120 vs 35mm Film: A Guide for Film Photographers
When it comes to film photography, the two most popular formats are 120 and 35mm. Each format offers its own unique advantages, making it essential to understand the differences to know when to choose one over the other. In this blog, we’ll compare the two formats by size, versatility, and specific use cases to help you decide which is best for your next photography project. If you’re just starting out shooting film this will be a great guide to understanding these quintessential formats.
Format Differences: 120 vs 35mm
Let’s start with the basics, what separates these formats formats from each other? The primary distinction between 120 and 35mm film lies in their physical size.
35mm Film: Commonly used by photographers of all levels, 35mm is the standard film format, measuring 36x24mm per frame. It’s available in 24 or 36 exposures per roll and is widely known for its convenience and flexibility.
120 Film: Also known as medium format, 120 film offers a much larger negative size, varying from 6x4.5cm to 6x9cm or even 6x17cm, depending on the film camera. This larger frame size captures more detail and depth than 35mm, but the trade off is fewer exposures per roll, typically ranging from 8 to 16 shots.
In essence, 120 film gives you higher image resolution and more detail, while 35mm offers greater speed and ease of use with more exposures. This is a very simplified explanation, in reality lots of different variables affect film quality but this is a good jumping off point to start understanding the differences between the formats.
Resolution and Image Quality
35mm Film: While the smaller negative of 35mm film naturally limits its resolution compared to medium format, it’s still capable of producing professional quality images. 35mm has been the choice for countless professional photographers in genres such as street, documentary, and sports photography, where quick reactions and mobility are key. The film is often praised for its grain, dynamic range, and versatility in both color and black and white stocks. With modern scanning techniques large digital prints can maintain excellent detail.
120 Film: The larger negative size of 120 film gives it a significant edge in terms of image detail and dynamic range. This makes medium format the go to choice for landscape, portrait, and fashion photographers who need the highest possible image quality, especially for large prints. The larger surface area allows more light to be captured, which translates into richer colors, smoother tonal transitions, and a more pronounced three dimensionality in the image.
A common misconception is that 35mm is for the amateur while 120 is for the professional. While medium format vs. 35mm presents a clear distinction in resolution, 35mm film is by no means inferior for professional photography. When these formats are compared 35mm excels in fast paced environments where flexibility and quick shooting are paramount, while 120 film offers more depth and detail for controlled or fine art projects. Both these formats can be used for serious work depending on your photographic needs.
Portability and Speed
35mm Film: One of the biggest advantages of 35mm film is no doubt its portability. The smaller film camera bodies and lenses make it perfect for travel, street photography, and documentary work. You can carry multiple rolls of film, easily reload on the go, and shoot quickly in fast paced environments. This is why many professional street photographers like Henri Cartier Bresson and Garry Winogrand exclusively used 35mm cameras to capture candid, fleeting moments that ended up defining their wok
120 Film: Medium format cameras tend to be bulkier and heavier, which can make them less convenient for travel or fast paced photography. However, the slower shooting process can actually benefit photographers who want to take a more deliberate approach to composition and exposure. Medium format forces you to slow down and focus more on each frame, which can lead to more thoughtful, high quality images.
Although 120mm vs. 35mm cameras differ in size and speed, 35mm film has proven itself to be just as capable for professional photography. It is especially favored by professionals who value speed and portability, while 120 film is ideal when image quality is prioritized over the need for fast shooting.
Depth of Field and Subject Isolation
35mm Film: Due to the smaller negative size, 35mm film generally has a deeper depth of field compared to medium format. This means that more of the scene is in focus, which can be advantageous when shooting street photography, documentary work, or any situation where you want more of your environment to be sharp. However, achieving strong subject isolation with a blurry background (bokeh) on 35mm film can be more challenging, particularly with wide angle lenses. Film cameras like Leica’s can easily achieve this kind of drastic subject isolation when stopped down but this requires a great camera body and lens, which come at a high price.
120 Film: One of the major advantages of 120 film is its ability to produce a shallower depth of field, even at narrower apertures. The larger negative size allows for more pronounced subject isolation, making medium format ideal for portraiture or situations where you want your subject to pop from the background. This dreamy bokeh is a signature look for medium format and often one of the primary reasons photographers opt for 120mm vs. 35mm film when shooting portraits or fine art.
If you’re aiming for a sharper, more “all encompassing” focus in your images, 35mm film is a great choice, especially for genres like street or landscape photography. However, if you’re looking for a shallower depth of field and strong subject isolation, 120 film excels, particularly in portrait or artistic contexts where bokeh and separation are key to the image's impact.
Aspect Ratios and Compositional Flexibility
One of the most important creative tools for you as a photographer to consider is aspect ratio: the relationship between the width and height of an image. It affects the overall composition, how a scene is framed, and the way subjects are presented within the photo. 35mm film and 120 film offer different aspect ratios, each with its own strengths and uses. This flexibility in format is a key difference between 120mm vs. 35mm film, and understanding these ratios can greatly impact the storytelling and overall visual coherency of your images.
35mm Film: The Classic 3:2 Ratio
35mm film has a fixed aspect ratio of 3:2, which is the same format used in most DSLR and mirrorless digital cameras. This ratio is a versatile choice for a wide range of photography genres, from landscapes to street and documentary photography. It is naturally wide, allowing for more horizontal space in the frame, which makes it particularly suitable for capturing scenes with multiple elements or for emphasizing leading lines in the composition. This is why many people find it easier to start with 35mm when switching from a digital camera to film.
Strengths of the 3:2 Ratio in 35mm:
Natural Fit for Landscapes: The wider frame of 3:2 lends itself well to landscape photography, allowing you to capture more of the horizon or environmental context without feeling too confined.
Dynamic for Action: The 3:2 aspect ratio is well suited for capturing action or candid moments, where subjects are often moving through the frame. It provides ample space to lead the viewer's eye through the image and more chances to capture the entirety of the scene.
Ease of Use: Since the 3:2 ratio is so commonly used in both film and digital formats, many photographers are already familiar with its strengths. It also translates well to standard print sizes (like 4x6 or 8x12), making it easy to frame or display your photos after printing.
Limitations of 3:2:
Less Compositional Freedom: Because 35mm film cameras only offer the 3:2 ratio, there’s limited room to experiment with other formats like square or panoramic without cropping in post production. Cropping, however, reduces the image's resolution and can impact the overall quality, especially if you plan to enlarge your prints.
120 Film: Multiple Aspect Ratios for Greater Creative Freedom
One of the main advantages of 120 film is the variety of aspect ratios it supports, which gives you significantly more creative control over how you compose your images. Depending on the camera, 120 film can be shot in several formats, including:
6x4.5 (4:3 ratio): This format provides a balance between rectangular framing and medium format detail, giving you a slightly wider frame than 35mm but with more depth and resolution.
6x6 (1:1 ratio): The square format is one of the most iconic features of 120 film, made famous by cameras like the Hasselblad and Rolleiflex. Square compositions create a unique symmetry and balance in the image, often seen in portraiture, fashion, and fine art photography.
6x7 or 6x9 (7:6 and 3:2 ratios): These formats offer an even larger negative than 6x6 or 6x4.5 and are especially popular for landscape and portrait photographers who want to maximize the image's detail without sacrificing framing flexibility.
Panoramic formats (6x12, 6x17): These ultra wide aspect ratios are perfect for expansive landscapes or architectural photography, offering a cinematic feel that captures sweeping vistas in a single frame.
Strengths of Medium Format Aspect Ratios in 120 Film:
Square Format (6x6): The 1:1 aspect ratio of medium format square photography provides a perfect balance within the frame, drawing attention equally to all corners of the image. This format eliminates the need for deciding whether a subject fits better in a vertical or horizontal frame, allowing the subject to stand out naturally. It’s particularly popular in portrait photography, as it offers a formal, classic look without the potential distractions of asymmetry.
6x7 Format (7:6 Ratio): Often referred to as the “ideal format” by many photographers, 6x7 offers a balance between the rectangular format of 35mm and the additional negative space of medium format. It’s perfect for those who want the depth of 120 film while maintaining a familiar composition style. The extra resolution makes it ideal for commercial, fashion, or fine art work, where every detail counts.
Panoramic Formats: For photographers interested in landscapes, architecture, or creative storytelling, panoramic aspect ratios like 6x12 or 6x17 offer you a dramatic, wide perspective that can capture an entire scene in breathtaking detail. Panoramic photography is great for emphasizing a sense of scale, making the viewer feel immersed in the environment.
Limitations of Medium Format Ratios:
Less Versatile for Candid or Action Photography: Due to the size and bulk of many medium format cameras, plus the fewer exposures per roll, shooting candid moments or fast-moving subjects is more challenging compared to 35mm film.
Heavier Focus on Composition: With multiple aspect ratios to choose from, 120 film requires more deliberate framing and composition. This slower process can be a benefit for fine art or studio work, but it might slow you down if you’re a photographer who prefer the spontaneity of shooting quickly.
While the technical differences between medium format vs. 35mm are clear, it’s important to recognize that both formats have a long history of being used by professional photographers across various genres. Whether you're shooting fast paced street photography or carefully composed portraits, the choice between 120mm vs. 35mm comes down to your specific project needs and artistic goals. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each format will help you make the most out of your film photography experience. Be sure to visit nicefilmclub where we develop and scan both formats!
