Film format

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A film format is a technical definition of a set of standard characteristics regarding image capture on photographic film, for either stills or movies. It can also apply to projected film, either slides or movies. The primary characteristic of a film format is its size and shape.

In the case of motion picture film, the format may also encompass audio parameters (though often not). Other characteristics usually include the film gauge, pulldown method, lens anamorphosis (or lack thereof), and film gate or projector aperture dimensions, all of which need to be defined for photography as well as projection, as they may differ.

Contents

[edit] Movie film formats

See List of film formats

[edit] Still photography film formats

[edit] Multiple image

Designation Type Year Size and comment
101 roll film 18951956 3 1/2" × 3½"
102 roll film 18961933 1½" × 2"
103 roll film 18961949 3¾" × 4¾"
104 roll film 18971949 4¾" × 3¾"
105 roll film 18971949 2¼" × 3¼", see 120 film
106 for roll holder 18981924 3½" × 3½"
107 for roll holder 18981924 3¼" × 4¼"
108 for roll holder 18981929 4¼" × 3¼"
109 for roll holder 18981924 4" × 5"
110 for roll holder 18981929 5" × 4"
110 Instamatic cartridge 1972–Present 13 × 17 mm, see 110 film
111 for roll holder 1898–Unknown 6½" × 4¾"
112 for roll holder 18981924 7" × 5"
113 for roll holder 1898–Unknown 9 × 12 cm
114 for roll holder 1898–Unknown 12 × 9 cm
115 roll film 18981949 6¾" × 4¾"
116 roll film 18991984 2½" × 4
117 roll film 19001949 2¼" × 2¼", see 120 film
118 roll film 19001961 3¼" × 4¼"
119 roll film 19001940 4¼" × 3¼"
120 roll film 1901–Present See 120 film
121 roll film 19021941 1 5/8" × 2½"
122 roll film 19031971 3¼" × 5½", Postcard
123 roll film 19041949 4" × 5"
124 roll film 19051961 3¼" × 4¼"
125 roll film 19051949 3¼" × 5½"
126 roll film 19061949 4¼" × 6½"
126 Instamatic cartridge 19631999(1) 26.5 × 26.5 mm, see 126 film
127 roll film 19121995(2) 4 × 4 cm, see 127 film
128 roll film 19121941 1½" × 2¼"
129 roll film 19121951 1 7/8" × 3"
130 roll film 19161961 2 7/8" × 4 7/8"
135 cartridge 1934–Present See 135 film
220 roll film 1965–Present See 120 film
235 loading spool 1934–Unknown 24 × 36 mm, see 135 film
240 / APS cartridge 1996–Present See Advanced Photo System
335 stereo pairs 1952–Unknown 24 × 24 mm, for stereo pairs; see 135 film
435 loading spool 1934–Unknown 24 × 36 mm, see 135 film
616 roll film 19311984 2½" × 4¼" or 2½" × 2 1/8", see 616 film
620 roll film 19311995 See 120 film
645 format only 6 × 4.5 cm, see 120 film
828 roll film 19351985 28 × 40 mm, 35 mm wide Bantam, 8 exp.
35 roll film 19161933 1¼" × 1¾", 35 mm wide
Disc cassette 19821998 See disc film
Minox roll film 1938–Present 8 × 11 mm, 9.5 mm wide, 15 and 36 exp.
Karat cartridge 19361963 Early AGFA cartridge for 35 mm film
Rapid cartridge 19641990s AGFA cartridge for 35 mm film, 12 exp (replaced Karat, same system)
SL cartridge 19581990 Orwo Schnell-Lade Kassette for 35 mm film
K 16 cartridge 1987–Unknown Orwo, 16 mm wide, 20 exp

(1) Discontinued by major manufacturers but still produced by Ferrania.

(2) Discontinued by major manufacturers but still produced by Maco.

Unless otherwise noted, all formats were introduced by Kodak, who began allocating the number series in 1913. Before that, films were just identified by the name of the cameras they were intended for.

For roll holder means film for cartridge roll holders, allowing roll film to be used with cameras designed to use glass plates.

The primary reason there were so many different negative formats in the early days was that prints were made by contact, without use of an enlarger. The film format would thus be exactly the same as the size of the print -- so if you wanted large prints, you would have to use a large camera and corresponding film format.

[edit] Single image

Size (in inches) Type
15/8×21/8 "sixteenth-plate" tintypes
2×2½ "ninth-plate" tintypes
2×3 sheet film
2½×3½ "sixth-plate" tintypes
3×4 sheet film
31/8×41/8 "quarter-plate" tintypes
3¼×4¼ "quarter-plate" glass plates
4×5 sheet film
4¼×6½ "half-plate" glass plates
4½×5½ "half-plate" tintypes
4×10 sheet film
5×7 sheet film
7×17 sheet film
8×10 sheet film
8×20 sheet film
8½×6½ "full-plate" glass plates, tintypes
11×14 sheet film
12×20 sheet film
14×17 sheet film
16×20 sheet film
20×24 sheet film
Size (in cm) Type
6.5 × 9 sheet film
9 × 12 sheet film
10 × 15 sheet film
13 × 18 sheet film
18 × 24 sheet film
24 × 30 sheet film

[edit] Instant image

Designation Type
SX-70 Polaroid flat film cartridge with integrated battery
Type 37 Polaroid roll film cartridge
Type 47 Polaroid roll film cartridge
Type 88 Polaroid flat film cartridge
Type 100 Polaroid flat film cartridge

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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