220 Film Production

[ray*j*gun]

I guess I have been living in a bubble but whatever... my question is does anyone still produce 220 roll film?

I am especially interested in monochrome but at this point I would like to know whether getting a 220 back for my Hassey 500C/M would make any sense at all.

Thanks!!

 

[sevo]

No. Ilford's 220 machinery broke down more than a decade ago and was not replaced. Fuji and Kodak discontinued their 220 one by one. The last 220 IIRC was Kodak Portra, with expiration dates late 2014, so there might still be good old stock around.

 

[mpaniagua]

No. Ilford's 220 machinery broke down more than a decade ago and was not replaced. Fuji and Kodak discontinued their 220 one by one. The last 220 IIRC was Kodak Portra, with expiration dates late 2014, so there might still be good old stock around.

No wonder why 220 backs are cheap and plentiful uh?

 

[Mackinaw]

No wonder why 220 backs are cheap and plentiful uh?

Which is why the 220 back for my Rolleiflex 6006 sits all by it's self, in the back of my closet.

Jim B.

 

[Archlich]

Not anymore in US, as far as I know. In Japan you can still buy fresh Pro160NS and Velvia 100 in 220 (both of which the pro packs are going VERY cheap, indicating that they are about to go as well), and that's about it.

We saw quite a number of 135 B&W films being released lately. All rebadged. It would really be (more) helpful if they could divert some energy...into offering those emulsions in 220...or am I asking too much? I mean, in comparison, even Lomo did a better job in enriching the selection of medium format films...

 

[ray*j*gun]

Sad.... guess I will pass on the "great deals" on 220 backs for the Blad. Thanks.

 

[sevo]

It would really be (more) helpful if they could divert some energy...into offering those emulsions in 220...or am I asking too much?

It needs very different spooling tools. And sales are way too low to run them, even more so to set up new ones (Ilford once quoted something like half a million for replacement of their 220 spooling machines). 220 always was a niche product with no market apart from high volume pros. And even photographers that firmly went for 220 had to have 120 equipment around as the choice of films in 220 was limited. And 220 had processing issues that already drove many studios off it by the late 80s. It had to be looped in most large tank/hanger processors, being longer than the 135 rolls they were designed for, and the one frame going around the frame edge always had somewhat inconsistent colour - that was below the threshold of halftone processes in the 60s to mid 80s, but it became visible in the final print once scanners took over...

 

[ray*j*gun]

Yes far too much to overcome. thanks for the comments and help guys.

 

[williaty]

OTOH, 220 backs can be misused interestingly by putting 135-36 into them.

 

[Prest_400]

Not anymore in US, as far as I know. In Japan you can still buy fresh Pro160NS and Velvia 100 in 220 (both of which the pro packs are going VERY cheap, indicating that they are about to go as well), and that's about it.

We saw quite a number of 135 B&W films being released lately. All rebadged. It would really be (more) helpful if they could divert some energy...into offering those emulsions in 220...or am I asking too much? I mean, in comparison, even Lomo did a better job in enriching the selection of medium format films...

Indeed. Portra was the last Worldwide but until recently (couple of years ago) I saw that Provia 100, Velvia 50, Pro 400H and 160NS were in 220. Early last year there was an odd production run of Fuji Pro 400 (the Japan only non-H) which was particularly strange, as that product was discontinued.
Cheap, because the price is just about 2x120 and not like the Portras. IIRC Portra 400 was 30-35€ 5x120 and 90€ 5x220.

I recently purchased from an ebay seller a pack of 160NS 220 dated 2/2018; which is the last 220, as it has been discontinued. Thought out loud: It is curious how the last standing 220 is not a 400 C41 film, being them so popular in the wedding crowd.

Sevo, that problems I didn't read about before and it is interesting to know which issues the format has/had in practical terms.
I'll keep my pack for a long trip, there 220 has an advantage of saving space and rather useful giving 16exp on 6x9.

 

[europanorama]

One can tape two 120 films and remove paper at film-level easily. one must only check paper length. it could be end-paper of 220 is longer than in 120. so be cautious when opening back/cam. i used the silver tape but will also try the more stiff red translucent(he silver one is also) wider one used in labs.
are there other good tapes? easier using 70mm and cut down before developping. filmslitters here-all sizes possible but not every time in stock. china-made
Joe MCGloin
xkaes at aol dot com