What are the different photographic film formats?
The three main types of film format are 35 mm, medium format and large format. More unusual formats also exist such as 110 and 127.
When we talk about film formats what we’re really referring to is the size of the negative. As a general rule, the larger the negative, the finer the grain and more detail you will get in the final print.
35 mm (or 135 format)
35 mm (or 135 format) is the size most people are familiar with. It’s the kind of film your parents/grandparents would have regularly used. It is the most common and the cheapest type of film. One roll of 35 mm film gives you 24 or 36 exposures.
35 mm film is used in cameras like the LC-A+ , Sprocket Rocket, Fisheye No.2, and Lomography Simple Use Reloadable Film Cameras.
Medium format (or 120 film)
Medium format (or 120 film) is 6 cm wide and different medium format cameras shoot different variations of frame length including 6×4.5, 6×6 and 6×7. Depending on these frame lengths, medium format will give you between 8 – 16 shots per roll.
6×4.5 camera = 16 exposures
6×6 camera = 12 exposures
6×7 camera = 10 exposures
6×8 camera = 9 exposures
6×9 camera = 8 exposures
Medium format is used in cameras like the Diana F+, and the Lomo LC-A 120.
Large format
Large format (also known as sheet film) is the oldest type of film still widely used and is composed of individual sheets. Most common sizes are 4×5 and 8×10. Due to the expense of sheet film, and cumbersome cameras, large format is much less commonly used than 35 mm and medium format.
110 film
110 film (also known as pocket film) has a negative that is half the size of 35 mm film. 110 film also has a different loading system. It comes in a sealed unit with two separate containers for exposed and unexposed film, so unlike 35 mm does not require rewinding.
Although it’s not as well known as other film sizes, at Lomography 110 format is alive and thriving with our Diana Baby 110 and range of 110 film. Today, we are the only manufacturer of 110 film.
127 film
127 film is 46 mm wide, placing it between 35 mm and medium format films in size. These days it’s rare, however 127 film can still be found and used in vintage cameras such as The Kodak Brownie Reflex Synchro, and the The Rolleiflex 4×4 (Gray Baby).
12 Likes
jsalido, songminkyu, bal_lomero, crismiranda, n_u_m_b_f_a_c_e, adi_totp, pauliiine, asparuh, giraffesmind, sanichiban, iwnilom & alessandrom.
Anything missing?
Can’t find an answer to your question? Or do you have some useful advice to add to one of our courses? We want to build the world’s largest analogue learning space, so please send any further requests or information to school@lomography.com and we’ll take a look!
More Courses
-
What is a negative?
A negative is an image that is an inversion of the original. The colors are reversed and areas of the photograph that were light now appear dark, and vice versa.
-
What is tungsten film?
Most standard films are daylight-balanced, so they tend to capture the yellow-orange cast from tungsten lights. To address this, tungsten film was created to produce color-correct images taken under artificial lighting.
-
What is 126 film?
126 film was launched by Kodak in 1963 as a way to simplify the process of loading and unloading film into cameras. Its name comes from the negatives’ dimension of 26.5 mm square. Although companies ceased mass production of 126 format around 2007 to 2008, its cartridge is still known and loved today.
-
What is APS film?
Advanced Photo System or APS film was introduced in 1996 as a “high-tech” or modern alternative to the 126 and 110 film formats. It was 24 mm wide and it introduced many innovations, like the ability to choose exposure lengths and print sizes. Production of new APS film was ceased in 2011.
-
What is the difference between panchromatic and orthochromatic film?
Orthochromatic film is made with blue-sensitive silver halide crystals, while panchromatic film adds other chemicals to increase the film’s sensitivity into the green and red parts of the spectrum.
-
What is a half-frame film camera?
Half-frame cameras shoot 18×24 mm photographs on 35 mm film. This means you can take up to 72 images on one single roll and save a lot of film!
-
What are LomoChrome films?
LomoChrome is the name given to Lomography’s experimental film stocks. There are currently four LomoChrome film stocks available: LomoChrome Purple, LomoChrome Turquoise, LomoChrome Metropolis, and LomoChrome Color ‘92.
-
Where to get film developed?
There are a lot of places that can process and develop your 35 mm color negative film such as local drugstores or one-hour photo labs.
-
What is the processing method for Redscale and LomoChrome films?
All Lomography color films are processed using C-41 chemicals. This includes Lomography RedScale XR and our popular range of color-shifting LomoChrome films – LomoChrome Purple, LomoChrome Metropolis and LomoChrome Turquoise