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With about 4 times the surface of the 35mm film format, the medium format can be enlarged significantly without losing quality. Artists often use the medium format size for large prints because it has less apparent grain and finer details. Also, it has better tonality (smoother gradations). The biggest and obvious difference in 35mm and 120 Medium Format (Can be referred to as “Medium format” or just “120”) is the size.
35mm vs 120 Medium Format Film
How to choose to shoot with 35mm or 120 medium format film?
35mm Film
35mm gets its name from the total width of 135 film, which for years was the format’s primary medium. 35mm film has a standardized frame size of 24mm x 36mm (864 sq. mm of film surface). An advantage of 35mm is because it’s smaller. This smaller size makes the camera and the cartridges a bit more portable to larger format cameras that are bulkier and heavier. They also tend to be more difficult to set up. Because the 35mm format is convenient, easy to use and the world’s most popular film format, it’s a staple for many amateur photographers.
120 Medium Format
Once the most widely used film size, 120 medium format film now occupies a niche in the photography world, adored by professionals and amateurs alike for its distinctive, true-to-life quality.
The primary distinction of medium format film is the larger size. This size difference can be anywhere from two to six times larger than 35mm films. This larger film size produces images with much more resolution, allowing the photographer to create large prints without the noticeable grain that you would get with smaller format film. The larger size of medium format film also allows for more control over depth of field, and therefore has greater creative potential.
Aside from its size, there are other, more subtle advantages to shooting medium format film. Because the tonality is better (smoother gradations) and lack of perspective distortion, medium format images have a distinct feel that is instantly recognizable. This lack of perspective distortion, which warps and transforms an object significantly from how it looks with a normal focal length, medium format images tend to look closer to what your eyes see in the real world. This natural look is what makes medium format images so powerful.
Our experienced staff has literally developed millions of E-6 film rolls, ensuring professional and reliable processing results every time! Learn more about our E-6 slide film developing.
