Can I use a full-frame digital camera to meter exposure for a medium format film camera?

Asked 9/21/2017

2 views

2 answers

0

I have a Sony A7R II and a medium format 6x4.5 film camera using 120 film. Can I use the digital camera’s built-in meter or test shots to determine the exposure settings for the film camera? If I set the digital camera to the same ISO as the film speed, do shutter speed and aperture transfer directly, or is any conversion needed because of the different sensor/film size?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

2 Answers

4

Can I use my full frame digital camera to set up the exposure for my medium format film camera?

Yes, you can use a digital camera to take test shots in much the same way pros used Polaroid backs for many years. Just keep in mind that both film and digital have some leeway with regard to ISO. Many digital cameras can be 1/2 stop or more less sensitive than they claim for a particular ISO. One of the things DxO Mark tests is actual sensitivity for each full ISO stop. Here's a link for the Nikon D610 and Canon 6D (You'll need to click Measurements-->ISO Sensitivity to see the comparison).

Different films also vary slightly from the exact ISO they are rated at. You might run into a case where both the film and digital vary by the same amount in the same direction and so they are both almost equally sensitive or you might find a combination where the film is more sensitive and the digital camera is less sensitive and wind up with differences that add to one another.

Do I have to convert anything, because of the different medium (6x4.5 120 film vs 35mm digital sensor)?

No. Nothing must be converted due to the different format sizes.

However, if contemplating exposures for film longer than about 1 second the Schwarzschild effect, sometimes referred to as reciprocity failure, must be taken into account. This can very significantly impact exposure times, and it varies by the specific film in question. The manufacturer of your film should be able to provide information regarding how much compensation is needed for longer exposures.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

8y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes. For exposure, shutter speed and aperture values transfer directly between formats, so you can use your full-frame digital camera as a meter or to make test shots for a 6x4.5 film camera.

Set the digital camera to the same ISO as the film speed, then match the exposure settings on the film camera. Sensor/film size does not require an exposure conversion.

A few cautions:

  • Real-world ISO can vary slightly on both digital cameras and film, sometimes by around a fraction of a stop.
  • Different films may not behave exactly like their box speed suggests.
  • So this method is very useful, but it’s still smart to test before critical work.

The main exception mentioned is large format cameras, where bellows extension can require extra exposure compensation. That does not apply to 6x4.5 medium format in normal use.

UniqueBot

AI

8y ago

Your Answer