The Fundamental Differences Between 35mm and 120
There are a lot of factors that go into the choice between 35mm and 120 shooting but often simple things like the aesthetic value of the camera and just “liking the look” better are why people choose one format over the other. When we look at 120 vs 35mm side by side we can see the difference in things like image quality, size, tonal range, etc. but it can be heard to articulate these difference beyond just liking the look of one more. Let’s break down some key differentiators between the two formats and why you may want to select one over the other.
Image Quality
Medium Format:
Technical Info: The larger film size in medium format photography typically means a higher resolution, finer grain, and greater detail in the final image, due to the increased surface area capturing more visual information. This is particularly noticeable when images are enlarged for prints.
Pros: Outstanding image quality with exceptional detail and clarity, again, especially noticeable in large prints. The larger film area allows for finer grain, contributing to a smoother appearance in images and enhanced tonal gradations.
Cons: This high-quality output can come with with increased film and processing costs. Luckily at Nice, both medium format and 35mm rolls are dev’d and scanned for $9.99. However it can be hard to justify paying high prices for 120 rolls when most medium format film cameras only shoot 10 frames/roll.
35mm Film Cameras:
Technical Info: While 35mm film offers good resolution and quality sufficient for many professional and amateur purposes, the smaller film size compared to medium format means a denser grain structure and less detail when images are significantly enlarged.
Pros: High-end 35mm film cameras are highly versatile and capable of producing high-quality images, especially with professional-grade film stocks. The format is well-suited to a wide range of photography, from casual shooting to professional work where extreme enlargement is not often required.
Cons: The finer details and smoother tonal transitions achievable with medium format may be lacking, particularly in large-scale prints or when scrutinizing the film at a high magnification. The smaller negative size can also result in more pronounced grain, affecting the perceived sharpness and smoothness of images. However, this grain structure is sometimes the appeal of 35mm as many photographers don’t like their images looking too smooth or grain free because they feel these qualities are what define film.
35mm (left) vs. 120
Depth of Field
Medium Format:
Technical Info: The larger film size results in a shallower depth of field compared to 35mm, for the same field of view and aperture.
Pros: This allows for more pronounced subject isolation and bokeh, making it ideal for portraits and fine art photography where this effect is desired.
Cons: Achieving deep focus (everything in focus) requires stopping down the aperture, which can necessitate longer exposures or higher ISO settings, potentially impacting image quality.
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35mm:
Technical Info: Offers a deeper depth of field at equivalent aperture settings compared to medium format, which can be advantageous in various shooting conditions.
Pros: Easier to achieve deep focus, beneficial for landscapes, street photography, and other genres where a broad depth of field is desired.
Cons: Less pronounced subject isolation compared to medium format, which might require wider apertures to achieve a similar effect, potentially impacting image sharpness.
Dynamic Range
Medium Format:
Technical Info: The larger film area of medium format cameras allows for greater dynamic range, capturing a wider spectrum of highlights and shadows. This is due to the larger physical size of the film, which can accommodate more information per frame.
Pros: 120 film has an exceptional ability to retain detail in both the brightest highlights and the darkest shadows, making it highly suitable for high-contrast scenes. This attribute is particularly beneficial in landscape and fine art photography, where nuanced tonal gradations are crucial and darkroom printing may be required.
Cons: The benefits of the increased dynamic range might be less noticeable in uniformly lit conditions or when images are not intended for large-scale prints or extensive post-processing. Keep in mind the most information is retained when the negative is properly exposed. Medium format can be difficult and frustrating for amateur photographers because underexposing is more noticeable and typically lest aesthetically pleasing on medium format.
35mm:
Technical Info: While 35mm film overall has a good dynamic range, it is generally more limited compared to medium format due to the smaller size of the film. The dynamic range of 35mm film can vary significantly depending on the film stock used, with some films offering better performance in this aspect than others. Things like expiration of the film, storage conditions, exposure, and lens quality all effect dynamic range.
Pros: 35mm offers a good balance of dynamic range suitable for a variety of photography styles, including street, documentary, and portrait photography. Certain high-quality film stocks (like Portra 400) are praised for their dynamic range and tonal quality, which can be very appealing for specific artistic visions.
Cons: The smaller negative size limits the amount of light information that can be captured, potentially resulting in lost detail in shadows or highlights in very high-contrast situations. This might necessitate more careful exposure control and lighting considerations during shooting to maximize the film's dynamic range.
35mm vs 120 size comparison via: thedarkroom
Lens Selection and Accessories
Medium Format:
Technical Info: Medium format systems, due to their specialized nature and smaller market, typically have a more limited selection of lenses and accessories. However, the lenses available are often of very high optical quality, designed to resolve the fine detail that medium format film can capture.
Pros: Lenses are engineered for exceptional sharpness, minimal distortion, and superior optical performance to match the high resolution of medium format film. This is crucial for professional applications where image quality isn’t something that can be compromised.
Cons: The specialized lens lineup can be more expensive and offer less variety compared to 35mm systems. Additionally, the availability of accessories like filters, hoods, etc. might be more limited, potentially impacting versatility and experimentation.
35mm Film Cameras:
Technical Info: The 35mm film format benefits from a vast and diverse ecosystem of lenses and accessories, cultivated over many decades of photographic ingenuity. This includes a wide range of focal lengths, apertures, and lens types, from vintage to modern optics.
Pros: A broad selection of lenses are available, accommodating a wide variety of photographic styles and budgets. This variety allows you to experiment with different optical characteristics, such as bokeh, sharpness, and focal lengths. The extensive accessory market further enhances the system's flexibility, enabling creative techniques and convenience. With 35mm you can achieve the exact look you want and play with your style due to endless body/lens combinations.
Cons: While the lens variety is a significant advantage, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming, and the quality can vary widely depending on the lens's age, brand, and design. It’s easy to get trapped in a consumer hole with 35mm lenses because there is always something new or better to try. With medium format it’s much easier to stick with one or two lenses and create a style from limited options.
35mm lens variations
Darkroom Printing and Post-Processing
Medium Format:
Technical Info: The larger negatives of medium format film provide a rich source of detail and tonal range, ideal for darkroom printing. This allows for enlargements with minimal loss of quality, preserving the nuances of the original scene with insane accuracy.
Pros: The size and quality of medium format negatives facilitate high-quality prints with deep blacks, bright whites, and a broad spectrum of grays. The larger film size can be more forgiving during the enlargement process, resulting in prints with finer grain and sharper detail. It can also be easier to correct and reprint 120 negatives due to their large size.
Cons: Working with medium format film in the darkroom can be more challenging and time-consuming due to the larger size of the negatives. The process requires more chemicals, larger trays, and potentially more sophisticated enlargers, increasing the overall complexity and cost of darkroom printing. Most community darkrooms are equipped with 35mm enlargement lenses but not all darkrooms will have an 80mm or 105mm enlargement lens that are ideal for 120 printing.
35mm Film Cameras:
Technical Info: While 35mm film is more compact and less detailed than medium format, it remains a popular choice for darkroom enthusiasts due to its accessibility and the vast selection of film stocks available. The smaller negatives can still produce extremely high-quality prints, especially when working with high-resolution film and meticulous printing techniques.
Pros: The widespread use of 35mm film has led to a wealth of knowledge and resources for developing and printing, making it an excellent entry point for those new to darkroom work. The process is generally more straightforward and less resource-intensive than medium format, making it more accessible for home darkrooms. Things like contact sheets are typically made from 35mm negatives and using 35mm for printing is great way to learn the process end to end, giving you more frames and variables to work with.
Cons: The smaller size of 35mm negatives can limit the enlargement potential before grain and loss of detail become noticeable. Achieving high-quality large prints requires careful shooting, precise exposure control, and skilled darkroom techniques to maximize the film's capabilities.
Having gone over the technical details, let’s end with some subjective reasoning. I’ve used both medium format and 35mm cameras extensively, so my thoughts are this: Medium format is most suited for studio work where it can bring out the detail in singular isolated subjects. This way you can have a tripod and don’t have to worry about messing up long exposures and camera shake. Lighter medium format cameras (Like the Mamiya series) can be good for street and documentary, as they are more mobile and prove to be quite a bit more discrete. If you want to practice being methodical, slowing down, and remaining highly selective with your frames, medium format is the choice for you. If you are unsure of your style, and want to experiment more go with a 35mm camera. There is absolutely no question 35mm film cameras are more versatile. You can customize your setup and keep it budget friendly while being able to choose from a wide selection of film stocks, not just pro film stocks. Medium format cameras are prone to breaking and remain a bit more delicate than 35mm cameras in my experience. This makes them a very hard camera to start with even though they may be more aesthetically appealing.
Have a thought about the difference between the two? Share in the comments and be sure to visit nicefilmclub.com for all your development and scanning needs.
