- Medium-format cameras produce an image that is 2.7 times larger than a standard 35mm camera. 35mm film is 24x36mm; a 6x4.5 medium format is 42x55.1mm; medium format can also go larger, to 6x6 and 6x7. The 645 series medium formats are entry-level models; Mamiya and Pentax make several. These images are shot on 120 and 220 film.
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For medium-format cameras, 120 film produces 12 square (6x6) images; 645-type cameras get 16 shots, while a 6x9 format gets 8 shots. The 120 film was introduced in 1902, and works in all medium-format cameras, which will size the images differently depending on the type of camera. 120 film is comprised of a black paper roll with film taped to it; the black paper means you can load it in daylight. The paper has markings on it so the photographer can look through a window on the camera and advance the film to the proper position for shooting a picture in a 645-series camera, a 6x6, a 6x7 or a 6x9.
The 220 film eliminates the paper for a film lead and tail to get twice as many exposures, but does not work in all cameras. - Several companies, including Mamiya, have created digital backs that can fit on medium-format film cameras, converting them to digital. The backs are very expensive, often costing $5,000 or more, depending on the size of the back needed. The pixel count on these backs is very large; Hasselblad introduced a 22-megapixel medium-format camera, while Leaf released a 56-megapixel medium-format camera. These cameras produce stunning images.
