220 Roll Film (Double-Length Medium Format) vs. 4×5 Large Format Sheet Film
Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 13 key differences identified.
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.
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 | — |
|
Total Film Strip Length
|
Approx. 1650 mm (65.0 in — double the length of 120 film) | — |
|
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) | — |
|
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 |