Introduction To Medium format Photography
Medium format cameras produce much larger
images than 35mm cameras. This allows less enlargements resulting in sharper, less grain,
and more saturated colors. With interchangeable film magazines you can shoot different
types of film at the same time which is much easier than carrying a second camera body.
With Polaroid backs you can test a shot for exposure on instant film. Larger
transparencies are more impressive than 35mm. This is a major advantage if you want to
sell your pictures. A photo buyer given the choice between a 35mm and a larger
transparency of the same image will almost always go with the larger one. Because of their
larger size, huge blowups and double page spreads can be made with great detail with no
grain visible. There are several formats to choose from. The most popular ones are 6X4.5cm
(2 1/4x 15/8-inch), 6X6( 2 1/4x2 1/4-inch), 6X7 (2 1/4x 2 3/4-inch). A few 6x9 (2 1/4x 3
1/4-inch) plus panoramic formats are also available. They all use 120 and 220 roll films.
How many images you get per each roll depends on the format you are using. On a 120 film
you get 15 exposures with 645 cameras, 12 with 6x6, 10 with 6x7 and 8 exposures with 6x9.
Double those numbers for the longer 220 films. The major draw backs to medium format is
the size and weight of the cameras and they cost much more than a 35mm. Lenses are also
very high in price and are much slower and larger than 35mm lenses. You don't have many
choices in choosing a lens as most manufacturers offer only one type for each focal length
and there are no independent lens makers. 35mm SLR's when compared to medium format
provide convenience, auto features, larger selection of lenses including zooms, and cost a
lot less. Film also costs less per each frame . Medium format cameras are much slower to
operate. This however, can be to your advantage as they force you to slow down which
enables you to pay closer attention to details.
I have been using medium format for eight years. I never forget the first time I saw my
images. They were so impressive that they made my 35mm look ridiculous. I use my medium
format whenever possible. They are excellent for landscape, portrait, architectural even
wildlife.
645 Cameras
645 cameras also known as ideal format are smaller in size and handle much like a 35mm. They are very popular as their rectangular frame corresponds to standard printing paper sizes such as 8X10 or 16X20. They produce images 21/2X larger than 35mm cameras. This is the only medium format in which autofocus models are available.
6X6 Cameras
6X6 format also known as the square format produces 3X larger transparencies and negatives than 35 mm. Photographers moving up to this format may find it difficult to compose their pictures in square format as they are used to seeing and photographing in rectangular proportions, while long time 6X6 users see nothing unusual about it. Square formats gives cropping options which many photographers and photo buyers prefer. You must pay attention when composing within a square viewfinder as the final image must be cropped. This is a draw back to some photographers. Tightly composed pictures will be cut off so make sure to allow room for cropping. Below is a list of models that are available.
6X7 Cameras
6X7 format is also considered ideal format as it also corresponds to the standard printing paper sizes. It produces 4X larger images than 35 mm cameras and with today's sharper films this format can even challenge 4X5 large format cameras. It has become the choice of many professional photographers wanting larger transparencies or negatives in a camera that can be taken out of the studio. Bronica, Mamiya, and Pentax offer the most popular models.