Introductions

Other than simple box camera and camera obscura, folding cameras were among the oldest form of cameras out there, particularly which took paper roll film. In the later half of the 19th century roll film was not available until 1885-1888. Folding cameras were later produced near the end of the 19th century along with popular inexpensive box cameras such as the Kodak Brownies (note the name brownie is used throughout Kodak's production history).

Many of the folding cameras took a variety of film formats, mainly 116 (later Six-16 or 616), 120, and later on 620. All three share similar characteristics, a 620 was identical to a 120 except that the spools were different, and that 116 was a wider variation of the film at approximately 70cm wide as opposed to 60cm wide. Out of all three formats 120 still lives and is manufactured even to this day making it one of the oldest formats besides large-format sheet film.

While you would be somewhat out of luck if you had a 116-type folding or box camera there is hope for those who own a camera that takes the 620 format. Because the only difference between the films is the spool, it is possible to re-spool film off a 120 onto a 620 spool. However because the diameter of the 620 spool is smaller, you may require re-taping the end of the film to the paper back so that it doesn't bunch up in the middle of the roll. Near the end of this article I'll give some examples on how to re-spool a 120 roll onto a 620 spool.

There were plenty of folding cameras for medium format photography, anywhere from large 6x12 and 6x9 down to 6x4.5 cameras. Many would consider anything larger than 6x7 to be considered large format, but I wouldn't quibble over it as its still roll film.