Any 127 film shooters here?
p.1 #1Any 127 film shooters here?
Now that 127 film is available at affordable prices (around $10/roll) from Reflx Lab and a few other sources, I decided to take the plunge. Loads of interesting 127 cameras are available, usually quite affordably apart from the baby Rolleiflexes and the Zeiss Night Kolibri (which goes for more than a Plaubel Makina!).
I ordered a Bencini Comet S in tip-top shape for $50; it shoots 16 frames per roll of 127 film; it's basically a half-frame camera. I may eventually get a Ricoh Super 44 which will give me a lot more flexibility as well as larger images.
Paterson reels can take 127 film and I also have an old Kodacraft tank with an apron for 127 film.
The biggest challenge for me will be scanning. I don't do camera scanning and Epson never made holders for 127 film; I did find a place in Italy that sells 127 holders but they work best in later-model Epsons and I'm not sure how well it'll do in my V600...we'll see once everything gets here and I can shoot and develop a roll.
Anyone else here shooting 127?
Lots of useful resources and sample images at https://127film.blogspot.com/
I ordered a Bencini Comet S in tip-top shape for $50; it shoots 16 frames per roll of 127 film; it's basically a half-frame camera. I may eventually get a Ricoh Super 44 which will give me a lot more flexibility as well as larger images.
Paterson reels can take 127 film and I also have an old Kodacraft tank with an apron for 127 film.
The biggest challenge for me will be scanning. I don't do camera scanning and Epson never made holders for 127 film; I did find a place in Italy that sells 127 holders but they work best in later-model Epsons and I'm not sure how well it'll do in my V600...we'll see once everything gets here and I can shoot and develop a roll.
Anyone else here shooting 127?
Lots of useful resources and sample images at https://127film.blogspot.com/
Sep 11, 2026 at 08:53 AM
p.1 #2Any 127 film shooters here?
My mom (b1919 - d2022) shot a bunch of 127 in college - then she had us kids and it ruined everything. 
This is approximately 1937, and perhaps one of the earliest "selfy". The camera was dark brown plastic/bake-a-lite
This is approximately 1937, and perhaps one of the earliest "selfy". The camera was dark brown plastic/bake-a-liteSep 11, 2026 at 04:30 PM
p.1 #3Any 127 film shooters here?
Another interesting option is cameras that take 620 film. Like 127, there is some retail availability. More importantly, the only difference from 120 is the spool, so you can just roll any 120 film onto a 620 spool yourself.
So far, I've resisted taking the plunge.
So far, I've resisted taking the plunge.
Sep 11, 2026 at 06:02 PM
p.1 #4Any 127 film shooters here?
My camera (Bencini Comet S) and film arrived, so I shot a test roll yesterday and developed it this morning.
Comet S by Brad Hurley, on Flickr
A few thoughts:
1. 127 cameras and film are impossibly cute. The cameras are like miniature versions of 120-film cameras. The film rolls are about the size of my pinky.
2. I have my doubts about Reflx Lab's 127 films. For some reason they attached the film to the wrong end of the backing paper, so the frame numbers go in reverse (you start shooting at frame 12 and go down to 1). The frame numbers were also not well aligned with my camera's red windows (it has two of them as it's a half-frame camera); I got quite a few overlapping frames as it was really hard to tell where I was on the roll. The roll I shot is full of light leaks but I don't know if that's the film's problem or the camera's; I do suspect light leaks from the camera as there'a a little plunger to hold the film that I couldn't get to fully close. The camera itself doesn't require foam light seals, it's designed to be light-tight but it's possible that there are some leaks.
It's fun to shoot 127, but not fun enough for me to spend any more money on it. I could get a better, less limited camera (this one only has one aperture, f/11, and one shutter speed 1/50 plus bulb mode), but the available options for affordable new 127 film are very limited and the original expired films are very expensive.
Comet S by Brad Hurley, on FlickrA few thoughts:
1. 127 cameras and film are impossibly cute. The cameras are like miniature versions of 120-film cameras. The film rolls are about the size of my pinky.
2. I have my doubts about Reflx Lab's 127 films. For some reason they attached the film to the wrong end of the backing paper, so the frame numbers go in reverse (you start shooting at frame 12 and go down to 1). The frame numbers were also not well aligned with my camera's red windows (it has two of them as it's a half-frame camera); I got quite a few overlapping frames as it was really hard to tell where I was on the roll. The roll I shot is full of light leaks but I don't know if that's the film's problem or the camera's; I do suspect light leaks from the camera as there'a a little plunger to hold the film that I couldn't get to fully close. The camera itself doesn't require foam light seals, it's designed to be light-tight but it's possible that there are some leaks.
It's fun to shoot 127, but not fun enough for me to spend any more money on it. I could get a better, less limited camera (this one only has one aperture, f/11, and one shutter speed 1/50 plus bulb mode), but the available options for affordable new 127 film are very limited and the original expired films are very expensive.
Sep 17, 2026 at 07:14 AM