Submitted by Al …
127 film is a paper-backed roll film format designed for still photography. At 46mm wide, this format was smaller than 120 film, and was originally designed to take eight pictures in 4×6.5cm format. It was created by Kodak in 1912 for their Vest Pocket model – which is why 127 film was sometimes called Vest Pocket film. Many of the first generations of 127 film cameras were similar folders, and frequently inherited Vest Pocket or VP in their names – for example, the Vest Pocket Dolly. Some early Kodak cameras made in 1913 and later, included Kodak’s patented Autographic feature, providing the photographer with a way to write notations on the back of the film while shooting. Autographic film and cameras were labelled A127. Because enlargements were uncommon during the early usage of 127 film, it was generally contact printed, resulting in 4 x 6.5cm prints.
During the Great Depression in 1930, camera makers tried to economize on the use of film, and cameras began to appear taking 16 exposures in 4x3cm format on the 127 film, the first one being the Zeiss Ikon Kolibri. These cameras often used dual red windows, where a particular frame number on the film backing paper was advanced to appear first in one, then the other window. There are three frame sizes commonly used with 127 film: 4×3cm, 4×4cm, and 4×6.5cm. Frame numbers for the different sizes are printed in different heights on the paper backing so that only the relevant set of numbers are visible through the red window on the back of the camera. Using the square 4x4cm format, there are 12 exposures per roll; 4×3 gives 16 exposures and 4×6 gives 8 exposures
In the 1950s there was a short revival of 127 film with cameras designed to take 12 exposures in 4x4cm format. Several firms produced high-quality cameras, primarily twin-lens reflexes, in this format. Kodak made such a range of very basic cameras. Rollei made a more advanced Rolleiflex Baby camera until the beginning of the 1960s.
Slides shot on 127 slide film were often preferred over 35 mm size. 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 were popularly called "Superslides", a name once reserved for 40 × 40 mm slides cut down from 120 film.The format was part of the ISO 732 standard until it was dropped in the 1991 edition of that standard.
127 film continued in wide use until the introduction of the 126 cartridge cameras in the 1960s.
Kodak stopped producing 127 film in July 1995, with all but one manufacturer following suit shortly thereafter. In September 2006, Bluefire Laboratories of Calgary began packaging 127 colour 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 introduced Rollei Retro 80S film, available in 127 format. Fotokemika in Croatia, continued to make 127 film, which it sold under its own Efke brand, as well as custom-packaged for other sellers, until 2012.
127 film survives as a niche format and is still in production today. For example, ReraPan 400 is a black and white film manufactured in Japan by EZOX Corporation, currently available at several retailers priced at about $25 per 8-exposure roll.
Comments