Old 70mm negatives

Well, I just bought two packages of negative sleeves for 120,
and discovered that my old negatives don't fit. They appear
to be closer to 70mm in width, and a quick Google search
informs me that is a standard film width. I've heard of it for
motion picture film, but not for still photography. Was this
type of film in common use for amateur photography back
in the 1920s and 1930s?

Thanks
-Mark

On 2/16/2004 9:16 PM Mark spake thus:

Well, I just bought two packages of negative sleeves for 120,
and discovered that my old negatives don't fit. They appear
to be closer to 70mm in width, and a quick Google search
informs me that is a standard film width. I've heard of it for
motion picture film, but not for still photography. Was this
type of film in common use for amateur photography back
in the 1920s and 1930s?

At least one old film format (Kodak's no. 116) was basically 70mm. (I know
because I have an old Hawkeye that takes this size film, and I'm still looking
for some to use.)


--
It's fun to demonize the neo-cons and rejoice in their discomfiture, but
don't make the mistake of thinking US foreign policy was set by Norman
Podhoretz or William Kristol. They're the clowns capering about in front of
the donkey and the elephant. The donkey says the UN should clean up after
them, and the elephant now says the donkey may have a point. Somebody has
come out with a dustpan and broom.

- Alexander Cockburn, _CounterPunch_
(http://www.counterpunch.org), 9/17/03

Mark wrote:
Well, I just bought two packages of negative sleeves for 120,
and discovered that my old negatives don't fit. They appear
to be closer to 70mm in width, and a quick Google search
informs me that is a standard film width. I've heard of it for
motion picture film, but not for still photography. Was this
type of film in common use for amateur photography back
in the 1920s and 1930s?


116? I think 116 and 616 were both 70mm wide. How big is the exposed
image? Most of the 70mm backs expose an image in one of the standard 120
sizes. 116 is much wider.

Nick

David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 2/16/2004 9:16 PM Mark spake thus:

Well, I just bought two packages of negative sleeves for 120,
and discovered that my old negatives don't fit. They appear
to be closer to 70mm in width, and a quick Google search
informs me that is a standard film width. I've heard of it for
motion picture film, but not for still photography. Was this
type of film in common use for amateur photography back
in the 1920s and 1930s?

At least one old film format (Kodak's no. 116) was basically 70mm. (I know
because I have an old Hawkeye that takes this size film, and I'm still looking
for some to use.)


Are you looking for 116 or 70mm to respool? You could ask J&C when the 116
is supposed to be available. 70mm is available in 100 feet bulk rolls from
B&H.

Nick

"Nick Zentena" wrote:
116? I think 116 and 616 were both 70mm wide. How big is the exposed
image? Most of the 70mm backs expose an image in one of the standard 120
sizes. 116 is much wider.

The exposed area is 64mm wide by 106mm.
With the border, the negatives are 69mm by 116mm.

(These measurements were taken with a ruler incremented in sixteenths of an
inch, converted to decimal and multiplied by 25.4.)

-Mark

Mark wrote:

"Nick Zentena" wrote:
116? I think 116 and 616 were both 70mm wide. How big is the exposed
image? Most of the 70mm backs expose an image in one of the standard 120
sizes. 116 is much wider.

The exposed area is 64mm wide by 106mm.
With the border, the negatives are 69mm by 116mm.

(These measurements were taken with a ruler incremented in sixteenths of an
inch, converted to decimal and multiplied by 25.4.)


4.5inches makes it 116/616 I bet.

Nick

On 2/17/2004 5:05 AM Nick Zentena spake thus:

David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 2/16/2004 9:16 PM Mark spake thus:

Well, I just bought two packages of negative sleeves for 120,
and discovered that my old negatives don't fit. They appear
to be closer to 70mm in width, and a quick Google search
informs me that is a standard film width. I've heard of it for
motion picture film, but not for still photography. Was this
type of film in common use for amateur photography back
in the 1920s and 1930s?

At least one old film format (Kodak's no. 116) was basically 70mm. (I know
because I have an old Hawkeye that takes this size film, and I'm still looking
for some to use.)

Are you looking for 116 or 70mm to respool? You could ask J&C when the 116
is supposed to be available. 70mm is available in 100 feet bulk rolls from
B&H.

I'm looking for 116 so I can use my Hawkeye (seems to have a pretty nice lens
on it). I know about those 100' rolls: thanks, but no thanks. I've been
emailing J & C since they announced the forthcoming availability of this film
(I heard 1Q this year), but so far nothing.


--
It's fun to demonize the neo-cons and rejoice in their discomfiture, but
don't make the mistake of thinking US foreign policy was set by Norman
Podhoretz or William Kristol. They're the clowns capering about in front of
the donkey and the elephant. The donkey says the UN should clean up after
them, and the elephant now says the donkey may have a point. Somebody has
come out with a dustpan and broom.

- Alexander Cockburn, _CounterPunch_
(http://www.counterpunch.org), 9/17/03

David Nebenzahl wrote:


I'm looking for 116 so I can use my Hawkeye (seems to have a pretty nice lens
on it). I know about those 100' rolls: thanks, but no thanks. I've been
emailing J & C since they announced the forthcoming availability of this film
(I heard 1Q this year), but so far nothing.


I keep thinking about getting a nice 116/616 camera. The fridge is
stocked with 300' of 70mm film I picked up for a good price awhile back and
I'm not worried too much about respooling. But things like empty spools and
backing paper seem to be more of an issue.

Nick

On 2/17/2004 11:34 AM Nick Zentena spake thus:

David Nebenzahl wrote:

I'm looking for 116 so I can use my Hawkeye (seems to have a pretty nice lens
on it). I know about those 100' rolls: thanks, but no thanks. I've been
emailing J & C since they announced the forthcoming availability of this film
(I heard 1Q this year), but so far nothing.

I keep thinking about getting a nice 116/616 camera. The fridge is
stocked with 300' of 70mm film I picked up for a good price awhile back and
I'm not worried too much about respooling. But things like empty spools and
backing paper seem to be more of an issue.

Yes, backing paper: you hit the nail right on the head. If not for that
detail, a guy could get one of those big rolls of 70mm film and roll his own
116 (at least as many as he has 116 spools for). Since I'm now working as a
printer, I should investigate getting suitable paper (opaque, basically) in
realllly long lengths. (I've seen spools from time to time on eBay.)

Then maybe a bunch of us wackos could go in together and get some usable 116
(or 616) film out of it. Perhaps you'd be willing to donate part of your
stash? (All in the name of science, of course.)

By the way, as further incentive, my camera, which is in very good shape, cost
me $5 at a local flea market.


--
It's fun to demonize the neo-cons and rejoice in their discomfiture, but
don't make the mistake of thinking US foreign policy was set by Norman
Podhoretz or William Kristol. They're the clowns capering about in front of
the donkey and the elephant. The donkey says the UN should clean up after
them, and the elephant now says the donkey may have a point. Somebody has
come out with a dustpan and broom.

- Alexander Cockburn, _CounterPunch_
(http://www.counterpunch.org), 9/17/03

David Nebenzahl wrote:


Yes, backing paper: you hit the nail right on the head. If not for that


I've thought of taping two rolls of 120 together but the seam in the
middle might be a problem.



Then maybe a bunch of us wackos could go in together and get some usable 116
(or 616) film out of it. Perhaps you'd be willing to donate part of your
stash? (All in the name of science, of course.)


Shipping it across the border might cost more then I paid for it. One roll
is out of date and cost me $10. The other two are fresh and cost I think
$30. It shows up on Ebay quite often. Usually colour. Mine is all Porta NC.
The expensive stuff is the shorter pre-rolled cans. 15feet?

Nick