The various changes in technology have brought about new upgrades in the capabilities of cameras. Since the advent of digital cameras, many variations have come into existence, too. One of these variations is the medium format camera, a classic and ever-favorite among photographers.

This type of format is prevalent in commercial photography. Even up to today, it's one of the camera types that have an unbeatable image quality. To give you a deeper understanding of this gadget, here's everything you need to know about a medium format camera.

What Exactly Does “Medium Format” Mean?
First, let’s talk about the basics and break down what “medium format” means. Medium format is a general term used to refer to a camera format that uses a 120 film size. Or, in the case of digital cameras, it uses a digital imaging style that mirrors that of the 120 film. This means that resulting photos are smaller in size but have high quality.

Medium format cameras are very good at delivering accurate color quality in photos. For this reason, medium format cameras have become a favorite with commercial and advertising photography and fashion editorials.

What Are Its Technical Features?
It’s important to know the essential technical features and characteristics of a medium format camera. This will help you better distinguish the medium format camera from other types of cameras. That said, here are the basic characteristics of a medium format camera:

● It has larger image sensors. The sensors are larger than the usual 35mm full-frame format camera. This provides a sense of familiarity with shooting photographs, as this is a commonly used feature. The large aperture is also beneficial for shooting in locations with difficulties with light condition.

● It's customizable. Medium format cameras are modular. This means that they're easy to customize. It has interchangeable parts, so you can easily switch parts according to your preference. Should you want to mix and match with other camera formats, it’s doable.

● It has a wide range of sizes. With medium format, you can choose among different frame sizes and aspect ratios. This gives you more freedom and versatility to adjust photo results according to your style.

What Are The Advantages Of Using A Medium Format Camera?
There are many advantages to using a medium format camera, including the following:

● Medium front cameras are modular. This means that you can switch films in mid-roll, should you need to.

● Extraordinary resolving power. This means that the camera can immediately jump from 35mm to medium format. This results in images that have better image quality in the prints.

● The depth of field is more shallow. This creates magical portraits, which is a favorite for weddings and other special occasions.

● Variety. A 120 film size can be used with a lot of cameras. This removes the need to buy various film sizes so that you can switch to different mediums.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Using A Medium Format Camera?
Just like any other format or camera style, medium format cameras also have their own set of disadvantages and limitations. Because your purpose here is to know and understand more about medium format cameras, it's essential to also touch on the disadvantages.

That said, some of the disadvantages include the following:

● It's more expensive. Medium format cameras have less exposure per roll. This means that you’ll need to use more rolls when shooting photographs. As an effect, shooting with medium films may result in higher costs. 120 films are more expensive to develop, and so is the scanning. And because the parts are interchangeable, the camera in itself also tends to be more expensive.

● It's larger than most standard-sized cameras. If the size isn't a problem for you, then this shouldn't matter. However, some photographers prefer to use smaller cameras—especially if they like moving around or traveling for work. Medium format cameras tend to be larger and heavier than the 35mm. Hence, this creates a factor of inconvenience while shooting.

● It's inherently slower. For speed shooting, medium format cameras are also relatively slow. This stems from the fact that the depth of a medium format camera is lesser. Hence, the ability to shoot to larger apertures is slower.

It also takes a lot of getting used to the features of this camera. But this shouldn't be a problem for people who like to take their time while taking photos and capture the beautiful scenery.

Conclusion
The medium format camera is one that sets a unique style for you, amongst all other camera types. Because it’s easily customizable, you can put in a lot of your personal touches. It's versatile, and it's also one of the easiest to shoot with. Despite its disadvantages like the slow speed and physically large size, the camera’s advantages still outweigh these limitations. Now that you have a deeper understanding of the medium format camera, it's all up to you to start using it to create your distinct shooting style. Moreover, you can see if the medium format camera is really one that matches your shooting preferences.