The professional alternative to 35mm film always was 120 film. Pros use it in medium-format cameras such as Bronicas, Mamiyas and Hasselblads. At the other end, low-end plastic camera users also make use of 120 film for their artsy work with Holgas and Dianas. The film produces a 2.25-by-2.25-inch square negative in most cameras, although the Pentax 645 produces a slightly smaller rectangular image.
Instructions
1. Buy the 120 film that's right for what you want to photograph. Since 120 film is made for professional photographers, there are many different color negative, color slide and black-and-white negative types available. If you don't develop film yourself, you might want to choose black-and-white film that can be developed at your local store, such as Ilford XP-2 or Kodak CN. Check with the store first to make certain the processor can handle the bigger film.
2. Think square. No longer is there a horizontal or vertical way to shoot film--unless you are shooting with the Pentax 645--so compose your images for the square format. Because the film is bigger, you will get more in your image. You might want to move in, especially when photographing people.
3. Use multiple film types. If you have a medium-format camera with different film backs, you can switch from color slide to black-and-white to color negative film mid-roll. Simply insert the dark slide into the film back, take the film back off the camera and switch to another back loaded with another type of film. This will give you multiple shooting possibilities at your site.
4. Preload as many film backs as possible. The slowest thing about 120 film is that it takes some time to load in any camera. Unlike a 35mm film cartridge, 120 film comes on a roll and you must manually thread it across the back of the camera or from one end of the film back to the other. This is the reason most professional photographers used to employ assistants; it was so they could load film backs while the pro shot images. Be sure to mark each film back as to film type before going on the shoot. Later Hasselblad and other film backs have a place where you can put the end of the box the film came in so you can see what you are shooting.
5. Develop it yourself. Get a 120 film reel and canister, black-and-white chemicals and develop the film. It doesn't take long. You then can scan the negatives or slides into your computer if you don't have a full darkroom setup. The scanned images will be superior to most digital images.
Tags: film back, film backs, film that, 35mm film, back camera, color negative, color slide