Ultra Large Format

Ultra Large Format (ULF) photography refers to photography using cameras producing negatives larger than 8x10" (20x25cm).

The ULF photography 'movement' has known a revival in the last few years, and is still expanding, along with film photography which, despite the very large market share of digital photography, still has many practitioners. Black and white panchromatic film in the various ULF sizes is still being produced, Ilford and Adox are two such manufacturers.

Origins

In the 19th century and early 20th century, photographic materials were not sensitive enough to light to allow for enlarging. All prints were contact prints, which meant a large negative was needed if one wanted a large picture. This can only be achieved by using a large camera.

Advantages
  • The sheer size of the negative allows for very precise detail reproduction.
  • Large negatives can be used to make contact prints, which is a method used with many alternative photographic processes.
  • Images produced have a presence that is difficult to obtain through any other means - mostly the quality of a contact print instead of enlargement.
  • The view of the scene through such a huge ground glass is a remarkable experience, and allows much greater freedom in composition.
  • ULF offers the opportunity to practice in-camera shooting, where sensitive paper (as opposed to negative/positive film) is placed in the film holder. This can be done also with conventional large format cameras, but of course the overall result - given the much smaller size - is less impressive and satisfactory.

Trade-offs
  • Ultra Large Format cameras, as well as lenses with suffice image coverage for large film formats, are generally very costly and heavy.
  • High cost of film - most films must be special cut, and are mounted into custom film holders built by fine wood workers.
  • Cumbersome to manipulate, which slows down the photographic process significantly. Logistics involving the camera also becomes challenging due to its size and weight.
  • Absence of international standards for film holders beyond 11" x 14" (30 cm x 40 cm) - this is rarely an issue as film holders are custom built to match cameras. An exception to this is 14" x 17" - the size of X-Ray and MRI films - which is indeed an international standard.
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  • Fotostudio-Arton, an experimental digital large format camera.
  • Going Ultra, the chronicle of a journey into contemporary ULF photography.
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