medium format

Meanings

1. 1noununcountabletechnical

   A size of photographic film or digital sensor larger than 35mm but smaller than large format, used for high-quality images.

   Grammar: Used as a mass noun: 'He shoots medium format.' You do not usually say 'a medium format' unless you mean a particular camera system.

   Patterns

   • shoot in medium format
   • medium format camera
   • medium format film

   She prefers medium format for portrait work because the larger negative captures more detail.

   This studio rents medium format cameras to professional photographers.

   Medium format film is expensive and slower to work with than 35mm.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nountechnical

   Relating to a camera, film, or digital system that uses a larger-than-35mm image area.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun: 'a medium format camera'. It is not used after a verb.

   Patterns

   • medium format camera
   • medium format digital back
   • medium format system

   He bought a used medium format camera on an online auction site.

   The museum's archive was digitized using a medium format scanner.

   Medium format lenses are often heavier and more expensive than standard ones.

Common combinations

medium format camera

A medium format camera gives you more control over depth of field.

shoot in medium format

Many landscape photographers still shoot in medium format.

medium format film

Medium format film comes in rolls rather than small cassettes.

medium format digital

Medium format digital backs are now common in high-end studios.

Synonyms and how they differ

large format

Large format uses even bigger film or sensors, often sheet film, and is typically used for architecture or very high-detail work.

35mm

35mm is the standard small format; it is smaller and more portable than medium format.

Commonly confused: medium format or medium-sized?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “medium format”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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