120 Roll Film (Medium Format / ISO 732) vs. 8×10 Ultra-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).
8×10 Sheet Film (standardized under ISO 1010) is the pinnacle of ultra-large format analog photography, measuring 7.90 × 9.90 inches (200.5 × 251.5 mm nominal) with a gargantuan 50,425 mm² negative surface area (~58.4× larger than 35mm full frame). Famous for direct contact printing with zero enlargement grain in platinum/palladium and silver gelatin printing.
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
|
— | 7.90 × 9.90 in (200.5 × 251.5 mm ± 0.8 mm) |
|
Active Negative Area
|
— | Approx. 50,425 mm² (~58.36× the surface area of 35mm full frame) |
|
Contact Printing Standard
|
— | Negatives are contact-printed 1:1 directly onto silver gelatin or platinum/palladium paper without an enlarger lens |
|
Resolution Potential
|
— | Estimated 300 to 500+ megapixels equivalent resolving power under fine-grain developer |
|
Legendary Practitioners
|
— | Ansel Adams (Group f/64), Edward Weston, Nicholas Nixon, Alec Soth |
|
Camera Systems
|
— | Deardorff 8×10, Sinar 8×10, Wisner 8×10, Chamonix 810V, Canham 8×10 |