120 Roll Film (Medium Format / ISO 732) vs. 220 Roll Film (Double-Length Medium Format)
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 11 key differences identified.
120 Film (standardized under ISO 732, introduced by Kodak in 1901 for the Brownie No. 2) is the universal medium format roll film standard, featuring a 61.5 mm wide unperforated film strip attached to continuous light-tight backing paper wound on a plastic/metal spool. Capturing multiple frame formats including 6×4.5 cm (16 exp), 6×6 cm (12 exp), 6×7 cm (10 exp), and 6×9 cm (8 exp).
220 Film (standardized under ISO 732, introduced in 1965) is a double-length medium format roll film that yields twice the exposures of 120 film (24 exposures at 6×6 cm, 20 exposures at 6×7 cm). By eliminating the backing paper along the body of the film (retaining paper only at the black leader and trailer), twice as much film fits onto the same 25mm spool.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Film Strip Width
|
61.5 ± 0.5 mm (2.42 in) | 61.5 ± 0.5 mm |
|
Total Film Strip Length
|
Approx. 820 mm (32.3 in) taped to backing paper | Approx. 1650 mm (65.0 in — double the length of 120 film) |
|
Spool Flange Diameter
|
25.2 mm (Keyed end drive slot for camera winding mechanisms) | — |
|
6×4.5 cm Frame Yield (56 × 41.5 mm)
|
15 or 16 exposures per roll (Mamiya 645, Pentax 645, Bronica ETR) | — |
|
6×6 cm Square Yield (56 × 56 mm)
|
12 exposures per roll (Hasselblad 500C/M, Rolleiflex TLR, Mamiya C330) | — |
|
6×7 cm Ideal Format (56 × 70 mm)
|
10 exposures per roll (Mamiya RB67/RZ67, Pentax 67, Plaubel Makina 67) | — |
|
6×9 cm Broad Format (56 × 84 mm)
|
8 exposures per roll (Fuji GW690 'Texas Leica', technical cameras) | — |
|
Backing Paper Structure
|
— | Leader and trailer paper only (no backing paper behind the active emulsion) |
|
6×6 cm Frame Yield
|
— | 24 exposures (vs 12 on 120 film) |
|
6×7 cm Frame Yield
|
— | 20 exposures (vs 10 on 120 film) |
|
6×4.5 cm Frame Yield
|
— | 30 to 32 exposures |
|
Pressure Plate Setting
|
— | Requires flipping the camera pressure plate to '220' position (compensates for missing paper thickness to prevent focal shift) |