Transferring 120 film from 620 spool to 120 spool without changing bag?

jusxusfanatic

jusxusfanatic

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Transferring 120 film from 620 spool to 120 spool without changing bag? Is that possible since I don't have one 😅 Can anything replace it, or should I just do it in the dark, under a bed blanket? Thanks~
 
Closet?

Darkness, real darkness, is required. You'll need to stay in the area that you think is dark for ten minutes or more for the light leaks to show up as your eyes adapt. Nothing worse than thinking I've found a dark room only to stand there loading film holders and watch the space start taking on a glow as the leaks become visible.
 
jusxusfanatic said:
Transferring 120 film from 620 spool to 120 spool without changing bag? Is that possible since I don't have one 😅 Can anything replace it, or should I just do it in the dark, under a bed blanket? Thanks~
Click to expand...
My worry would be, "how dark is 'dark' under a bed blanket ?" EDIT : just seen that Dan has elaborated the point more constructively above :).
I got myself a cheapo black bag, which does the job. If I was going to do the transfer often, I would consider getting a 'scrap' old simple folder, or box camera, of the sort with 120/620 spool mounts, and wind across in that.
 
Total dark is what you need. If after ten minutes in the dark you can see anything you're probably fogging film. If you see very slight light at the edges of your door and can't make out shapes or detail you're probably ok. I'd suggest doind a test roll first or clip of film. I'd take a few inches of the film you'll be using and place it face up in the dark area where you'll be loading. Place something like a paper clip on it so you can see fog easier. Leave it there for ten minutes or as long as it takes you to re-spool a roll then process the clip. See if you can see the outline of the paper clip.

Why not just get a change bag. You probably can find a cheap used one on ebay. They're not expensive. You only have to ruin a few rolls to pay for one.
 
Why not put both in a cheap folder type camera and wind it onto the empty 620 spool? Just keep it tight.
 
besk said:
Why not put both in a cheap folder type camera and wind it onto the empty 620 spool? Just keep it tight.
Click to expand...

Because when you get to the end of the film it isn't taped down to the paper? And when you go to wind the other way this loose film end can cause problems in winding and take-up? I'm not certain, having not taken the chance (and having a changing bag).
 
Question. Why?

I assume that you have a 620 camera and want to load 120 on to a 620 spool, shoot then transfer back so you can send for processing without losing your 620 spool.

But have you tried the nail clipper method on 120 spools? It works very well.

also you can request to get your 620 spool back.
 
I'm using a 120 roll, then it's going onto the 620 roll haha. Yea I know I can request to get my 620 spool back, but the manager is very forget full.. lol
 
As I remember you have to do it twice: plastic spool to 620 spool, the 620 spool to another 620 spool. Unless you want it laying on the floor. Then if you are sending it out re-roll it to a 120 spool. Keep it tight, as the spools have a different diameter or the shaft the film will buckle if you don't do it correctly.
 
I used to use a basement bathroom, and pile towels around the bottom of the door, and worked on the film rolls with my back to the door.
 
nail clippers on the 120 plastic spool works like a charm with my Brownie Flash 4. i even use the nail filer to clean up the rough spots :)
 
My Nuritsu darkbox cost all of 45$ USD shipped to my door.

It's huge inside, with jigs for holding APS-110-35mm cartridges to aid unloading.

The hand pockets are very long and offer a great deal of comfort and flexibility.

I can easily watch the tube with it sitting on my lap...

Why make so much trouble for yourself in the short term... When 50$ can save you the trouble for a life's worth of swapping/loading/unloading.

Just my 2 cents.
 
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