Scott's Photographica Collection

Using Vintage Ansco Roll Film Cameras

The Goodwin Film & Camera Company
Ansco 7B Transparent Film Cartridge - 1910

FAQ - Can I buy film for my old Ansco camera?
Answer - Possibly.

I've received emails from people wanting to take photographs with their antique and vintage Ansco cameras.  The question most frequently asked is whether film is still available.

Many vintage Ansco cameras have decals located in the film compartment that specify the film size.  However, in the early 20th century Ansco's film numbering system differed from Kodak's.  Today's film is no longer marked in the original Ansco numbering system.  You can't walk into a store and ask for a roll of 4A film.  But you can ask for a roll of 120 film, the Kodak equivalent, a film still made by a number of manufacturers.

FAQ - But what about my camera?
Answer - Check the tables below.

There are two tables on this page.  The first table is sequenced by Ansco film number.  If you know what Ansco film fits your camera, scan down the Ansco Film Number column until you find it.  Look to see the equivalent Kodak film size.  That's all there is to it.  You'll notice most film numbers are listed more than once.  This is because that film was made for a variety of Ansco cameras.  It is not necessary to locate your camera model in the table if you know the Ansco film number.

Use Table 2 if you know your camera model, but not the film number.  The table is sequenced alphabetically by camera model.  Look up your camera and note the equivalent Kodak film.

FAQ - I don't know my camera model or film size. What should I do?
Answer - You need to identify your camera model.

Search the Web for Ansco cameras.  Chances are excellent you'll find a model that matches the appearance and description of your camera.  If you're really stuck, take a photo of your camera.  Attach the photo to an email and send it to me.  I may be able to ID your camera model.

FAQ - Is this a complete list of Ansco roll film cameras? 
Answer - No.

The tables list a majority of the Anthony & Scovill and Ansco cameras made for the original Ansco film numbering system, ca 1900 - 1930.

Later Ansco cameras and instruction books specify film sizes in either the Agfa-Ansco or modern Kodak numbering system.  The original Ansco numbering system was phased-out after Agfa merged with Ansco in 1928.  This page does not provide information on the Agfa-Ansco numbering system.

FAQ - Are all of these Kodak film sizes available?
Answer - No.

Of the sizes listed in the tables only 120 and 127 are currently available from major film manufacturers.  120 film and processing services are available at many camera stores.  127 film is a bit more difficult to locate.  It is no longer made by Kodak and not found in many stores.  I can recommend Freestyle Photographic Supplies and B&H for 120 and 127 film.

If you need a film size other than 120 or 127 search the Web to see if it is available from re-spoolers. The original version of this page had listed sellers of discontinued film sizes, but those sellers are either out of business or no longer re-spooling discontinued sizes.

FAQ - Given a choice, which film should I buy?
Answer - The slowest available.

Most cameras on this page will deliver their best results on slow-speed film, that is, under 200 ISO.  If you have a choice of film emulsions choose the slowest available, particularly if you are using color film.  Shutters may no longer operate accurately at their marked speeds.  Figure they will tend to overexpose.  Of course filters can be used to compensate for higher film speeds.

FAQ - Should I have my camera serviced before spending money on film?
Answer - No, it's generally not economical. Check it yourself.

If your camera has a bellows, check for light leaks.  To check for leaks, open the camera back and extend the bellows.  In a darkened room shine a bright flashlight into the bellows from the back.  Look at the bellows exterior.  If you see light emanating from the bellows material, your bellows has light leaks.  My advice is to put your camera on the shelf and admire its aesthetic charms.  If you insist on shooting with this particular camera and the bellows has minor leaks, search the Web for advice on patching leaky bellows.

Try the shutter.  If it opens and closes without undue hesitation, then the shutter is OK.  If it does not open and close properly - in a fraction of a second and fairly crisply, then consider retiring the camera.

Check the red window.  Look at the back of your camera.  You should see a round hole covered with red translucent acetate or plastic, or a variation on this theme.  The red window is what you look through to count exposures.  Often the glue that attaches the red window dries out and the window becomes lost.  If you have the window, but it is detached, glue it back in place.  Most any glue will do.  If the window is lost cut a new window to fit and glue it in place.  You can cut the window from a sheet of red plastic.  A good source is the plastic sheet sold in stationary stores that is used for presentation covers.  The material and shade of red are not critical.  

Clean the lens.  It will make a big difference.  

Take some pictures.  Due in part to their large image size all of these cameras are capable of taking excellent photographs.

Table Notes and Model Identification Tips

• Most Ansco roll films were available in two lengths.  These rolls are shown in the table with a slash between the film numbers and number of exposures.  For example, 18C produced 6 exposures per roll; 18D gave 10 exposures.
• Ansco literature refers to some camera models by more than one name.  If a camera had more than one name, the earliest name I've been able to locate is listed first.   Alternate names are shown in parenthesis below the earliest name.
• The word (box) after a camera name is used to distinguish box from folding cameras when the style is not obvious from the name.
• The Ansco Vest Pocket was renamed Ansco Vest Pocket No. 0 upon introduction of the Ansco Vest Pocket Nos.1, 2 and 3.
• If the initials F.B.B. appear somewhere on an Ansco camera or shutter, the camera is a Folding Buster Brown.
• Ansco often used the letters V-P to refer to a Vest Pocket camera.
• The original Ansco Memo camera does not appear in the table because it is not a roll film camera.  The Memo takes 1/2 frame photographs on 35mm film.  Initially this film was not given an Ansco size number.  It was called Memo Film.  Later, Ansco used the size designation M35.  The Memo can be used today by loading 35mm film into a Memo cassette.
• The 1913 Ansco catalog lists 10B film as a twelve exposure roll.  Later catalogs list 10B as a ten exposure roll.

Table Notes
...See Table 1 notes, above.

Ansco 7B Transparent Film Cartridge - 1910
Anthony & Scovill No. 2 Box Camera - ca 1906
Eastman Kodak V118 Verichrome Film - 1948

Page created January 14, 2004; updated December 20, 2020