127 film
Encyclopedia
127 is a film format
for still photography
. The image format is usually a square 4×4 cm, but rectangular 4×3 cm and 4×6 cm are also standard. Oddly, C. F. Foth & Co. used 36×24 mm (the same size as is standard for 135
) for its first “Derby” model.
, 46 mm wide. Frame number markings for the 4×4 and 4×6 image formats are printed on the backing paper, while 4×3 cameras typically have two frame counter windows, exposing the left and right halves of the 4×6 frame.
Using the square format, there are 12 exposures per roll; 4×3 and 4×6 give 16 and 8, respectively.
There are alternative uses. For its “Alfax” model (circa 1940), Kimura Kōgaku had 4×4.5 cm frames, spaced by markings on the wind knob.
, as a compact alternative to larger portable cameras using 120
. The folding “127s” were in fact smaller than most 35 mm cameras today. The 127 format made a comeback during the 1950s as the format of choice for small inexpensive cameras such as the Brownie and Satellite, and continued in wide use until surpassed by the 126 film
and 110 film
“Instamatic” cartridges (introduced in 1963 and 1972 respectively), and especially by 35 mm. 127 cameras from that era were often characterized by simple box-like construction. Slides shot on 127 slide film were often preferred over 35 mm for example for sets of slides sold at tourist gift shops, because of the larger photo area and completely square dimensions of a 127 slide. The format was part of the ISO 732
standard until it was dropped in the third (1991) edition of that standard.
feature, and Kodak’s 127 films which had Autographic backing were identified as A127. Other film manufacturers did not produce Autographic films, for which Kodak held a patent. Other camera manufacturers did make Vest Pocket-format cameras, however, and 127 film at the time was often labeled “Vest Pocket Film”.
cameras like the Brownie
, with the Exakta
SLR
, the “Baby” Rollei
flex, the Yashica
44 TLR
, the Komaflex-S SLR
and the Primo jr as possible exceptions. Few photofinishers made enlargements at the time the film was introduced, and most 127 negatives were contact printed. The later, more expensive 127 cameras featured lenses that were good enough to permit enlargement.
127 color transparencies can be mounted in standard 2” square slide mounts, and projected in an ordinary 35 mm projector. Because of their much greater area, the projected image is larger and more brilliant than a 35 mm slide, and they are popularly called “Superslides”, a name once reserved for 4x4 cm slides cut down from 120 film.
, continues to make 127 film, which it sells under its own Efke brand, as well as custom-packaging for other sellers. Macophoto UP100 and Jessops 200 are made and packaged by Fotokemika. So is the Chromazone 127 film sold intermittently on eBay. In September 2006, Bluefire Laboratories of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, began packaging 127 color print film, cutting Kodak or Agfa film to size from bulk rolls, and assembling the rolls of film from their own components.
In July 2009, Rollei (Maco Photo, Hans O. Mahn GmbH) introduced Rollei Retro 80S film, available in 127 format.
Film format
A film format is a technical definition of a set of standard characteristics regarding image capture on photographic film, for either stills or movies. It can also apply to projected film, either slides or movies. The primary characteristic of a film format is its size and shape.In the case of...
for still photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
. The image format is usually a square 4×4 cm, but rectangular 4×3 cm and 4×6 cm are also standard. Oddly, C. F. Foth & Co. used 36×24 mm (the same size as is standard for 135
135 film
The term 135 was introduced by Kodak in 1934 as a designation for cartridge film wide, specifically for still photography. It quickly grew in popularity, surpassing 120 film by the late 1960s to become the most popular photographic film format...
) for its first “Derby” model.
Technical details
127 is a roll filmRoll film
Rollfilm or roll film is any type of spool-wound photographic film protected from white light exposure by a paper backing, as opposed to film which is protected from exposure and wound forward in a cartridge. Confusingly, roll film was originally often referred to as "cartridge" film because of its...
, 46 mm wide. Frame number markings for the 4×4 and 4×6 image formats are printed on the backing paper, while 4×3 cameras typically have two frame counter windows, exposing the left and right halves of the 4×6 frame.
Using the square format, there are 12 exposures per roll; 4×3 and 4×6 give 16 and 8, respectively.
There are alternative uses. For its “Alfax” model (circa 1940), Kimura Kōgaku had 4×4.5 cm frames, spaced by markings on the wind knob.
History
The format was introduced by Kodak in 1912, along with the “Vest Pocket Kodak” folding cameraFolding camera
A folding camera is a camera that can be folded to a compact and rugged package when not in use. The camera objective is sometimes attached to a pantograph-like mechanism, in which the lid usually is a component. The objective extends to give correct focus when unfolded. A cloth or leather bellows...
, as a compact alternative to larger portable cameras using 120
120 film
120 is a film format for still photography introduced by Kodak for their Brownie No. 2 in 1901. It was originally intended for amateur photography but was later superseded in this role by 135 film...
. The folding “127s” were in fact smaller than most 35 mm cameras today. The 127 format made a comeback during the 1950s as the format of choice for small inexpensive cameras such as the Brownie and Satellite, and continued in wide use until surpassed by the 126 film
126 film
126 is the number given to a cartridge-based film format used in still photography. It was introduced by Kodak in 1963, and is associated mainly with low-end point-and-shoot cameras, particularly Kodak's own Instamatic series of cameras....
and 110 film
110 film
110 is a cartridge-based film format used in still photography. It was introduced by Kodak in 1972. 110 is a miniaturised version of Kodak's earlier 126 film format. Each frame is , with one registration hole....
“Instamatic” cartridges (introduced in 1963 and 1972 respectively), and especially by 35 mm. 127 cameras from that era were often characterized by simple box-like construction. Slides shot on 127 slide film were often preferred over 35 mm for example for sets of slides sold at tourist gift shops, because of the larger photo area and completely square dimensions of a 127 slide. The format was part of the ISO 732
ISO 732
ISO 732 is an ISO standard for medium format photographic film. The second edition of the standard specified the dimensions for 127, 120 and 620 roll film, backing paper and film spools. The third edition dropped specifications for the 127 and 620 roll films, which had become largely obsolete...
standard until it was dropped in the third (1991) edition of that standard.
Variations
Not all 127 films were labeled as such. After 1913, many Kodak cameras included the AutographicAutographic
The autographic system for roll film was launched by Kodak in 1914, and allowed the photographer to add written information on the film at the time of exposure....
feature, and Kodak’s 127 films which had Autographic backing were identified as A127. Other film manufacturers did not produce Autographic films, for which Kodak held a patent. Other camera manufacturers did make Vest Pocket-format cameras, however, and 127 film at the time was often labeled “Vest Pocket Film”.
Uses
The format was mainly used for amateurAmateur
An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
cameras like the Brownie
Brownie (camera)
Brownie is the name of a long-running and extremely popular series of simple and inexpensive cameras made by Eastman Kodak. The Brownie popularized low-cost photography and introduced the concept of the snapshot. The first Brownie, introduced in February, 1900, was a very basic cardboard box camera...
, with the Exakta
Exakta
The Exakta is a pioneer brand camera produced by the Ihagee Kamerawerk in Dresden, Germany, founded as the Industrie und Handels-Gesellschaft mbH, in 1912.- Characteristics :Highlights of Exakta cameras include:...
SLR
Single-lens reflex camera
A single-lens reflex camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly...
, the “Baby” Rollei
Rollei
Rollei is a German manufacturer of optical goods founded in 1920 by Paul Franke and Reinhold Heidecke in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, and maker of the Rolleiflex and Rolleicord series of cameras...
flex, the Yashica
Yashica
Yashica was a Japanese manufacturer of cameras.-History:The company began in December, 1949 in Nagano, Japan, when the Yashima Seiki Company was founded with an initial investment of $566. Its eight employees originally manufactured components for electric clocks...
44 TLR
Twin-lens reflex camera
A twin-lens reflex camera is a type of camera with two objective lenses of the same focal length. One of the lenses is the photographic objective or "taking lens" , while the other is used for the viewfinder system, which is usually viewed from above at waist level...
, the Komaflex-S SLR
Single-lens reflex camera
A single-lens reflex camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly...
and the Primo jr as possible exceptions. Few photofinishers made enlargements at the time the film was introduced, and most 127 negatives were contact printed. The later, more expensive 127 cameras featured lenses that were good enough to permit enlargement.
127 color transparencies can be mounted in standard 2” square slide mounts, and projected in an ordinary 35 mm projector. Because of their much greater area, the projected image is larger and more brilliant than a 35 mm slide, and they are popularly called “Superslides”, a name once reserved for 4x4 cm slides cut down from 120 film.
Production
Kodak stopped producing 127 film in July, 1995, with all but one manufacturer following suit shortly thereafter. Fotokemika of Samobor, CroatiaCroatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, continues to make 127 film, which it sells under its own Efke brand, as well as custom-packaging for other sellers. Macophoto UP100 and Jessops 200 are made and packaged by Fotokemika. So is the Chromazone 127 film sold intermittently on eBay. In September 2006, Bluefire Laboratories of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, began packaging 127 color print film, cutting Kodak or Agfa film to size from bulk rolls, and assembling the rolls of film from their own components.
In July 2009, Rollei (Maco Photo, Hans O. Mahn GmbH) introduced Rollei Retro 80S film, available in 127 format.