220 Roll Film (Double-Length Medium Format) vs. 8×10 Ultra-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.
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 | — |
|
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
|
— | 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 |