120 to 126 Film Adapter Kit
With FAK126 adapters mounted on the 120 spool, your camera will work exactly as it would with original 126 films.
126 roll film was introduced in 1906 but it received the 126 designation only after 1913. Until then it was known as “Number 4A Folding Kodak film”. This format was discontinued in March 1949.
This format has not to be mistaken with the newer 126 film (the very popular cartridges with 35mm film used in Instamatic cameras). In fact, the old 126 film was huge, probably the biggest medium format film ever made: the image size was 4¼×6½ inches (10,8×16,5 cm).
Kodak only produced 3 cameras for this film, spanning from 1906 to 1915, so good luck finding a working unit!
KIT COMPONENTS
The KIT comes with four adapters, two for each spool in the camera.
The kit also includes 4 white round extenders that are needed if you nedd a better alignment of the film advance mechanism with the spool’s hole. To couple the exagonal adapters with its round extensions, press them through the hole until they are perfectly aligned on the flat end (i.e. where there’s the metal part).
The one adapter with a different hole is the “Key Adapter”: it features a 1mm laser-cut stainless steel flange that reproduces the same hole that’s in the original 116 spool. This adapter will engage with the camera’s film advance crank.
MOUNTING
- 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.
FRAME NUMBERING (NO RED WINDOW)
The Kodak 4A cameras are very large and the red window use for frame numbering falls outside of the 120 film width, so don’t even try to use it for inspecting the film advancement. Instead, you have to tape it or mask it to avoid light entering in the film chamber.
You’ll need some tests to figure how many turns you need on the film advance crank to get to the first frame, and how many you’ll need for each of the next ones. A used 120film backing paper is perfect for some trial measurements. I guess you can take 4 photos on a 120 film roll. The result will be a big panoramic exposure 2½×6½ inches (6×16,5cm), almost 1:3 in propotions!!!
When you’ve finished shooting, 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 126 & COMPATIBLE CAMERAS
Load normal 120 film in ANY (very few) Kodak camera made for the 126 film:
— No. 4A Folding KODAK Camera (wood front) (1906 – 1907)
— No. 4A Folding KODAK Camera, Model B (Improved metal front) (1908 – 1915)
— No. 4A Speed KODAK Camera (1908 – 1913)
Other makers’ cameras that accept 126 film, if they ever existed, will also work.
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.
