window" camera so i can see the numbers clearly.. 🙂

G

I had a camera where the window was just hard to see through. I used a pocket flashlight that I could control the intensity by defocusing or putting the center of the beam off to the side. I don't have an illuminated pocket loupe. I think I would like that better.

 

[charjohncarter]

If you have a Mamiya Super 23 or maybe the Universal they made a back that is ratchet advance, so no window. I have the 6x7 version (back) and it works great. That way you could continue to use Ilford.

 

[mh2000]

Thanks guys! I ordered 5 rolls of Fomapan to see how that works out. The camera I'm trying to shoot this week is a Moskva-5, and even after trying to do the light block trick, holding the red window up to the sun to try and read those light grey numbers seems pretty risky! Efka used to have nice big black numbers, but it appears they are gone. The Rollei stuff seems too expensive to me. FP4+ is a nice film, just can't read the stupid numbers! Have to stick to ISO 100 since I don't feel really comfortable pushing the shutter all the way up to 1/250th on the camera.

 

[mh2000]

If you have a Mamiya Super 23 or maybe the Universal they made a back that is ratchet advance, so no window. I have the 6x7 version (back) and it works great. That way you could continue to use Ilford.

Oh boy! Yeah, I've always was interested in getting one of those!

I'm mostly liking the old folder cameras because it's basically a LF camera in your pocket! Can't see the Super 23 fitting in any pocket!

🙂

While slightly larger, my Frakka Rolfix is lighter than my Leica IIIf w/Elmar and just as pocketable!

 

[Godfrey]

Oh boy! Yeah, I've always was interested in getting one of those!

I'm mostly liking the old folder cameras because it's basically a LF camera in your pocket! Can't see the Super 23 fitting in any pocket!

🙂

While slightly larger, my Frakka Rolfix is lighter than my Leica IIIf w/Elmar and just as pocketable!

The Voigtländer Perkeo II is like that ... 6x6 format, folded up it's about the same size as a Leica CL film camera without the lens protrusion and a little lighter. It has a (slightly funky) auto-wind system: you only need to find a number marker for the first frame, the rest of the time it stops at the next frame due to the gearing in the transport interlock mechanism.

The Mamiya 23 Super is enormous by comparison... LOL!

G

 

[mh2000]

The Voigtländer Perkeo II is like that ... 6x6 format, folded up it's about the same size as a Leica CL film camera without the lens protrusion and a little lighter. It has a (slightly funky) auto-wind system: you only need to find a number marker for the first frame, the rest of the time it stops at the next frame due to the gearing in the transport interlock mechanism.

The Mamiya 23 Super is enormous by comparison... LOL!

G

Those are cute little cameras! I have a nice, but more pedestrian, Agfa Isolette that I managed to CLA into being a nice user, but as much as I can appreciate other peoples' square format work, I somehow can never get into it myself.

 

[mh2000]

Loaded up the Fomapan 100 and the numbers are fabulously readable! I guess Ilford is assuming everyoneeis using the film in a Hassy or something! :O

 

[oftheherd]

If you have a Mamiya Super 23 or maybe the Universal they made a back that is ratchet advance, so no window. I have the 6x7 version (back) and it works great. That way you could continue to use Ilford.

True and I always loved using mine, until I developed back problems (not related to the Super Press). But it is big and the 50mm lens and the 250mm RF coupled lenses (there us a 250mm non RF coupled and much smaller and lighter) require a crane to load on the front of the body. 😀 😀 :bang:

There are other 120 cameras that have auto advance, but I don't recall off the bat any that are 6x7 or 6x9, just 6x6, except I think the Superfekta might be in 6x7 mode, or was that 6x6 and 6x9 also?

Doubtless others are familiar with some which are.

 

[oftheherd]

If you have a Mamiya Super 23 or maybe the Universal they made a back that is ratchet advance, so no window. I have the 6x7 version (back) and it works great. That way you could continue to use Ilford.

Do you still use yours? As I mentioned in the post above, I am currently fighting a back problem just to walk. But I always thought it was one of the best and most useful and capable MF film cameras ever. Of course I realize everyone gets to set their own reasons for liking a particular camera.

 

[Hari]

I got a used Rolleicord IIc with the window.
I loaded Tri-x and missed the first time.
It used to be on a yellow paper but recently
the white/grey color of the paper makes it
hard to see in the red window.

 

[charjohncarter]

Do you still use yours? As I mentioned in the post above, I am currently fighting a back problem just to walk. But I always thought it was one of the best and most useful and capable MF film cameras ever. Of course I realize everyone gets to set their own reasons for liking a particular camera.

I still use mine, but it is a load to carry around. I like you find the photos from it are very hard to beat. In fact, I recently thought about what I would sell or give away and that was one of my last on the list. I have roll in the Pentax 6x7 now but when that is finished a 120 roll will be in the Super 23. Did you ever have a 65mm f6.3 What a lens that is?

 

[markjwyatt]

I think some film manufacturers stopped supporting Windows cameras

 

[oftheherd]

I still use mine, but it is a load to carry around. I like you find the photos from it are very hard to beat. In fact, I recently thought about what I would sell or give away and that was one of my last on the list. I have roll in the Pentax 6x7 now but when that is finished a 120 roll will be in the Super 23. Did you ever have a 65mm f6.3 What a lens that is?

Yes, that is a great lens. It was the 1st extra lens I acquired. It was especially good for me as I tend to see wide more than long. I took lots of photos with that lens before the shutter started to malfunction.

I have two now but both need serving. Interestingly when I got the 50mm I couldn't get the viewfinder. The few I have seen listed separately are usually very expensive. However, in 6x7 I found I could use the 65mm viewfinder with the 6x9 tabs and be very close. In case of critical need I also have the GG back and the sheet film holder with GG. Nice accessories.

 

[charjohncarter]

I find it hard to take a bad photo with my rig. Of course, unless I don't follow the list of steps I have taped to the back the camera: like not removing the dark slide.