Ultra Large Format

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Ultra Large Format (ULF) photography refers to photography using cameras producing negatives larger than 8x10" (20x25cm).

The ULF photography 'movement' has known a revival in the last few years, and is still expanding, along with film photography which, despite the very large market share of digital photography, still has many practitioners.

[edit] Origins

In the 19th century and early 20th century, photographic materials were not sensitive enough to light to allow for enlarging. All prints were contact prints, which meant a large negative was needed if one wanted a large picture. This can only be achieved by using a large camera.

[edit] Advantages

  • The sheer size of the negative allows for very precise detail reproduction.
  • Large negatives can be used to make contact prints, which is a method used with many alternative photographic processes.
  • Images produced have a presence that is difficult to obtain through any other means - mostly the quality of a contact print instead of enlargement

[edit] Trade-Offs

  • Very heavy and costly cameras
  • Costly lenses with image coverage for large film sizes
  • Film holders are custom built by fine wood workers - very costly
  • High cost of film - most films must be special cut
  • Cumbersome manipulation, which slows down the photographic process significantly
  • Absence of international standards for film holders beyond 11" x 14" (30cm x 40cm) - this is rarely an issue as film holders are custom built to match cameras.
  • Note that 14" x 17" - the size of X-Ray and MRI films - is indeed an international standard.

[edit] External links

  • Mamut Photo, a website talking about Ultra-Large format photography
  • APUG.ORG, an international community of like minded individuals devoted to traditional (non-digital) photographic processes. Site contains many discussion forums including an Ultra Large Format Forum.
  • Fotostudio-Arton, an experimental digital large format camera.
  • Going Ultra, the chronicle of a journey into contemporary ULF photography.
  • In The Land Of Giants, an article on three modern lenses typically used in ULF Photography.


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