120 Roll Film (Medium Format / ISO 732) vs. 4×5 Large Format Sheet Film
Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 13 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).
4×5 Sheet Film (standardized under ISO 1010) is the benchmark large format photographic film standard, measuring exactly 3.90 × 4.90 inches (99.0 × 124.5 mm nominal for 4×5 inch film holders) with a massive 12,325 mm² active negative area (~14.3× larger than 35mm full frame). Loaded individually into dual-sided dark slides, it features edge notch codes for emulsion identification in total darkness.
Specification Comparison Table
13 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Film Strip Width
|
61.5 ± 0.5 mm (2.42 in) | — |
|
Total Film Strip Length
|
Approx. 820 mm (32.3 in) taped to backing paper | — |
|
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) | — |
|
Nominal Sheet Dimensions
|
— | 3.90 × 4.90 in (99.0 × 124.5 mm ± 0.5 mm — sized to fit standard 4×5 film holders) |
|
Active Negative Surface Area
|
— | Approx. 12,325 mm² (~14.26× the area of 35mm full frame) |
|
Sheet Loading System
|
— | Loaded individually in dual-sided Fidelity Elite / Toyo 4×5 film holders inside a darkroom or changing tent |
|
Edge Notch Code System
|
— | Die-cut triangular/curved notches in upper right corner identify film emulsion type and indicate light-sensitive side |
|
Camera Systems
|
— | View cameras (Linhof Master Technika, Sinar P2, Wista 45, Chamonix 45F-2, Intrepid 4x5) |
|
Perspective Control
|
— | Full independent Scheimpflug plane-of-focus tilts, swings, rises, and shifts on view camera standards |