How to Buy 120mm Film for Your Medium Format Camera
If you are a fan of medium format photography, you might be wondering how to buy 120mm film for your camera. 120mm film, also known as 120 film or 120 roll film, is a type of film that is used in medium format cameras that produce images with a size of 6 x 4.5 cm, 6 x 6 cm, 6 x 7 cm, 6 x 8 cm, or 6 x 9 cm. Unlike 35mm film, which comes in a cassette, 120 film comes in a roll that is wrapped around a spool and protected by a paper backing.
Buying 120mm film can be a bit tricky, especially if you are new to medium format photography. There are many factors to consider, such as the type of film, the ISO speed, the color or black and white preference, the availability, and the price. In this article, we will guide you through the process of buying 120mm film for your medium format camera and give you some tips and recommendations on where to find the best deals.
Type of Film
The first thing you need to decide when buying 120mm film is what type of film you want to use. There are three main types of film: color negative, color positive (also known as slide or transparency), and black and white. Each type has its own characteristics and advantages depending on your style and preference.
- Color negative film is the most common and versatile type of film. It produces a negative image that can be scanned or printed on paper. Color negative film has a wide exposure latitude, which means it can handle overexposure or underexposure better than other types of film. It also has a natural and realistic color rendition that can be adjusted during post-processing. Color negative film is suitable for most lighting conditions and subjects.
- Color positive film is also known as slide or transparency film. It produces a positive image that can be viewed directly on a lightbox or projected on a screen. Color positive film has a narrow exposure latitude, which means it requires precise exposure metering and settings. It also has a vivid and saturated color rendition that can create stunning images with high contrast and sharpness. Color positive film is suitable for bright and sunny conditions and subjects that require high color accuracy.
- Black and white film is the classic and timeless type of film. It produces a monochrome image that can be scanned or printed on paper. Black and white film has a wide exposure latitude, which means it can handle overexposure or underexposure better than color film. It also has a rich tonal range and contrast that can create dramatic and artistic images with different moods and expressions. Black and white film is suitable for any lighting condition and subject.
ISO Speed
The next thing you need to decide when buying 120mm film is what ISO speed you want to use. ISO speed is a measure of how sensitive the film is to light. The higher the ISO speed, the more sensitive the film is, and vice versa. The ISO speed affects the amount of light you need to expose the film properly, as well as the graininess and sharpness of the image.
- Low ISO speed (50-200) is ideal for bright and sunny conditions or when using a tripod or flash. Low ISO speed produces fine grain and high sharpness, but requires more light to expose the film properly.
- Medium ISO speed (400-800) is ideal for cloudy or indoor conditions or when using handheld shooting or fast shutter speeds. Medium ISO speed produces moderate grain and good sharpness, but requires less light to expose the film properly.
- High ISO speed (1600-3200) is ideal for dark or low-light conditions or when using creative effects such as motion blur or depth of field. High ISO speed produces coarse grain and low sharpness, but requires very little light to expose the film properly.
Color or Black and White Preference
The final thing you need to decide