A Little Film Format Guide
Welcome to our ‘Film Format Guide,’ designed to provide you with a visual understanding of the distinct characteristics each film format carries.
Before we jump into details, here’s basic comparison of the formats that we usually use:
Medium Format (6×7)—Magazine-style elegance. 10 shots per roll. The smoothest and cleanest look—perfect for timeless portraits with rich detail and soft, creamy tones.
35mm Film—Classic and romantic. 36 shots per roll. A warm, slightly textured feel—like an old movie. Great for capturing emotion with just the right amount of nostalgia.
Polaroid SX-70—Instant magic. 1 shot at a time. Soft focus and dreamy imperfections make every frame feel like a little work of art—grainy in the loveliest way.
Half-Frame (H35)—Playful and spontaneous 72 shots per roll. The most textured/grainy look of the bunch—lo-fi, fun, and full of character. Perfect for candid, real moments.
Medium Format
(6×7 Negative)
We start with the medium format film, an elegant storyteller that uses only 10 frames per roll. The larger film size creates images with striking sharpness and depth, akin to stepping into a still from a dream. Each shot taken on this format is a mindful pause, a detailed record of that moment in time.
You can notice the richness of the details, the profound depth of field, and the soulful tonality. It’s a medium known for breathtaking portraits and landscapes, where every subtle texture and nuanced shade is celebrated.
35 mm
Next, let’s delve into 35mm film, a classic journeyman offering 36 frames per roll. Known for its balance of quality and flexibility, this format encapsulates the spontaneous rhythm of life, capturing the world as it unfolds.
Note the distinctive grain structure, the honest color tones, and the nostalgic ambiance of these images. They reflect the beauty of unplanned moments, creating a narrative imbued with a warm sense of familiarity.
Polaroid SX-70
A format unlike any other, the Polaroid SX-70 is instant magic in your hands. Each frame is a little surprise—slow to reveal itself, but always worth the wait. With its soft focus, unpredictable chemistry, and creamy color palette, it captures moments not just as they are, but as they feel.
This format thrives on imperfection. The quirks, the odd flares, the slightly off hues—they’re not flaws, but character. A poetic reminder that some of the most beautiful things in life can’t be planned or repeated.
In the context of a wedding day, SX-70 offers more than just images—it gives you tangible memories within minutes. The format is mostly square although from time to time you can find a circular frame.
Half-Frame
(H35)
Lastly, we explore half-frame 35mm film, a playful format offering a generous 72 frames per roll. With its distinct, lo-fi aesthetic, this format brings a refreshing perspective to our visual narratives, like leafing through a visual diary of fleeting moments.
You can see that this format doesn’t take itself too seriously. The charming grain, the playful light leaks, the raw imperfections that lend each image an endearing authenticity. Half-frame 35mm is less about capturing a picture-perfect moment and more about embracing the candid, the unexpected, the everyday, and finding joy in it.
Each film format offers a unique lens through which to view our world. As you browse through this guide, let the images stir your thoughts and feelings, and may you find the format that resonates with your vision.
We’re here to help, if you have any questions or simply wish to delve deeper into the world of film photography, feel free to reach out to us.