Well, let’s dive into the fascinating history of 120 film!
Back in the early 20th century, Kodak was the leading company in the photography industry. They introduced a range of films, each with a unique format number assigned to it. The format numbering system started with 101 and progressed from there.
In 1901, Kodak released a film called 101 roll film, which was the first daylight-loading roll film on flanged spools. This film was primarily targeted towards amateur photographers who wanted a convenient and easy-to-use format.
As Kodak continued to innovate and improve their film offerings, they eventually came up with a new and improved version of the 101 roll film. This new film, which had some modifications and enhancements, became the 20th version in Kodak’s format numbering system.
To keep things consistent and avoid confusion, Kodak decided to name this film “120.” The number 120 was simply the next available format number in their sequence. It had no particular significance other than being the 20th film in their lineup.
The 120 film format gained popularity among photographers for its larger negative size, which allowed for greater detail and better image quality compared to smaller formats. This made it a preferred choice for professional photographers and enthusiasts who sought higher resolution and finer grain.
However, despite its initial success, 120 film eventually faced stiff competition from the smaller and more compact 35mm film format. The smaller size of 35mm film made it more convenient and affordable, leading to its widespread adoption and eventually overshadowing 120 film in the amateur photography market.
Today, 120 film is still used by some photographers, particularly those who appreciate the unique characteristics and aesthetic qualities it offers. It has become somewhat of a niche format, cherished for its ability to capture stunning medium format images.
The name “120” for this film format was simply a product of Kodak’s format numbering system, where it happened to be the 20th film in their lineup. Despite its eventual decline in popularity, 120 film continues to be cherished by photographers who value its larger negative size and distinctive image quality.