Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: Medium Format Definition

  1. #1
    http://www.spiritsofsilver.com tgtaylor's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    4,728

    Medium Format Definition

    Back in the 19th century Watkin's 12x10" negatives were/are considered "medium format." I always thought that "medium format" was larger than 35mm but less than 4x5" which is considered "large format." When did this change?

    Thomas

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    now in Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    3,617

    Re: Medium Format Definition

    Since in the 19th century photos were contact printed, it was probably after people started enlarging smaller formats to make their final prints.
    35mm was once called 'miniature', as was 120 roll film when the Rollei was a new sensation (c.1930s-40s). I've heard reference to 5x7 being the smallest 'large format' size too. Of course I occasionally shoot 3-1/4x4-1/4, which doesn't qualify as 'large format' on this forum (but would many other places, including my house). So I'll suggest that such definitions are (and were) quite variable and not precisely defined.

  3. #3
    http://www.spiritsofsilver.com tgtaylor's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    4,728

    Re: Medium Format Definition

    Here's a website I just googled: http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/1_early/...hy_-_sizes.htm

    It list 12x8" in the day as being Imperial size prints. No mention of "medium format."

    Thomas

Similar Threads

  1. LF, VLF, ULF: What's Your Definition of Format Sizes?
    By Reinhold Schable in forum On Photography
    Replies: 29
    Last Post: 17-Jan-2014, 17:02
  2. Large Format or Medium Format for use on foot and sailboat
    By McCormack, Ken in forum Style & Technique
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 31-Jan-1999, 00:52

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •