[photo-3d] 35 vs 120 vs 4x5

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   The arguement about 35mm vs medium format vs large format has been
going on in the medium format newsgroups for some time. As for the
comment about medium format being so much better than 35mm for stereo
and why isn't 4x5 better than medium format, lets look at this another
way.

   First off, medium format is NOT better than 35mm in ALL situations. 35
has its advantages in versatility. From a stereo perspective, medium
format stereo is technically better but not as versatile as 35. There is
a very limited choice of medium format stereo cameras. There are even
fewer viewers for medium format stereo. MF stereo is easier to handle
when mounting, but there is no RBT style system of mounting for medium
format.
   Medium format does deliver better color tonality and grain so the
reasoning goes that 4x5 would be even better. It is. But the camera size
and weight become of paramount concern at 4x5 size. I know, I have 2 of
the old press 4x5s. (Busch Pressman Model D) I have NO plans to do stereo
at the 4x5 level. Those who have done 4x5 stereo know you can get some
super stunning images from it, but viewing storing mounting problems all
become magnified with the film size. As does transporting, setting up
the camera, loading the film, etc. The bigger the box, the bigger the
problems.
  Medium format stereo is a good compromise from the limitations of the
frame size of 35mm stereo. Note that I said "frame size." 35mm Realist
is great for doing a lot, but I found that the 5p format required a good
fine-grain film if you wanted sharp pictures. Until Provia 100F, the choice
was Kodachrome 25.
  So the  debate about which is the better stereo format follows the same
sort of lines that exist on the 2d groups of similar discussions. It all
depends on what you intend to use each format for. I could go on about
my own experiences but I have rambled far too long already. There has been
quite a debate on this that should be in the archives for the medium format
and large format newsgroups.


 -Fred Sole