Editing 126 film (section)

==History==
The format was introduced in 1963 by Kodak under the brand name ''Kodapak'', together with the [[Instamatic]] camera line.<ref name=PM-1963/> Although the Instamatic name is sometimes treated as synonymous with the 126 format, Kodak also used it on similar film cartridge-based camera lines, including its later ''Pocket Instamatic'' cameras using [[110 film|110]]-format cartridges (1972),<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MdQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA74 |title=New from Kodak: World's smallest pocket camera for under $30! |author=Berger, Ivan |date=June 1972 |magazine=Popular Mechanics |pages=74–75 |volume=137 |number=6 |publisher=The Hearst Corporation |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref> and on its ''Instamatic M'' series movie cameras using [[Super 8 film]] (1965).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cedu.niu.edu/blackwell/multimedia/high/Thumbs/210.html |title=Northern Illinois University collection |access-date=2007-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221151425/http://www.cedu.niu.edu/blackwell/multimedia/high/Thumbs/210.html |archive-date=2009-02-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DeMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34 |title=8-mm Movies Grow Up |author=Maher, Arthur J. |date=June 1965 |pages=34–35 |magazine=Popular Mechanics |volume=123 |number=6 |publisher=The Hearst Corporation |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref>

Around ten million cameras were made by Kodak and other companies. With a few exceptions, the format was mainly used for fairly simple [[amateur]] cameras; some of the few high-end models were manufactured by companies included Kodak, [[Minolta]], [[Rollei]], [[Yashica]] and [[Zeiss Ikon]].<ref name=PM-196902>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I9gDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA148 |title=The drop-in film cartridge has come to stay |author=Gallagher, Sheldon M. |pages=148–150 |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=February 1969 |volume=131 |number=2 |publisher=The Hearst Corporation |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref> The 126 cartridge also was used as the basis for a [[pinhole camera]] that could be built using household supplies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.exploratorium.edu/bob-miller/light-walk/make-a-pinhole-camera |title=To Do and Notice: Making a Pinhole Camera |website=Exploratorium |date=19 August 2014 |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref> Kodak officially discontinued the format on 31 December 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Kodak+126+Film+to+be+Discontinued+by+2000-a020559366|title=Kodak 126 Film to be Discontinued by 2000|date=May 6, 1998|website=[[Free Online Library]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413131048/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Kodak+126+Film+to+be+Discontinued+by+2000-a020559366|archive-date=April 13, 2014|access-date=December 6, 2019}}</ref> Unused, outdated 126 films continue to show up at thrift stores, estate sales, and online auctions. Unless they have been stored frozen, they are probably deteriorated and are suitable only for experimenting.

[[Image:Dynapan 126 Film.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[3M]] Dynapan monochromatic 126 film cartridge in box (expired: February 1969)]]
=== Current availability and usage ===

[[Ferrania]] in [[Italy]] was the last factory producing 126 film. They marketed an [[Film speed|ISO 200]] color print film 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://frugalphotographer.store/cat126.php|title=126 Instamatic film in the Frugal Photographer catalog|website=frugalphotographer.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005045530/http://frugalphotographer.store/cat126.php|archive-date=October 5, 2018|access-date=December 7, 2019}}</ref> Ferrania's subsequent [[bankruptcy]] meant that there was no longer any large-scale factory source for 126 film.

Some photographers reuse the plastic cartridge from outdated 126 films and reload them with fresh 35mm film. The process is not difficult, but it is not entirely practical since the process must be carried out in the dark, as the 35mm film must be removed from the cartridge. In addition, the two films have significantly different perforation schemes. 126 cameras have a film-advance mechanism that relies on one edge perforation per image, and 35mm camera film has eight perforations per image, on both edges of the film. The photographer must use the film-advance mechanism several times between images, and one edge of each image will have visible perforations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lomography.com/magazine/44732-recargando-tu-carrete-de-126-con-pelicula-de-35-mm |title=Reload Your Old 126 Films with Fresh 35mm Film |website=lomography |date=12 March 2011 |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://photothinking.com/2019-02-16-reloading-a-126-film-cartridge/ |title=Reloading a 126 Film Cartridge |author=Panagopoulos, Theo |website=Photo Thinking |date=February 16, 2019 |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref> An adapter is available for photographers without access to 126 cartridges, but the adapter does not fit all cameras.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.camerhack.it/product/fakmatic-126-film-cartridge/ |title=Fakmatic |website=Camerhack |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref>

Because it is [[35mm format|35&nbsp;mm wide]] and is developed in industry-standard [[C-41 process]] chemistry, processing of most 126 films is readily available, as long as the photofinisher knows that it is standard, 35&nbsp;mm-wide, C-41 film. Printing the photos can present problems, because modern film processing equipment often cannot handle the square format of 126 film. Some specialist photographic printers can correctly handle it. Standard flatbed scanners that have a light source for scanning film can be used to scan 126 [[Negative (photography)|negatives]], perhaps using a mask made with black paper.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stockholmviews.com/diyphotogear/126_filmholder.html|title=diy 126 filmstrip holder for Canon 8600F flatbed scanner|website=www.stockholmviews.com|access-date=2019-12-08}}</ref> Note that older film may require uncommon film processing such as [[C-22 process|C-22]].