The 620 film format, which saw its heyday in the mid-20th century, was a roll film that was introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1932 as an alternative to the 120 film format. In essence, 620 film was the same as 120 in terms of the actual film size and image format, measuring 61 mm wide, but the key difference was in the size and design of the spool.
The 120 film format’s spool was designed with a larger diameter, and a small, key-slot shaped flange on each end to keep the film from unspooling. By contrast, the 620 film format utilized a narrower spool, with smaller, round flanges. This allowed the 620 film to be used in smaller, more compact cameras. It was a bid by Kodak to drive the market towards their own proprietary cameras and film, as the 620 film could not be used in cameras designed for 120 film without modification.
The 620 film format was used in a wide array of Kodak cameras including the Kodak Brownie and the Kodak Six-20 series. Other manufacturers, like Argus and Imperial, also adopted this film format for some of their models. The 620 film was available in several types including black and white, color, and infrared.
Despite its widespread use, the 620 film format was discontinued by Kodak in 1995. However, the legacy of the format lives on. Some photographers today still use vintage cameras that require 620 film, spooling 120 film onto 620 spools in a darkroom or changing the camera to accept 120 spools. Some companies even respool 120 film onto 620 spools and sell them as new 620 film for those enthusiasts not wishing to do it themselves.
Though largely obsolete, the 620 film format represents an interesting chapter in the history of photography, a time when film formats were not yet standardized and companies like Kodak sought to create proprietary products to shape the market. Its endurance today testifies to the lasting impact of these earlier technological decisions and the ongoing fascination with vintage photography equipment and techniques.
