120 Matchbox Pinhole Project – Part 9 – The Film

This is the ninth of a number of posts devoted to the construction and the use of my 120 Matchbox Pinhole Camera.

You can go back to any of the previous 120 Matchbox Project posts using the links below.

Wrapped 120 film rolls

The film for this project is referred to as 120 film. It is available from a number of sources including the major camera stores as well as eBay. It comes in either Black and White or Color. For this project, I would recommend a 160 or 400 ISO daylight film speed. I tend to use outdated films for my pinhole work.

Most larger towns have a lab or two that will process 120. Or if you are so inclined, you can develop it yourself with the proper chemistry.

120 film is a roll-film that has a paper backing to protect the actual film. The film is wound tightly onto a spool that is designed to protect the film from direct exposure to light. To use this film, we will also need an empty take-up spool.

Empty spools are available from film labs as well as eBay sellers. You can also borrow a spool from an old 120 camera.

The paper band is split

Once the film wrapper is removed, the paper film band is split to allow the film to be loaded.

Thumbscrew threading

Before loading, the film winding assembly needs to be started into the top end of the film spool. A turn or two should allow the screw threads to thread itself into the relatively soft plastic spool. This will allow the film to be pulled through the camera and becomes your means for advancing the film. Once you have a good thread started, remove the screw assembly and wait for the next post.

In the next post, we will load the film and assemble the camera. After that step, we will begin to use the camera.

Links to previous Matchbox Pinhole Camera posts: 

120 Matchbox Pinhole Project – Part 1

120 Matchbox Pinhole Project – Part 2

120 Matchbox Pinhole Project – Part 3

120 Matchbox Pinhole Project – Part 4

120 Matchbox Pinhole Project – Part 5 – Shutter

120 Matchbox Pinhole Project – Part 6 – Pinhole

120 Matchbox Pinhole Project – Part 7 – Install Pinhole

120 Matchbox Pinhole Project – Part 8 – Pinhole and Shutter Install

Read more about Pinhole Photography and other great photographic techniques in my book Rethinking Digital Photography.

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