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

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bill Costa wrote:
> Fred Sole posted (in part):
> >    Medium format does deliver better color tonality and grain so the
> > reasoning goes that 4x5 would be even better. It is.
> 
>       The grain I follow, but 'better color tonality'?  How so if 
>       it is the same film I run through my 35mm?
> 

Assuming the same field of view, a larger film frame has more film
area to show the same subject area.  (Another way to think of this is
that a larger format has a smaller reproduction ratio.)  This allows
for smoother transitions between tones.

With film as you go to larger formats you are using more grains (or
grain clumps if you want to be picky) to represent the same area of
the subject.  Rather than have two grains that jump from black to
white in a small format, if you use a larger format you have a bunch
of grains that transition more smoothly from black through gray to
white.

This is what makes the larger formats look so good.  Not only are the
grains less visible (because you don't enlarge as much), but the
transitions between tones is smoother.

-- 
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