{"title":"Vintage 120 mm Film Cameras","description":"\u003ch1 class=\"frg-ins1\"\u003eHistory of 120 mm Film Cameras\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp data-bm=\"54\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e120 mm film — more accurately called \u003cstrong\u003e120 roll film\u003c\/strong\u003e — was introduced by Eastman Kodak in \u003cstrong\u003e1901\u003c\/strong\u003e for its Brownie No. 2 box camera.  The “120” name did not refer to its size but to the camera model number; the film itself is about \u003cstrong\u003e61 mm wide\u003c\/strong\u003e and roughly \u003cstrong\u003e820 mm long\u003c\/strong\u003e, wound on a spool with a protective backing paper. It was originally designed for \u003cstrong class=\"frg-ins2\"\u003eamateur photography\u003c\/strong\u003e, offering a smaller, more portable alternative to large sheet film, and was widely used in simple box and folding cameras.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the early 20th century, 120 film made photography accessible to the masses. Cameras were often shipped back for processing, with the film loaded into a take‑up spool after exposure. Common formats included \u003cstrong class=\"frg-ins3\"\u003e6×4.5 cm, 6×6 cm, and 6×9 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, with frame numbers printed on the backing paper for manual counting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy the \u003cstrong\u003e1950s\u003c\/strong\u003e, 35 mm film’s smaller size and convenience began to eclipse 120 in consumer markets, but 120 remained popular in \u003cstrong\u003eprofessional and artistic photography\u003c\/strong\u003e. It became the standard for medium‑format cameras such as the \u003cstrong\u003eRolleiflex\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eHasselblad\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the cult \u003cstrong class=\"frg-ins4\"\u003eHolga\u003c\/strong\u003e. The format’s larger negative size produced finer detail than 35 mm, appealing to photographers seeking higher quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTechnically, 120 film has no sprocket holes, and the backing paper allowed daylight loading . Over time, spools evolved from wood with metal flanges to all‑metal, then plastic. The format also inspired variants like \u003cstrong\u003e220 film\u003c\/strong\u003e (double length) and \u003cstrong class=\"frg-ins5\"\u003e620 film\u003c\/strong\u003e (thinner spools).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-bm=\"59\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, 120 film is still in production and enjoys a \u003cstrong class=\"frg-ins6\"\u003erevival among enthusiasts\u003c\/strong\u003e for its image quality and tactile shooting experience. While largely replaced in mass‑market use, 120‑film cameras remain iconic in photography history, symbolising the transition from large‑format to medium‑format photography and the enduring appeal of analogue imaging.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"coronet-flashmaster-camera","title":"Coronet Flashmaster 120mm Camera — Vintage 1950s","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Coronet Flashmaster is a mid-century British box camera produced circa 1954 by Coronet Camera Company, Birmingham. With its distinctive angular body and top-mounted optical viewfinder, it takes 6×6cm photos on 120 film — a capable and characterful camera that represents the best of affordable British camera design from the 1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCosmetic:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good condition. Some minor surface marks, hardly noticeable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shutter fires and film advance works correctly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOptics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clear and in fine condition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not film tested.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coronet Camera Company, Birmingham, England — one of Britain's most prolific camera manufacturers, known for producing affordable, well-designed cameras for the mass market.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flashmaster — named for its compatibility with flash attachments, a modern feature for its era.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Circa 1954.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e 120 roll film, producing 6×6cm square negatives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Curio Optics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":65181475340637,"sku":"0010","price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/files\/Photoroom_20260707_093819.jpg?v=1783413705"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1088\/1335\/3309\/collections\/Photoroom_20260707_093819.jpg?v=1783704247","url":"https:\/\/curiooptics.com\/en-eu\/collections\/vintage-120-mm-film-cameras.oembed","provider":"Curio Optics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}