116 film

116 is a roll film introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1899 for 2½×4¼ inch negatives (nominally 6.5×11 cm). The film stock is 70mm wide: wider than that of 120 film.

In 1932, Kodak introduced 616 film. This has a slightly slimmer spool (originally metal rather than wood). Kodak discontinued both 116 and 616 in 1984.

With some ingenuity, 120 film can be used with cameras designed for 116 and 616, as can 70mm film. Remember that if you respool 120 film onto 116/616 spools and have it developed at a lab, you must ask for your 116/616 spools back. Otherwise they'll be thrown away!

Links

• Cheap and easy way to use 120 film in a 616 camera, from photojunkie.org (now the property of a domain squatter) via web.archive.org
• Using 70mm film in a camera designed for 616 or 116, a thread at Nelsonfoto forums

• Using 120 in a No. 1-A Folding Pocket Kodak Special, a thread at Nelsonfoto forums Nelsonfoto appears to have changed ownership, and no longer has a forum.
• 120 film in a 116 Brownie, by Greyhoundman
• History of Kodak roll film numbers, at the Kodak Collector's Page
• History of Kodak roll films at the Brownie Camera page
• "Kodak paper lengths by film type", by Don Day
• "116/616 film independence", by Don Day: On the use of 70mm film; introduces a supplier of packing paper
• "Marking a 116/616 backing paper without a pattern", by Don Day
• "Adapting a Patterson-type reel for large-format films", by Don Day