Medium Format Cameras

The twin-lens reflex was for many years a standard of the photography world. The design, developed by Rollei, became an acceptable press and documentary camera in the years when the 4×5 press camera was standard and the 35mm was viewed by many as too small for professional work.

-Ansel Adams, The Camera

The next largest in terms of size, refers to cameras larger than 35mm but smaller than 4″x5″. It is a compromise between the automation of a 35mm and the full control of a 4×5. The negative is many times larger than the 35mm and results in improved sharpness and less grain, especially when enlarging. This class of camera comes in two formats: twin lens reflex (TLR) and single lens reflex (SLR).

Image Sizes

Twin Lens Reflex
TLR has, you guessed it, two identical focal length lenses. One for viewing and the other for capturing. Both operate together so when the viewing lens is focused so too is the capturing lens. The image is reversed from left to right which can be corrected with a prism.

Like the viewfinder, parallax is an issue and can be corrected. Looking at the picture below, you can see how the two lenses operate.

Single Lens Reflex
These cameras tend to be boxy, for example Hasselblad. This format is totally customizable. You have to attach the film magazines, lens and viewfinder system. These have a leaf shutter inside the lens unlike 35mm SLR. So when the shutter fails you replace the lens only and not the entire camera. Unlike a 35mm the viewing window is at the top of the camera body.

There are a few with focal plane shutters and these do not need to be calibrated when the lens changes to ensure accurate exposure. Like it’s 35mm counterpart, the image is viewed via a mirror and the image is reversed from right to left without a prism attached. These are very modular cameras with plenty of attachments based on your preferences. It is not hard to find one used because a quick search on Craig’s List locally produced results.

Key Features