When does LF become LF?

[dphill]

This might be a sophmoric question, but at what size of the negative/transparency does Medium Format become Large Format?
When the size exceeds 6x9 inches? Or does it relate to roll film vs. sheet film. I'm not going anywhere with this, but all of a sudden after 30 years of varying degrees of involvement in photography, this question pops into my head for the first time.


Just wondering,
Dan

[Dave Parker]

I have always been told and assumed it started with 3.25 x 4.25 sheet films and up, then at 11x14 it is refered to Ultra Large Format

[dphill]

When the size exceeds 6x9 inches?
Dan

I meant 6x9 cm, sorry

Dan

[Dave Parker]

I meant 6x9 cm, sorry

Dan

Of course, there is 6x12 and 6x17 formats as well, normally considered panoramics...

Dave

[Dave Parker]

J,

That don't surprise me, it is pretty amazing the different topics that can produce heated debates..



Dave

[dphill]

I had forgotten about the 6x12, 6x17, etc.

But then there are the Cirkut cameras, they use roll film....

Why do I feel like I just entered a maze of many twisted passages, all going in different directions but ending in the same place?

Dan

[claytume]

Dan

I've heard a number of people call RB 67's large format...........I never bother getting into arguments over it.........if they want to call it large format that's fine with me.

Yes if you deny roll film as large format that cancels out Cirkut cameras...........if you've ever seen a 6 foot long Cirkut neg you'd wonder why they call 8x10 large format!


Clayton

[Dave Parker]

I don't think I have ever heard anyone say roll film was a determining factor, although I would say the cirkut is a pretty specialized piece of equipment, but definately a large format, if not the ultimate panoramic!



Dave

[Soeren]

Dan

I've heard a number of people call RB 67's large format...........I never bother getting into arguments over it.........if they want to call it large format that's fine with me.

Yes if you deny roll film as large format that cancels out Cirkut cameras...........if you've ever seen a 6 foot long Cirkut neg you'd wonder why they call 8x10 large format!


Clayton

Wauv so my Pentax 6X7 is a LF camera too !!! I just have a problem with the movements. I can't find either front or back tilt
I have even heard 645 mentioned as LF but then again if people don't know better.
I would say that LF refers to filmformat ruling out rollfim and thereby panoramics. Leaving the "odd" formats (as 6.5X9 or ?) out I would consider 4X5" the smallest LF.
Cheers Søren

[nworth]

Most people think that large format means 3-1/4 X 4-1/4 or bigger, sheet film, and a camera capable of at least some adjustments. But there are 8X10 cameras that are not capable of adjustments, and few would dispute that 8X10 is large. There are also 2-1/4 X 3-1/4 sheet film cameras with adjustments. That would be medium format, but the cameras and film are handled like large format. There are also aerial cameras - no adjustments, roll film, but 5 or 9-1/2 inch negatives. Those, while big, are not usually considered to be large format. Some of the old Cirkut cameras took roll film about 8 inches wide and had some adjustments. They are usually considered to be large or ultra-large format. There are no rules that work.