What film format are ~6×6 cm WWII-era negatives, and what scanner should handle them?

Asked 10/19/2017

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I found a binder of my grandparents’ negatives from around WWII in Europe. I can identify the 35mm strips, but many of the others are individual hand-cut negatives with image areas around 6×6 cm (possibly slightly taller than wide). Some are amber and marked “Kodak Safety Film,” and others are very clear and marked “ADOX.”

I’d like to digitize them and may buy a scanner that can also handle prints. What film format are these likely to be, and what scanner type/spec should I look for?

620-film 120-film negative-identification film-scanning medium-format

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

2 Answers

I asked B&H and they told me that it's standard 120 size film and recommended the Epson V600. Seems reasonable. Fingers crossed!

Originally by user68980. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user68980

8y ago

AI Answer

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Negatives with an image area around 6×6 cm are most likely medium-format 120 film, sometimes also found as 620. Those two film types use the same film width; the main difference was the spool, not the image size. A 6×6 cm frame is commonly called 2¼×2¼ inches.

So for scanning, you’ll want a scanner that supports medium-format film/120 film rather than a 35mm-only scanner. If you also want to scan prints, a flatbed photo scanner with film holders is a practical choice. The Epson V600 was specifically recommended in the community answers and is a common option for both prints and medium-format negatives.

The film edge markings you mentioned help identify manufacturer/stock, but the important part for scanner compatibility is the frame size: roughly 6×6 cm medium format.

What film format are ~6×6 cm WWII-era negatives, and what scanner should handle them?

2 Answers

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