127 Negative Film Facts & History

127 is a film format for still photography. The image format is usually a square 4x4 cm, but rectangular 4x3 cm and 4x6 cm are also standard.

127 is a roll film, 46 mm wide. Frame number markings for the 4x4 and 4x6 image formats are printed on the backing paper, while 4x3 cameras typically have two frame counter windows, exposing the left and right halves of the 4x6 frame. Using the square format, there are 12 exposures per roll; 4x3 and 4x6 give 16 and 8, respectively. There are alternative uses. For its Alfax model (circa 1940), Kimura Kogaku had 4x4.5 cm frames, spaced by markings on the wind knob.

The format was introduced by Kodak in 1912, along with the Vest Pocket Kodak folding camera, as a compact alternative to larger portable cameras using 120. The folding 127's were in fact smaller than most 35 mm cameras today. The 127 format made a comeback during the 1950s as the format of choice for small inexpensive cameras such as the Brownie and Satellite, and continued in wide use until surpassed by the 126 film and 110 film Instamatic cartridges (introduced in 1963 and 1972 respectively), and especially by 35 mm. 127 cameras from that era were often characterized by simple box-like construction. Slides shot on 127 slide film were often preferred over 35 mm for example for sets of slides sold at tourist gift shops, because of the larger photo area and completely square dimensions of a 127 slide. The format was part of the ISO 732 standard until it was dropped in the third (1991) edition of that standard.

Not all 127 films were labeled as such. After 1913, many Kodak cameras included the Autographic feature, and Kodak's 127 films which had Autographic backing were identified as A127. Other film manufacturers did not produce Autographic films, for which Kodak held a patent. Other camera manufacturers did make Vest Pocket-format cameras, however, and 127 film at the time was often labeled Vest Pocket Film.

Viewing your 127 negative films is difficult due to their small size. Once we convert your 127 negative films to digital, you can view them anyway you want, anytime you want and anywhere you want. Once we convert your 127 films, you can view the digital files on your TV using your DVD player, view them on your computer, laptop, smart phone, tablet or view them online.