Answers to the frequently asked questions that arrive regularly in my inbox. I realize there is more than one way to achieve an outcome, but these are my time-honored methods.

How is 620 different from 120 film?
The difference is merely the spool size. You will notice that the 120 spool is all-around thicker. The 620 spool is thinner and you find them made of both metal and plastic. The film fits on both spools.

Where can I buy 620 film?
Before I knew better, I would pay $9/roll for 620 film at B+H Photo in New York. I despise B+H so much, I have removed their link from this site. Below are several excellent sources for odd/old film sizes. I am also told by a very reliable source that you can contact Kodak directly to purchase 620, however I have never tried it. In the end, I always to roll my own.

How to roll 120 on a 620 spool.
You need to find a totally dark room. If you lack this, I suggest buying a changing bag at a camera supply store. (They are very handy in all kinds of situations, really.) In the bag, or in the totally dark room, you will need: Your new roll of 120 film, an empty 120 spool, an empty 620 spool, and tape.

Unroll the fresh 120 film on the empty 120 spool. This goes relatively fast. Be mindful not to touch the film or mangle it in anyway. In my experience, rolling it on an empty 120 spool helps control the film during the re-spooling process.

Now roll the film on the 620 spool. This takes practice and skill. It also involves the tiniest amount of touching the film. Remember that the film is taped to the backing at the "beginning" of the roll, where the frame number reads "1." You are re-spooling from the end of the roll, where the film is not taped to the backing. You will have to feel for the the film, as it is just kinda hanging out free style. It is critical that you re-spool the film with the backing.

Make sure that the film fits snuggly around the spool and that it and the backing are not hanging over the sides. This will expose the edges of the film.

Once you are in good shape, fold in the backing, and tape the outside so it doesn't unspool.

Where can I buy 620 spools?
That is a good question. Hopefully you find a camera with its own spool, but you still need another one, right? I have seen them on eBay, but they can be costly. You may decide to invest in a few crappy cameras just for the spools. I've done that. I find that it is best to acquires as many as possible and reuse them constantly. Also, I prefer metal 620 spools. I have run into film advancing problems with the plastic 620 spools.

Note: I process my own negatives so I never lose a spool to a professional photography lab. If you are getting your negs processed by a lab, ask them to please return your spools.

Do any cameras take either or both 120 and 620?
Yes. I have a few of them on my site. They are the Ilford Envoy, Coronet Twelve-20, and Ensign Ful-Vue. These cameras were made in England. I'm sure there are more out there, but these are the ones that I am familiar with.

What other film sizes can you tell me about?
I have been trying to branch out to 127 film for longer than I care to admit. I finally shot a roll in the early spring of 2006. It turned out brilliantly. I had no problem processing the negatives myself. BUT, sleeving them is a pain because I have not found 127 sleeves. Scanning them is proving to be a challenge because I do not have a 127 negative carrier for the slide scanner. A work in-progress. The negatives are gorgeous.

Links

Film for Classics. Here.

Central Camera. Here.

Frugal Photographer. Here.

J and C Photo. Here.

Freestyle Photographic Supplies. Here.