Converted Grandpa's Agfa 616 to 120 pano

[rgeorge911]

Grandpa recently gave me his Agfa Viking 616, which I converted to 120 film, and panoramic format.  First roll run through it today.  Only one showable shot, but I'm happy:


Untitled-1-2.jpg by reed_flickr, on Flickr
Kodak TMY-2 iso400 film, developed in Tmax, 6 mins.

Reed

[radiophoto]

Reed, can you show us pics of the conversions?  How many 120 frames are you using for a pano shot?  Did you cut a panoramic mask for the film plane?  I'm all a-flutter with curiosity!

[rgeorge911]

Pete,

I basically followed the guidelines from this document:
http://kodak.3106.net/download/616panoramicconversion-RevBE.pdf

Instead of using a modified 616 spool, I made spacers out of nylon 1/4-20 screws, with the notches machined in the ends.  I kind of force-screw them into the 120 spools.  Others have said that you need to trim the 120 spool diameter down, but I did not have to with this camera. 

I also did make a mask along the document's guidelines, using .030" thick acrylic shim stock and black electrical tape.  It seems to work pretty well. 

I get 6 exposures (4.25"x2") on a 120 roll.  The film backing numbers (for 645) line up perfectly with the red window.  I use the following numbers: 2, 4.5, 7, 9.5, 12, 14.5.

Here are some pics:

The camera:

DSCN0298.jpg by reed_flickr, on Flickr

The spool spacers:

DSCN0300.jpg by reed_flickr, on Flickr

Spool installed:

DSCN0301.jpg by reed_flickr, on Flickr

and the mask:

DSCN0299.jpg by reed_flickr, on Flickr

It was a fun little project.  I hope to improve my technique with it.

Regards,
Reed

[radiophoto]

Nice, Reed -- I didn't know about those nylon 1/4-20 screws when I was doing my own conversions.  I'll have to get some of those and think about a re-do for one or two.

That's a nice camera, too.  I had a Captain, and the name was stamped into the lens ring, same as your Viking.

Thanks for the extra pics!

[jamesmck]

Neat, Reed -- almost large format!