Custom 120 film cutter: configure your 120 film cutter kit by selecting the components you need. This film cutter is designed to convert 120 film into many different formats, from 127 to 16mm, from unperforate 35mm to the sub-miniature 8×11 Minox.
Before delving into the single cutters’ capabilities, we have to consider some characteristics of the 120 film standards.
120 Film Dimensions & Edge Considerations
While the backing paper of 120 film measures approximately 63mm in width, the actual film itself is narrower, typically around 61mm. These dimensions may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer, but the differences are minimal. The backing paper is slightly wider than the film to guarantee better protection from light leaks along the border of the film when the roll is handled outside the camera.
The cutters’ opening accommodates the full 63mm width of the backing paper. However, because the film inside is slightly narrower, it can move vertically within the channel. This small amount of play may affects the final effective width of the cut strip by a couple of tenth of millimeters. Since the blades themselves guide and keep the film aligned along its entire length during the cutting process, any effective vertical movement of the film is virtually imperceptible. In practical terms, this slight tolerance does not compromise the behavior of the film once loaded into the camera.
In fact, it is preferable for the film to sit marginally lower rather than slightly oversized. A fractionally narrower strip ensures smoother travel inside the camera and easier loading into spools or cartridges, reducing the risk of friction, binding, or edge interference during operation.
NOTE: The film strips obtained from the outer edges of the 120 roll are not only slightly narrower than their respective backing paper, but they also retain the original factory edge markings. These typically include the film brand, film type, and other manufacturer imprints that are pre-exposed along the margins of the roll. As a result, when using edge-derived strips, these markings may appear within the image area, depending on framing and camera tolerances.
To eliminate this issue, dedicated cutters have been introduced that remove the outer portions of the film entirely. Although this means sacrificing the edge material, it guarantees a more precise final width and ensures that no factory overprints or edge markings will intrude into the final image frame.
Film Cutting Phases
The film cutting process consists of the following steps:
-
Film preparation.
The initial section of the backing paper is trimmed to match the shape required for insertion into the cutter. This allows the film and paper to enter the cutting path correctly. -
Feeding and attachment.
The backing paper “tails” are inserted into the cutter and connected to the feeder, which is attached to the take-up spool. -
Cutting operation.
The assembly is placed inside the box and closed. The cut is performed by rotating the take-up spool, using either the knob or the crank.
For cutters that include the 127 format, two respoolers are available. These allow the previously cut 127 strip to be rewound onto an original 127 spool for use in the camera.
Maxi Cutter Kit configuration
To simplify kit selection and prevent missing components, the various parts are grouped by format. This allows users to purchase exactly what they need for their intended configuration without confusion.
The standard kit composition includes:
-
Box
The main housing unit that contains the cutting mechanism. -
Knob or crank
The crank is recommended for cutters equipped with more than two blades, as it provides smoother and more stable rotation. -
Cutting kit for the selected formats
The blade module corresponding to the specific formats the user wishes to obtain. -
Respooler (for 127 cutters)
Available as an optional accessory. While 127 film can be rewound manually, doing so requires working in a darkroom or inside a dark changing bag. The respooler simplifies this operation and allows controlled rewinding onto the original 127 spool. -
Film retaining clips
Available separately. These clips are designed to hold the film securely on the spool and prevent it from unrolling. A similar result can be achieved using adhesive tape or small elastic bands, but this makes the process slower and less practical. The clips provide a quicker and purpose-built solution for this specific task.
The cutters and their formats explained
All the different cutting kits include the cutter itself, the film ruler and the feeders. These components are bundled in the same color, to immediately distinguish them from the other components that have a different purpose or should be used in other phases (repooler and guide for the 127 formats, knobs atecetera).
The number on the cutters and the rulers help identify what formats will be produced. Note that the number are an indication of the expected format, non the actual size of the resulting film. For example: the 16+16+16+16 cutter will make 4 strips for 16mm cameras, but actual height the strips is a little less than 16mm because ∿62/4 equals 15,5mm. More on this is explained below.
Complete list of cutters
- 127 ONLY produces one single strip of 47mm film in the middle of the roll, avoiding the preprintd markings on the film. The numbers in the backing paper are visible in the central red window. The top and bottom film leftovers are unusable.
- 127 + 16 gives two usable film strips: one for 127 and one for 16mm cameras. The 127 strip measuring approximately 46mm (with an effective film width around 45.5mm), while preserving a correctly sized 16mm strip from the remaining portion of the 120 roll. Preprintd markings will be visible in the exposed frame.
- 35 + 16 delivers two strips: 35mm and 16mm. The film strips avoid the preprinted film writings along the borders
- 16 + 16 + 16 + 16 slits the 120 film in 4 strips of quasi 16mm film. The whole surface of the 120 film is used: the preprinted film writings remains on the two lateral strips.
- 16 + 16 + 16 slits the 120 film in 3 strips of precise 16mm film. The film strips avoid the preprinted film writings along the borders, that’s why some film is sacrificed.
- 16 + 16 + 9,2 slits the 120 film in 2 strips of precise 16mm film + one strip of 9,2mm film for Minox 8×11 format. The film strips avoid the preprinted markings along the borders, that’s why some film is sacrificed.
- N.00 + N.00 cuts the film in half, producing two ⁓31mm strips for the Univex No.00 format
- 24 + 24 will give you 2 clean film strips 24mm wide. It’s the width of the APS film, but the strip needs further perforating and shaping to fit into APS cassettes.
SOME USEFUL INFORMATION:
FILM IS COOL: If you store films in the refrigerator, allow them to reach room temperature before cutting. Cold films are more brittle and prone to cracking or snapping. This is especially true for cutters with two or more blades.
BACKING PAPER: All the spliced film will have backing paper, a feature that was there in many formats, from 126 (Instamatic cassettes) to 110, Minolta 16, and 828 film, all had backing paper and was rolled around a spool or fitted in a cassette, or sold in rolles to be manually loaded in cartridges.
COMPATIBILTY: The box, knob, crank, and clips are identical for any configuration of the of cutter.
RESPOOLING: Only the 127 cutter version has a film respooler: cutters for 16mm, 35mm, and N.00 film require the film to be manually respooled onto the original spools. (It’s possible that the resulting film has be cut to a shorter lenght, depending on the camera characteristics).
KEEP YOUR STRIPS TOGETHER: It is advisable to have as many clips as the number of film strip resulting after the cut. Keep them tightly rolled all the time!
ask me anything
I’ll be happy to read your comments and suggestions. If you need further details, feel free to ask!
