PDA

View Full Version : film size



Hung Long Ho
7-Aug-1997, 16:20
Could you give me some info about cameras. I am using a Nikon F3 35mm, so I know what 35mm stand for. What I'm confused is what size of film for medium and large format cameras? what is the difference between 120 vs 220 film? and finally what are 5x7, 4x5 and 2x3 films?

QT Luong
7-Aug-1997, 16:30
35mm film comes in canisters. Medium format cameras use film which comes in rolls which are 6cm wide. The picture format are (all in cm): 4.5x6, 6x6, 6x8, 6x9, 6x12, 6x17. There are two types of rolls, 120 and 220. 120 film is thicker because of a paper backing, therefore you get two times less exposures per roll. Large format cameras use sheet film (therefore the picture format and the film size are identical). The popular formats are 4x5 inches and 8x10 inches, but other formats are also used. 2x3 inches is 6x9 cm. There used to be sheet film of that size, but i have not seen it recently.