These wonderful adapters let you use 35mm film in your 126 camera! Welcome back to the world, 126 - we missed you 😊
Created by the legendary Camerhack, with this device you will be able to shoot any of the 35mm films available in our store with minimal DIY required.
Couple of extra pointers:
Use 24 exposure film or cut down a 36-exposure roll by a third (see video below) as it's unlikely you will get more than 16-20 frames due to the diminutive camera size
Most 126 cameras have fixed (fast) shutter speed and medium aperture - so ISO 100 or 200 is probably your best bet for getting good results on a sunny day
Not all 126 cameras will work well with the adapter: the FPP has produce an amazing video that we've embedded below for you to check whether your camera is likely to be a success
The perforations on 126 are slightly different to 35mm - so most cameras will try and stop the advance too early. Make sure you shoot one or two 'black' photos (covering the lens with your hand or similar) between real frames to avoid overlap...unless that's what you're looking for!
The Fakmatic adapter comes with an instruction booklet, and any specific technical questions can be addressed to Claudio at Camerhack
For more info about the background of Camerhack then head over to our interview with Claudio!
Instructions for loading, shooting and unloading
Compatible Cameras
Where we ship
When you buy your camera film from us we can ship it across the UK, Europe, USA, New Zealand, Australia and Canada (more countries planned soon!) So buy your Camerhack Fakmatic Adapter for 126 Film Cameras today and dive back into the fun of 126 film photography!
NB: the brand is sometimes mis-spelled as Camerahack or Camerhak
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
If you clip a sprocket every two inches, you will smoothly be able to advance film and shoot with the Rollei SL26 camera.
For color and panchromatic BW film, this task must be done in the dark.
Orthochromatic films (like Ilford Ortho Plus, Ferrania ORTO, FPP Sonic and others) can be handled using a Red 5w Red Safety Light. (Note that red bulbs from the party store are not Safe Lights and will fog your film).
M
Maksvelas (Vilnius, LT)
Don't listen to the name, it's actually good
This adapter thingy is very easy to use. A great alternative to reusing old cartridges!
R
Richard P. (Glasgow, GB)
GREAT
I like a 126 camera. They're cheap and usually pretty nasty. It's a fun way to photograph.
The problem being of course that you can't get film anymore. The Fakmatic solves this by letting you load any ordinary 35mm film into your camera.
It's pretty good. You'll need a dark bag to load it. It does help to have used one before, as it is a bit tricky sometimes. It comes in two parts, so keep this in mind wgen loading your camera. The first one I used was a Kodak Instamatic 500, which is actually a pretty decent and solid camera, so it isn't too leaky; I'd suggest extra sealing precautions though.
You will also need to remember to fire 2/3 "blank shots" as a normal 35mm film has more holes than a 126.
If you have a 126 you want to dust off though, get on it.
Some sample shots. Nothing earth shattering, but gives an idea.
I
Ian T.
Super Simple
Extremely simple to use, but requires a bit of practise.
The first thing to note is which way the yellow wind-on spindle goes in. Get it upside down and you'll be upset..
The second thing is that there is no mechanism for knowing your film is finished, so I taped a match to the end of the film strip so that it met resistance at the end and I knew when I'd finished. If you go the old fashioned "count in your head" method, you'll get about 18 exposures from a 24 exposure roll of 35mm (assuming a double wind on between shots)
Well worth a go, and not every Instamatic is a plastic "fantastic". The 500 is fully manual!
M
Martyn W. (London, GB)
Well thought out cassette
Follow the video before attempting to load the device. I had a spare expired 35mm roll cut it to the advised length and practiced in daylight a few times as you will need to be in the dark for the real thing.It can be adapted for both top or bottom drive 126 cameras, ie Rollie 126 top, Ricoh 126 bottom. Follow the advice when moving to the next frame as 126 have only one hole every 35mm whereas 35mm film have several fooling the lever into stopping the advance prematurely. Really fiddly procedures but it allows use of your defunct camera. So please someone resurrect APS film next as I have several unusable lovelies !!
