120 TO 616 FILM ADAPTER KIT
FAK616 is the Film Adapter Kit that let you load normal medium format 120 film in cameras made for the 616 film spools (cameras like old Kodak SIX-16 or Brownie). The 616 film went out of production in 1985 and are extremely difficult to find, and if found are expensive and and obviously expired! No original 616 spool is needed for this system: you don’t have to respool the film from one spindle to another.
With the 120 film in a 616 film camera you’ll get 6 panoramic-format photographs with a size of about 11x6cm (4¼ x 2½ inches).
This adapter features a stainless steel flange that perfectly reproduce the same hole that’s in the original 616 spool flange. They are laser-cut out of a 1mm thick stainless steel plate.
The plastic parts are printed with a very solid PLA organic polymer, which is even stronger than the 120 spool material itself!
Kodak box Brownies, Kodak Brownie Special Six-16, Kodak SIX-16Model C, Kodak Jiffy Six-16, and also some Agfa and Ansco boxes and folders, or even the Seneca 2A Box Scout. Every 616 camera can be converted: please read the list of compatible cameras at the bottom of this page.
The KIT come with four adapters. The one with a different hole is the “Key Adapter”.
- Load the the empty spool (take-up spool) with two adapters mounted at both ends, making sure that the Key Adaper corresponds to the camera’s film advance knob.
- Mount the other two adapters on the unexposed film and put it in the camera.
- Insert the paper leader into the take-up spool and roll up a little until it’s well inserted.
That’s it!
FILM WINDING & FRAME NUMBERING
- Use the small red window in the back of the camera for frame numbering: take first picture at n.3.
- Take the pictures with the frame counter at: 3, 5½, 8, 10½, 13, 15½.
If the red window is not available, use the following instructions.
- With the camera open, start winding the film until you see the big vertical arrow, then close your camera.
- Turn the film advance knob 8 times (16 half turns) so that the film reaches the correct placing for the first photo.
- After the first photo is taken, advance the film by 2,5 knob’s turns (or 5 half turns), and do this for photo 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
- Then wind the film until the end: the empty spool becomes the take-up spool. Put the key adapter on it and go shoot again!
A little trial and error is to be expected.
FILM ADAPTER KIT 616 & COMPATIBLE CAMERAS
Load normal 120 film in ANY Kodak camera made for the 616 film:
KODAK Six-16 Camera (1932 – 1936)
JIFFY KODAK Six-16 Camera (1933 – 1937)
Six-16 BROWNIE Camera (1933 – 1941)
Six-16 BROWNIE Junior Camera (1934 – 1942)
KODAK Junior Six-16 Camera (1935 – 1937)
KODAK SENIOR Six-16 Camera (1937 – 1939)
KODAK Special Six-16 Camera (1937 – 1939)
KODAK Junior Six-16 Series II Camera (1937 – 1940)
JIFFY KODAK Six-16 Series II Camera (1937 – 1942)
KODAK Junior Six-16 Series III Camera (1938 – 1939)
Six-16 BROWNIE Special Camera (1938 – 1942)
KODAK VIGILANT Six-16 Camera (1939 – 1942)
KODAK MONITOR Six-16 Camera (1939 – 1948)
KODAK VIGILANT Junior Six-16 Camera (1940 – 1948)
Target BROWNIE Six-16 Camera (1941 – 1946)
BROWNIE Target Six-16 Camera (1946 – 1951)
In general, all cameras (not only Kodak) made for the 616 film format will work with 120 film + FAK616!
OPERATING CONDITIONS
If your camera has not been used for a long time, check that there is no rust, or dry grease, or dust, or dirt… The feed mechanism in cameras that were left unused for a long time could be very tight and cause a strong tension on the spools during the film advancement. Make sure that the mechanisms are properly lubricated before putting the camera back to work!
SHIPMENT methods and times
You can select the preferred shipping method at the checkout page: Registered Mail with tracking, or Priority Mail without tracking. Usually the kits are shipped within a few days, but sometimes it takes a little longer: all kits are produced in small batches, assembled and tested one by one. Check the FAQ page for details.