The 5 Best Film Stocks for Medium Format Film Cameras
Why Medium Format Film is Different
Shooting 120 film on a medium format film camera isn’t just about getting a bigger negative—it fundamentally changes the way film stocks render color, contrast, and grain. The physics of light dispersion over a larger area alters things like highlight roll off, shadow depth, and even the way colors mix in chemical development. Some film stocks perform exceptionally well in 120 film, while others, optimized for 35mm, behave differently than expected.
With medium format film cameras, you get significantly finer grain due to the negative's increased surface area, but that doesn't mean all film stocks respond the same way. Some emulsions exhibit better highlight retention, others produce richer colors, and certain black and white film stocks retain deeper shadow detail in 120 film than in 35mm.
In this blog, we’ll explore five of the best film stocks for medium format film cameras, breaking down their unique performance characteristics, their chemistry, and how they interact with different development processes.
1. Kodak Portra 400: The Gold Standard of Latitude and Skin Tones
Why It Excels in Medium Format
Kodak Portra 400 has been a go to film stock for professionals for years and years due to its exceptional latitude and smooth color rendition. In 120 film, Portra 400’s T-grain structure results in an incredibly fine, almost imperceptible grain, allowing for creamy midtones and beautifully soft highlight roll offs.
Unlike in 35mm, where Portra 400 can sometimes exhibit visible grain when underexposed, medium format film cameras take full advantage of its forgiving nature, making it possible to shoot it anywhere from ISO 100 to ISO 800 and still maintain exceptional results.
Technical Insights
Grain Structure: Kodak’s T-grain technology is optimized in 120 film, yielding smoother transitions.
Push Characteristics: Pushing to ISO 800 or even 1600 enhances contrast but maintains highlight detail better than most high speed film stocks.
Dynamic Range: Estimated 12 stops, particularly strong in midtones and highlights.
Best Developer for Portra 400
C-41 Standard: Best results with Kodak Flexicolor or Fuji Hunt chemistry for clean, neutral colors.
Bleach Bypass: If you want a desaturated, high contrast look, some film labs offer this process for creative effects but this is pretty rare nowadays.
Best Uses in Medium Format
Portraits with soft, natural skin tones
Overexposed, light filled wedding and fashion photography
General purpose film photography with high exposure latitude
Sample shot by photographer evilpete via lomography.com
2. Lomography Color Negative 800: The Best Budget High Speed Color Film
Why It Stands Out in Medium Format
Lomography Color Negative 800 is often overlooked in favor of Portra 800, but in 120 film format, it performs exceptionally well. This film stock offers rich, punchy colors and a warm, nostalgic feel. Unlike Portra, which leans toward pastel hues, Lomography 800 delivers higher contrast and deeper saturation, making it ideal for dynamic, colorful compositions.
While in 35mm this film stock exhibits significant grain, medium format film cameras minimize this, resulting in an image with much smoother gradations and cleaner details, especially in the shadows.
Technical Insights
Grain: Noticeable in 35mm, but surprisingly fine in 120 film.
Push Characteristics: Pushing to ISO 1600 enhances contrast and saturation but introduces mild halation.
Color Balance: Naturally warm with strong reds and deep blues, making it excellent for artificial lighting.
Best Developer for Lomography 800
C-41 Standard: Needs careful scanning to balance the warmth and avoid excessive red saturation.
Bleach Bypass: Can create a unique, desaturated cinematic look.
Best Uses in Medium Format
Low light, high speed color photography
Cinematic, saturated cityscapes with neon lighting
Experimental film photography, especially when pushed
Sample photo via lomography.com
3. Ilford HP5: The Most Versatile Black and White Film for Medium Format
Why Medium Format Makes It Even Better
Ilford HP5+ is a classic black and white film stock known for its pushability and balanced contrast. In 120 film, the larger negative size helps control grain structure while maintaining HP5+’s beautiful tonality. Unlike in 35mm, where pushing to ISO 1600 or 3200 introduces substantial grain, medium format film cameras keep it much smoother, making it an excellent option for documentary or low light photography.
Technical Insights
Base Sensitivity: Slightly lower than true ISO 400, benefits from metering at ISO 320.
Push Characteristics: Pushing to ISO 1600 retains shadow details better in 120 film than in 35mm.
Contrast: Naturally moderate, can be increased with developers like Rodinal.
Best Developer for HP5+
Rodinal: Increases contrast and enhances micro contrast but introduces visible grain.
XTOL: Maintains smooth tonality and maximizes shadow details.
Best Uses in Medium Format
Documentary and street photography
Low light shooting with push processing
Classic, high contrast black and white looks
Sample image via cryboy on lomography.com
4. Kodak Ektar 100: The Sharpest Color Negative Film Out There
Why It’s a Game-Changer in Medium Format
Kodak Ektar 100 is arguably the sharpest color negative film stock available. While its extreme sharpness can sometimes feel clinical in 35mm, in 120 film, it achieves an incredible balance of ultra fine detail and rich, natural color. The large negative allows for silky smooth color transitions, making it ideal for landscapes and architecture film photography.
Technical Insights
Color Response: Highly saturated with deep reds and blues, perfect for vivid imagery.
Grain: Nearly nonexistent in medium format, giving digital like clarity.
Overexposure Handling: Not as forgiving as Portra; highlights can blow out if overexposed.
Best Developer for Ektar 100
C-41 Standard: Needs precise temperature control for consistent color balance.
Cross-Processing (E6): Produces unpredictable but highly saturated results.
Best Uses in Medium Format
Hyper detailed landscape and nature photography
Bright, controlled lighting conditions
Vivid color centric compositions
Sample photo by photographer big_lebowski via lomography.com
Cinestill 800T: The Best Film for Night Photography and Cinematic Halation
Why It’s Special in Medium Format
Cinestill 800T is unique due to its tungsten balance and distinctive halation effects. While in 35mm, the halation can sometimes overpower highlights, in 120 film, the larger negative reduces its intensity, resulting in a smoother, more cinematic effect. The color rendering of Cinestill 800T in medium format film cameras is really unparalleled for neon lit cityscapes and dramatic lighting conditions.
Technical Insights
Grain: Noticeable in 35mm, much cleaner in 120 film.
Halation Effect: Reduced in medium format but still present in strong highlights.
Push Characteristics: Pushes to ISO 1600 well, increasing contrast without major color shifts.
Best Uses in Medium Format
Night photography with neon lights
Cinematic style urban scenes
Experimental lighting conditions
Photos by photographer gomerama via flickr.com
Choosing the right film stock for your medium format film camera is about more than just color preference, it’s about really understanding how different emulsions interact with 120 film. Whether you’re sending your negatives to a film lab like Nice Film Club or developing at home, knowing the nuances of these film stocks will help you get the best results with your film shots!
