Nearly Dead and Almost Forgotten – 127 Film Today

Nearly Dead and Almost Forgotten – 127 Film Today

2800 1575 Jeb Inge

July 12 isn’t historically notable, though a few things of note have happened on that day. The Rolling Stones had their first performance in 1962 and “Family Feud” debuted on ABC in 1976. Pablo Neruda and Henry David Thoreau share it as a birthday, along with Kodak founder George Eastman, who was born in 1854 in Waterford, New York. Coincidentally, July 12 is also World 127 Film Day, which celebrates the nearly dead and almost forgotten film format that Eastman’s company created.

George Eastman’s first big contribution to photography was his invention of roll film. While experimenting in his home he created the first practical film in roll form, eventually patenting it in 1884 and releasing the first roll film camera, the Kodak Black, in 1888. The creation of roll film was the first step in photography’s journey toward democratization that continues today. Throughout most of the 19th century photography was the realm of a select few who had access to field cameras and the technical knowledge needed to successfully expose and process images. Roll film and the Kodak Black made photography more accessible to the average person and quickly made Eastman Kodak the world’s foremost supplier of film.

A Brief History of 127 Film

Unsatisfied with simply riding the success of their initial roll film, Kodak continued to search for ways to put their products into the hands of more potential photographers. In 1912, Kodak was about to release its newest and most consumer-friendly camera yet — the Vest Pocket Kodak (browse for Vest Pocket Kodaks via our eBay affiliate link here). As the name suggests, it was a folding camera capable of fitting in the vest pocket of the user. For a camera of such proportion to work, the company developed a new film format: 127 roll film.

Initially nicknamed vest pocket film after the camera it accompanied, the paperbacked film was 4.6 centimeters wide, placing it between medium format and 35mm film in terms of potential image area.

Early 127 cameras took eight exposures in the 4×6.5 format. Shooters would have the film developed and would typically receive paper contact prints, since enlargements were exceedingly rare in the early 20th century. A few years after its debut, Kodak released 127 film with its Autographic feature, which allowed the photographer to write on the back of the film while it was being used. 

The film was wildly successful on its release because of its affordability and the fact that the cameras using it — typically folding cameras — were so portable. When sales of practically everything were threatened by the Great Depression, manufacturers began offering cameras that squeezed sixteen 3×4 exposures onto a roll, giving consumers twice the bang for their valuable buck.

Despite its early success, the popularity of 127 film was quickly giving way to the more cost-efficient 35mm format. That format’s smaller size and greater number of exposures led to its widespread use by photographers during World War II. Despite lagging sales, 127 film continued to sell, and even experienced a revival of sorts in the 1950s with the release of many cameras that used it to produce 4×4 exposures. Cameras like the Imperial Satellite and Kodak Brownie were huge sellers, as they were both cheap and easy to use. The format remained popular in tourist destinations where vacationers preferred the larger 2” square transparencies 127 offered. Known as “superslides,” the projections were much more vivid and offered greater depth than 35mm film.

Despite this brief resurgence in popularity, the increasing automation in 35mm cameras continued to hurt sales of 127 film, and the introduction of 126 film in 1963 and 110 film in 1972, both of which used cartridges to take even more difficulty out of the process, all but crushed 127 as the choice for tourists and point-and-shooters.

It wasn’t until 1995 that Kodak ceased production of 127 film. But even in 2019, much like the film community itself, 127 refuses to disappear completely. Photographers wanting to try this now unusual format today still have the opportunity to do so with a number of interesting cameras.

The biggest obstacle to shooting 127 film today is finding some. A few 127 emulsions are still kicking around if you can find them in stock. For black-and-white shooters there’s Rollei Rera Pan 400, the Ilford HP5-inspired PAN 400 and the Rera Pan 100. For color, there’s the Rollei Crossbird, a “creative” 200 ISO-speed film that has to be cross-processed in C-41 chemicals and the Rera Chrome 100 slide film. Each roll costs between $10-15 and while there’s not a lot of choice, it’s still fresh film when you can find it in stock. A somewhat cheaper alternative is a number of expired 127 film available online, including Agfa Isopan, EFKE R100 Ilford FP4+ and more. There are also a number of mom-and-pops cutting down 120 film and spooling this onto 127 film spools, which are smaller. And it should finally be mentioned that developing 127 film is no more challenging or expensive than developing 120 film, and can be done at home with standard Patterson tanks and reels (which easily adjust for the size difference across 35mm, 120, and 127). 

127 Cameras for the Beginner and Pro

To shoot the film, you’ll need a camera. For the latter part of its existence, 127 film was geared toward those who didn’t want to fuss about with controls and settings, leading to most 127 cameras being as basic as the era allowed. This means they are often available in flea markets and junk shops for very little money.

Take for instance, the aforementioned Kodak Brownie and Imperial Satellite. Kodak produced millions of Brownie 127s in three variations in their UK factory from 1952 to 1967, often badging the exports to the United States as Brownie Starlet. Initially made from Bakelite (the first synthetic plastic), they had rotary shutters with speeds of 1/50th of a second or 1/40th of a second, and plastic Meniscus and Dakon lenses with focal ranges of 51mm and 64mm (both at fixed apertures of f/14). Taking a picture was easy: Just wind the film with a knob and push the shutter release. The camera only had one aperture and shutter speed, so just cross your fingers when you push the button.

Imperial was a camera brand made by the Herbert George Company of Chicago, who in 1961 became the Imperial Camera Company. They made a number of backlight and plastic cameras, including the first series of colorful cameras. These included models with outstanding names, such as the Debonair, Official Cub Scout, Official Girl Scout, Princess and the Mercury Satellite. Nearly all of these operate in the same method as the Brownie/Starlet, with plastic lenses and fixed shutter speeds and apertures. While they are available online for less than the price of a case of beer, it’s both cheaper and easier to just go to your local junk shop where they are frequently available in abundance. Be sure that the camera you are buying shoots the format film you want, however. Imperial’s 127 cameras have 127 in the name: the Imperial 127 Reflex, The Mercury Satellite 127 and the Imperial Satellite 127. Others shoot either 620 film or 120 film.

But to say that all 127 cameras are basic or consumer oriented cameras isn’t exactly true. The 127 format also birthed some truly impressive cameras from the likes of Rollei, Zeiss, and other legendary brands, which would feel just right in the hands of a seasoned professional photographer.

Shooters wanting a more premium experience will find it with the TLR Rolleiflex 4×4, also adorably called the Baby Rolleiflex and Baby Grey. Released in 1957, with a Schneider Xenar 60mm f/3.5 taking lens and Heidosmat 60mm f/2.8 taking lens, it produces twelve 4×4 cm images per roll. It is one of the finest 127 cameras ever made with a price tag that confirms its reputation. Today a Baby Rolleiflex in great condition can run between $400-500, a steep price to pay considering the meager film options available with which to use it.

Introduced around the same time as the Baby Grey, the Yashica-44 is another popular high-quality TLR 127 camera. It has a three-element Yashicor 60mm f/3.5 taking lens with a Copal shutter capable of speeds from 1 second to 1/500 second and bulb mode. Interestingly, the first 44 model initially sold for the same amount as Yashica’s medium format 6×6 TLR. Later, a more basic version, the 44A was developed with a more limited shutter and fewer creature comforts like a bayonet filter. A more elaborate model, the 44LM was also released, which came with a selenium-cell light meter and more modern design. The regular Yashica 44 typically sells for $100, with the 44A and 44LM models both varying greatly in price between $100-500.

Many other 127 cameras options abound, including the Kowa Komaflex-S, the Foth Derby, Ricoh Super 44. That’s without even getting into the seemingly endless number of folding cameras from the early part of the late century. The notable among them include the Zeiss Ikon Kolibri, Zeh Goldi and, of course, the Kodak Vest Pocket. These are typically available for much lower prices than the TLR cameras mentioned earlier. But they also come with the additional rigors and delicacy brought on by their age. It’s entirely possible that they will still produce many interesting images for many years. But they could equally end up nothing more than an artifact for your mantle or bookshelf. Which in and of itself isn’t entirely a bad thing either.

Is 127 worth the trouble today?

After all is said and done, you might be left with a nagging voice in your head asking, “Is shooting 127 film really worth the trouble?” Truth be told, it’s hard to answer in the affirmative. The film community is strong in its support of different stocks and formats — take the current attempt at reviving pack film for example. But when we defend the existence of a film (like Kodak Ektachrome, Fuji Acros, etc.) there’s typically something unique or advantageous that comes with it. It’s hard to find something unique about 127 film, or an advantage that it gives shooters over other formats. 35mm is both more portable and economic, while 120 offers a bigger negative at a cheaper cost. 127 film was in use before both of those, but lacks any clear advantage over either, unless you’re especially attached to a particular 127 camera.

With the rarity and cost of the few 127 film stocks remaining and the typically high cost of a quality camera to shoot it with, there’s no question that shooting 127 in 2019 is a labor of love and money. If it’s worth it in any way, it must be in a historical context. As the first format that really brought photography into the household, it’s a valuable experience to shoot 127 film with a Vest Pocket camera. But if you’re interested in doing so, might we recommend doing it sooner rather than later. There’s no telling how many more World 127 Film Days we’ll be able to celebrate.

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Jeb Inge

Jeb Inge is a Berlin-based photographer and writer. He has previously worked in journalism, public history and public relations.

All stories by:Jeb Inge
21 comments
  • leicalibrararian August 26, 2019 at 3:24 am

    For colour negative film there is also Bluefire Murano a Japanese made 160 ISO 127 film https://bluefire.photography/BluefireMurano.htm . They have an outlet in Canada and both Maco Direct in Germany and MS Hobbies in the UK occasionally have stock. It is a standard C41 process film. I suspect it is slit and rolled from bulk budget Fuji colour negative film stock, as it has the typical Fuji blue/green colour bias and I feel, really would benefit from use of an 85A warming filter but I have not been able to find an 85A in Bay 1 for my Rollei Baby. It is no Kodak Ektra or Portra but I think it is better that the somewhat weird and unpredictable Rollei Crossbird if you want colour from your 127 camera. If all us 127 users contacted Kodak, given their historical link to the film, there is a tiny chance that we might see Ektachrome E100 in 127 – wouldn’t that be something!

    Wilson

    • Interesting, Wilson. And good to know about that other film from Japan. I think it would take a pretty good sized army to get Kodak to bring E100 to 127! I think if they take it to one of the lesser known formats they’d do 620, since they still make some Portra on those reels. But nothing’s impossible I guess!

      • Jeb, nice look at some 127 film cameras. For added information, there is a crank wind TLR made by Topcon. It is the Primo Jr. which was available from 1958 to 1960, and in un-metered and metered versions. It was also sold as the Sears Mark IV.

        It resembles a Rollei Automat or YashicaMat, but minus the shutter/aperture setting wheels. It has f2.8 lenses for viewing and taking, the latter being a four element 60mm Topcor. It is said to have a brighter screen than the Rollei Baby. I have a Primo Jr. but not the Rollei so I can’t comment on this.

        Rolling 127 spools from 120 film gives a wide range of emulsions to choose from, but for those not wishing to pay the high prices often asked for this service it is possible to do it oneself. It is a bit tricky, but it can be done. To make things easier, Claudio Bettio, Italy, makes a very useful cutting kit that enables a photographer to cut and spool the film in daylight. The process also very usefully provides a 16mm spool for 16mm sub-miniature cameras that can use 16mm unperforated film. Claudio produces the kits in very limited numbers, but information about his services can be found here.

        https://www.camerhack.it/product-category/adapters/

        • Cheyenne Morrison March 19, 2020 at 9:33 am

          After much hunting I managed to find a mint condition working Sawyer’s Mark IV which is on my instagram https://www.instagram.com/bigshotphotos/

          • Cheyenne, great little camera, isn’t it? Hope you think it was worth the wait. Handling it still feels a little bit odd as I see what looks like a Rollei in my hands but it isn’t. Great fun.

        • The Sawyer, Primo, Sears and of course Topcon are all the same cameras rebranded for their respective retailers. All are available from time to time on Ebay and all appear to have better specs than the “Baby Rollei” and are generally less expensive to buy. The greatest use for any 127 camera is as a rare “shelf queen”. Given the price and scarcity of 127 film and the small format, the full size 120 TLRs’ are a better buy, IMO.

          • If you look, you can find a 6×4 negative camera that will fit in your shirt pocket. That’s quality built.

  • I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for 127 as it was the first film I ever shot: Kodacolor II in a Kodak Brownie Starmite II. I still have the negatives, from 1976. I scanned them several years ago: https://blog.jimgrey.net/2012/08/06/my-first-roll-of-film/

  • I’m here to publicly comment that I think the Vest Pocket Kodak (specifically the model from the 1910s and 20s) is one of the most elegant and beautiful cameras ever designed.

  • ‘July 12 isn’t historically notable…’
    Well, that depends where you live. Even for those of us that aren’t on the island of Ireland, there’s an event that casts a 300-year-long shadow – partially lifted 21 years ago and now in danger of darkening all over again. (Remember to meter it in Zone 3.)
    https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/people-march-northern-ireland-12th-16428294

    I love the look of that Brownie Auto 27. Just the thing to take on a picnic in your Hillman Imp.

  • You can also find the occasional bulk roll of 46mm film and give a try at spooling your own – reusing existing spools and backing paper. It takes a little bit of effort, but like you say, it’s a labor or love. But so is using my Yashica 44!

  • I own a Baby Grey and can tell, why I do this labor of love: it’s simply handier than my Rolleiflex Automat. Sometimes size matters. And yet, 4×4 is still bigger than 35mm.
    I cut down my 120 film with a cigar cutter in the beginning, now have another handy 3D-printed tool for easily cutting it down. It’s still much cheaper than the (overpriced) new 127 rolls.

    • I have to say that the cigar cutter is the coolest and best way I’ve ever heard for that sort of thing. That’s awesome.

  • Also among the baby TLRs is the Tokyo Optical (Topcon) Primo Jr. Just won a pristine one for a great price and it is extremely well-made. Can’t wait it try it and its f2.8 lens out. Also got a Pontiac Lynx I so I’m jumping in with both feet to the world of 127.

  • Peter, I have one, too. Lovely little camera, just like a real miniature Rollei flex. Enjoy.

  • In October 1958, using money earned mowing lawns that summer, I went to my local Sears, Roebuck and bought my first good camera, a Sawyer’s Mk IV for $89.95 with case. It’s Topcor f/2.8 60mm lens was amazingly sharp, and great 8x10s were available from ASA 125 Verichrome Pan. I used it very heavily through college, until about 1966, and I still have it plus the Sawyer’s-brand lens shade and flash. The camera’s main advantage is that it is light and compact plus rugged and reliable. The shutter is almost silent, too.

  • Cheyenne Morrison March 28, 2020 at 8:04 pm

    Like many around the World I am spending a lot of time stuck at home, so I thought I would do something productive. I noticed there was no dedicated Facebook Group for those shooting 127 film, so I created one.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/837574280062480/

    Before creating the group I consulted with J.M. Golding who has done such a wonderful job with the annual 127 Film Day and she gave me approval to set up a Facebook group. If you love 127 film I urge you to follow her blog … http://127film.blogspot.com/

    Please note that members are welcome to discuss and offer for sale 127 cameras as well as buy and sell 127 film.

  • Andrew Caruthers May 21, 2020 at 6:07 pm

    Have one. Dad go tit for 10 bucks in 1957 at Lane’s jewelry Store in Pasadena. Still works, takes great slides.
    Go, 127!

  • Just a correction here about who invented roll film. Kodak stole the idea from the Ansco company. Kodak was sued by Ansco for patent infringement and lost big. They had to pay a pretty large settlement to Ansco. The last name of Ansco BTW was GAF. While never near as large as Kodak, their products were pretty good. At the end of their run, they were marketing Agfa film and cameras under their name. Loved using their (Agfa) 400 slide film in the 70s.

  • I don’t shoot 127-roll film to shoot this particular type of film; I shoot it to be able to use my beloved vintage cameras. Keeping them alive is worth the trouble and expense. Plus the results are often surprisingly pleasant.

  • Don’t forget the quirky yet wonderful Purma cameras that take 127 film. Fixed focus and fixed aperture, they have three shutter speeds and take 16 square photos on 127 film. And often cost less than £30 on ebay.

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Jeb Inge

Jeb Inge is a Berlin-based photographer and writer. He has previously worked in journalism, public history and public relations.

All stories by:Jeb Inge