126 film
Encyclopedia
126 is the number given to a cartridge-based film format
used in still photography
. It was introduced by Kodak in 1963, and is associated mainly with low-end point-and-shoot cameras, particularly Kodak's own Instamatic
series of cameras.
Although 126 was once very popular, it is no longer manufactured, and few photofinishers will process it.
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In 1963, Kodak introduced a new film, encased in a plastic cartridge, for which they re-introduced the "126" designation. (The number was originally used for the unrelated 126 roll film
format from 1906 to 1949).
The term "126" was intended to show that images were 26mm square, using Kodak's common 1xx film numbering system. However the image size is actually 28 × 28 mm, but usually reduced to approximately 26.5 × 26.5 mm by masking during printing or mounting.
The positioning of the image is fixed by the cartridge. The width of the film is the same as 35 mm
, but the perforation consists of just one registration hole per image.
The roll of film is housed in a plastic cartridge that also acts as a backing plate. The film was originally available in 12 and 20 image lengths; at the time regular production stopped it was only available in 24 exposure cartridges. Like the 120
format, there is a continuous backing paper, and the frame number and type is visible through a window at the rear of the cartridge. The film does not need to be rewound, and is very simple to load and unload.
The format was introduced by Kodak under the brand name Kodapak, together with the Instamatic
camera. Although the Instamatic name is sometimes treated as synonymous with the 126 format, Kodak also used it on its later 110
-format cameras, which they called Pocket Instamatic and on its "M" series 8mm
movie cameras.
Around ten million cameras were made by Kodak and other companies. However, with a few exceptions, the format was mainly used for fairly simple amateur
cameras. (Makers of the few high-end models included Kodak, Yashica
, Rollei
and Zeiss-Ikon.) Kodak officially discontinued the format on 31 December 1999.
in Italy
, was the last factory making 126 film. Their product was an ISO 200
colour print film marketed under their Solaris brand. The last scheduled production run took place in April 2007, but an unscheduled production run in late 2007 surprised industry observers and raised hopes that it had not actually been discontinued. As of March 2009, Ferrania customer service states that they are producing only 135 format color film in 200 and 400 ASA.
Adocolor 126, which was until recently available in Europe and was sometimes imported by North American resellers, was manufactured for the German Adox company by Ferrania. Ferrania and Adox are currently in negotiations to transfer the relevant production moulds etc. to Adox so production can start again. Adox is hoping to release it in January 2012.
Because it is 35mm wide and is developed in industry-standard C-41 process
chemistry, processing of currently available 126 films is readily available, as long as the photofinisher knows that it is standard, 35mm, C-41 film. Many photofinishers are not aware of this, so it is important to inform them. Printing the photos can present problems, because modern film processing equipment often cannot handle the square format of 126 film. There are specialist photographic suppliers
who can correctly process and print 126 film. Many standard flatbed scanners that have a light source for scanning films can be used to scan 126 negatives. All that is required is a simple black mask, which can easily be made with black paper.
Film format
A film format is a technical definition of a set of standard characteristics regarding image capture on photographic film, for either stills or movies. It can also apply to projected film, either slides or movies. The primary characteristic of a film format is its size and shape.In the case of...
used in still photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
. It was introduced by Kodak in 1963, and is associated mainly with low-end point-and-shoot cameras, particularly Kodak's own Instamatic
Instamatic
The Instamatic was a series of inexpensive, easy-to-load 126 and 110 cameras made by Kodak beginning in 1963. The Instamatic was immensely successful, introducing a generation to low-cost photography and spawning numerous imitators....
series of cameras.
Although 126 was once very popular, it is no longer manufactured, and few photofinishers will process it.
History and technical details
126 film (roll format)
126 was the name later given to a roll film format originally introduced by Kodak in 1906, for images 4¼ × 6½ inches. It was discontinued in March 1949....
format from 1906 to 1949).
The term "126" was intended to show that images were 26mm square, using Kodak's common 1xx film numbering system. However the image size is actually 28 × 28 mm, but usually reduced to approximately 26.5 × 26.5 mm by masking during printing or mounting.
The positioning of the image is fixed by the cartridge. The width of the film is the same as 35 mm
135 film
The term 135 was introduced by Kodak in 1934 as a designation for cartridge film wide, specifically for still photography. It quickly grew in popularity, surpassing 120 film by the late 1960s to become the most popular photographic film format...
, but the perforation consists of just one registration hole per image.
120 film
120 is a film format for still photography introduced by Kodak for their Brownie No. 2 in 1901. It was originally intended for amateur photography but was later superseded in this role by 135 film...
format, there is a continuous backing paper, and the frame number and type is visible through a window at the rear of the cartridge. The film does not need to be rewound, and is very simple to load and unload.
The format was introduced by Kodak under the brand name Kodapak, together with the Instamatic
Instamatic
The Instamatic was a series of inexpensive, easy-to-load 126 and 110 cameras made by Kodak beginning in 1963. The Instamatic was immensely successful, introducing a generation to low-cost photography and spawning numerous imitators....
camera. Although the Instamatic name is sometimes treated as synonymous with the 126 format, Kodak also used it on its later 110
110 film
110 is a cartridge-based film format used in still photography. It was introduced by Kodak in 1972. 110 is a miniaturised version of Kodak's earlier 126 film format. Each frame is , with one registration hole....
-format cameras, which they called Pocket Instamatic and on its "M" series 8mm
8 mm film
8 mm film is a motion picture film format in which the filmstrip is eight millimeters wide. It exists in two main versions: the original standard 8mm film, also known as regular 8 mm or Double 8 mm, and Super 8...
movie cameras.
Around ten million cameras were made by Kodak and other companies. However, with a few exceptions, the format was mainly used for fairly simple amateur
Amateur
An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
cameras. (Makers of the few high-end models included Kodak, Yashica
Yashica
Yashica was a Japanese manufacturer of cameras.-History:The company began in December, 1949 in Nagano, Japan, when the Yashima Seiki Company was founded with an initial investment of $566. Its eight employees originally manufactured components for electric clocks...
, Rollei
Rollei
Rollei is a German manufacturer of optical goods founded in 1920 by Paul Franke and Reinhold Heidecke in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, and maker of the Rolleiflex and Rolleicord series of cameras...
and Zeiss-Ikon.) Kodak officially discontinued the format on 31 December 1999.
Current availability and usage
FerraniaFerrania
Ferrania S.p.A. is a manufacturing company located in Ferrania , Italy.The original firm was started in 1923 as a maker of photographic films, papers, and equipment. The company was purchased in 1964 by the 3M company, who spun it off to their Imation Division. The firm was acquired by Schroder...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, was the last factory making 126 film. Their product was an ISO 200
Film speed
Film speed is the measure of a photographic film's sensitivity to light, determined by sensitometry and measured on various numerical scales, the most recent being the ISO system....
colour print film marketed under their Solaris brand. The last scheduled production run took place in April 2007, but an unscheduled production run in late 2007 surprised industry observers and raised hopes that it had not actually been discontinued. As of March 2009, Ferrania customer service states that they are producing only 135 format color film in 200 and 400 ASA.
Adocolor 126, which was until recently available in Europe and was sometimes imported by North American resellers, was manufactured for the German Adox company by Ferrania. Ferrania and Adox are currently in negotiations to transfer the relevant production moulds etc. to Adox so production can start again. Adox is hoping to release it in January 2012.
Because it is 35mm wide and is developed in industry-standard C-41 process
C-41 process
C-41 is a chromogenic color print film developing process. C-41, also known as CN-16 by Fuji, CNK-4 by Konica, and AP-70 by AGFA, is the most popular film process in use, with most photofinishing labs devoting at least one machine to this development process....
chemistry, processing of currently available 126 films is readily available, as long as the photofinisher knows that it is standard, 35mm, C-41 film. Many photofinishers are not aware of this, so it is important to inform them. Printing the photos can present problems, because modern film processing equipment often cannot handle the square format of 126 film. There are specialist photographic suppliers
Dwayne's Photo
Dwayne's Photo is a film processing facility in Parsons, Kansas founded in 1956. It was the last Kodak certified Kodachrome processing facility in the world, until the line was shut down on December 30, 2010 due to lack of developing chemicals.- History :...
who can correctly process and print 126 film. Many standard flatbed scanners that have a light source for scanning films can be used to scan 126 negatives. All that is required is a simple black mask, which can easily be made with black paper.