PHOTOGRAPHY

Starting out with medium format photography   by Mattias Olsson

120 film, also known as medium format film, was at first introduced in the early 20th century by Kodak. It was extensively used all over the entire world by both amateurs and experienced photographers. 120 film was over time replaced by the 35mm format as the most popular film type – but at the moment 120 film is going through something of a small revival.

As a reaction to the constantly increasing digitalization in the world, the retro movement has grown stronger during the last years. As a result of that, analog photography has come back into fashion. A primary reason for the increasing popularity of 120 film is certainly the success of Lomography – an Austrian enterprise specialized in selling simple, lo-fi cameras and other analog photography gadgets.

Features of the medium format

The main characteristic of 120 film is that it generates square shaped images, commonly in the size of 6×6 centimeters. There is certainly something special about the square shaped format that gives your images a notably harmonious feel. From one single roll you normally obtain 12 photographs.

The key benefits of 120 film are that you get sharper details and less grain compared to regular the 35 mm format. Images of significantly higher resolution can be produced. The reason for this is that the film surface is almost four times bigger than 35mm film. The larger sized format also makes it possible for far better control of the depth of field.

Several types of 120 film

There exist two different sorts of 120 film: The most widespread type is negative film (print film). The second one is positive film (slide film). Negative film is either colour or black & white. Positive film is typically colour.

Two good things with positive film is that you get higher contrasts and decreased visible grain in comparison to ordinary negative film. If you decide to cross process slide film, you will get truly interesting images with extremely high contrasts and over saturated colors.

In case you like creative and experimental photography, there are some 120 films you surely should think about trying: red scale film (nice warm shades of red), infrared film (captures infrared light!), slide film (if cross processed) and high speed film (with loads of old-fashioned grain).

Getting started

If you may not be yet in possesion of a medium format camera, purchase one right away! It doesn’t need to be pricey. There are lots of cheap but awesome lo-fi cameras available from Lomography for example. Two of their most appreciated cameras are the Holga and the Diana.

If you are more experienced photographer then you may want to consider something more high quality. For instance a Mamiya or Hasselblad. The last mentioned was actually the camera being used during the first moon landing; and that tells you something about the sophistication, and the price, of this camera.

About the Author

Learn more about my favourite films and cameras and how you can buy them, on Buy 120 Film.
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