While digital sensors have essentially surpassed 35mm film, 120/220 film is a great way to try out medium format without paying the price for digital medium format. This awesome video will give you a comprehensive rundown of the look of each film so you can choose what's right for you.
Coming to you from Jay P. Morgan of The Slanted Lens, this great video examines a multitude of medium format films shot in similar conditions, so you can evaluate which one has the look you desire. Here's the complete list of films featured in the video:
- Fujifilm Acros 100
- Ilford Delta 100
- Ilford FP4 125
- Kodak TMAX 100
- Ilford Delta 400
- Ilford HP5 400
- Ilford XP2 Super 400
- Kodak TMAX 400
- Kodak Tri-X 400
- Ilford Delta 3200
- Kodak Portra 160
- Kodak Ektar 100
- CineStill 50D
- Fujifilm Pro 400H
- Kodak Portra 400
- Kodak Portra 800
- CineStill 800 Tungsten
If you're looking to get into film, this is a great way to see the different looks and responses each offers. As mentioned, it's also an excellent way to try out medium format, as the best medium format film cameras and glass of yesteryear can be had relatively cheaply these days. I still shoot with my Fuji GW690 III and absolutely love the experience and look of medium format film. Pick a film and try it out for yourself!
I don't know because I only shoot 120, but I have seen it. Search on eBay
Or any film under ISO 100
Awesome comparisons! I have so much film to get developed this was a good reminder to send it out.
great comparison love the clean easy to follow commentary.
Just wondering why you didn't use any slide films like Extar or the Fuji velvia or provia?
Why no slide?
Thanks for the recommendation of CineStill films!
"While digital sensors have essentially surpassed 35mm film, 120/220 film is a great way to try out medium format without paying the price for digital medium format."
Digital sensors have also surpassed medium format film. I noted this at the Fuji booth at Photo Plus where the hanging photos from their XT APS sized sensors easily had more resolution than their medium format film examples. If you want to play with medium format depth of field, that's another story.
Written in 2016:http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2016/03...
"Image quality is a multidimensional thing, some of which can be quantified and some not. Still, by no measure of image quality does a good Micro 4/3 camera and lens perform more poorly than a good medium format film rig, and by some measures it performs considerably better. My overall subjective evaluation is that the aggregate image quality of Micro 4/3 today, in film terms, falls midway between 6x7 medium format and 4x5-inch large format."
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https://www.onlandscape.co.uk/2014/12/36-megapixels-vs-6x7-velvia/
Comprehensive for the main three brands, if anyone is curious here is a list of films available in 120 not covered in the video.
Black & White: Adox CMS 20 II, Adox CHS 100 II, Agfa Codex Rapid, Fomapan 100/200/400, Ilford Pan F+, Ilford SFX 200, Lomography Earl Grey 100, Lomography Lady Grey 400, Rollei ATP, Infrared 400, Ortho 25, Retro 80s/400s, RPX 25/100/400, Superpan 200, Ultrafine Xtreme 100/400, Bergger Panchro 400 and JCH Streepan 400
Colour Negative: Fuji Pro 160NS, Lomography Color Negative 100/400/800, Rollei Digibase CN 200
Color Slide: Fuji Provia 100F, Velvia 50/100, Rollei Digibase CR200
I don't think Adox is available in 120. It also requires its own developer. Would be interested in hearing more about it. See https://www.freestylephoto.biz/.
I shot Adox CMS 20 II in 120 a couple of years ago. Still available, and can be developed in Rodinal if you don't want to use their developer.