Medium Format: Known as  2.25, "2 and a quarter", medium format, portrait cameras, 645, 6x7, 120, 220, and sometimes "square negs".  Many wedding and portrait photographers use these cameras. They are manual focus so it will take longer to take a picture.  

Roll film is available in 120 (usually 12 exposures) and 220 (24 exposures).  Most wedding photographers will shoot 120 (12 pictures per roll).  

Being manual focus, manual shutter, and manual aperture is will take a little longer to set up each photograph.  Some traditional photographers using this format will ask you to pause during a segment to make sure they capture the picture.  On average a wedding photographers shooting this format takes between 150-250 shots in the course of a day.

Medium format needs to be processed at a professional lab or a wedding lab.  The film is thinner than 35mm and therefore a bit more fragile.  Many mini-labs do not process or print this professional format.  If your medium format photographer sells you the negatives you may  need to go to a custom professional lab to have prints made.  This will cost you more to get an 8x10 printed. (Average $18-24 in the North East, United States) 

Some professional cameras include Minolta Maxxum 9, Canon 1N, Canon 3,  Nikon F4, Nikon F5, Nikon F100, Nikon N90, Canon A2, Minolta Maxxum 7,  and even the manual Nikon F3.

With the exception of the F3, these are all auto focus cameras.  A wedding photographer using  these has the ability to shoot very spontaneously to capture those truly unique moments of your day. Most of your "photojournalists" will shoot in the 35mm format with a professional system.   Often, the time needed for formal portraits is greatly reduced.  This means more fun for you and your spouse at the cocktail hour.  Check with your photographer how long the "formal portraits" will take.  This will vary from photographer to photographer.  Having multiple camera also allows the photographer to shoot a variety of films including black and white as well as Infrared for a more artistic feel.  

35mm vs. Medium Format: The war continues.

Photographers who have been in the industry for over 20 years will tend to swear by medium format.  For one it was said you got a sharper image than 35mm, also the grain is more apparent in 35mm than medium format. This is true but new tests have shown that from a good sharp 35mm negative taken with a high end professional camera and lens, blown up to an 8x10 there is a minimal difference in favor of medium format.  Larger than that is a much different story. If you are looking for a 16x20, or larger than definitely without a doubt, medium format is better.  If you want 8x10s then either will work.  This is really up to you.  Look at the portfolios carefully when you are meeting with people and don't be afraid to ask questions.

The next argument is about the photographers themselves.  Traditionally a medium format photographer obviously has had training and experience to use a completely manual camera.  Anyone today can pick up a 35mm auto everything camera and call themselves a wedding photographer.  Working for a lab I see many people who have never shot a wedding suddenly picking up their camera and shooting.  Always hire a professional.  35mm or medium format make sure they have experience, training, and a portfolio you like.

Medium Format:

Cropping is always a concern especially for enlargements because of the different proportions.  Below is a sample of a square format, the red lines show simple cropping to 2 common sizes found in wedding albums.  Album makers do make square mats and usually are 5x5.  Your proof book is also normally 5x5.

1. Hire a professional.  There are many affordable professional wedding photographers out there.  Watch for the ones who have never done it.  You can not do this over so make a good choice.  Your medium format traditional photographers will usually cost you more than the photojournalistic 35mm photographers. 

 Find out what you want first of all.  Color? Black and White? Formal poses? a mix? more photojournalistic? Do you want the Formal Album or just a proof book? Do you want the negatives?

2. Compare the prices between the photographers package prices and ala carte pricing.  One package may work better for you. Find out before hand if you take the ala carte plan, how much are the reprints and enlargements?

3. The more they cost, the better they are: NOT TRUE.  This is up to you and what you are looking for.  You will pay more for a photojournalist.  You will pay more for artistic pictures, Infrared, and hand tinting.  The cheapest might not be your answer either. They may not have the experience.  Don't put your wedding in the hands of someone who is not experienced.  Remember you can not re-shoot it later.  

Rates: What you can expect to spend

Traditional - 150-200 proofs - medium format.  $1400-$2000

Photojournalistic - 300+ proofs - 35mm $2000-6000

Artistic - 300+ proofs - 35mm $3000 - 10,000

4. Do you want a female photographer (they come with the woman's perspective of course) or a male photographer?  Woman have made great strides in this industry which was dominated by men.  Man or woman it doesn't really matter, what does matter is that you like the person you are working with, you feel you can trust them, and you are comfortable with them.  

5. When viewing the portfolio: Do you like what you see?  Why would a photographer show something that was not the best work?  Every photographer should furnish you with a standard portfolio.  But what are you going to get? Ask to see a complete wedding in a real proof book. This will give you an idea of really what to expect.  A heads up: Not every image is the perfect picture! and there is no photographer who can guarantee picture perfect each and every shot.

Do you see a variety in the portfolio? Is there a mix of candids and formal portraits? What about black and white? Infrared? Sepia? Hand Tinting? Do they offer retouching of blemishes? What about scanning to CD Roms?

6. Meet the photographer.  Many companies have multiple photographers and it is important you get a feel for the personality and work of the actual person who will be there.

7. Dress Code: I am always shocked when I see a photographer dressed inappropriately for the occasion.  It is embarrassing!.  If your wedding is formal they should be formal as well, (or at least wearing the same as the service).  Men should always wear a suit.  Woman either black slacks and a button down shirt (for formal they would match the caterers or the guests). 

8. Processing time:  Now that you know a little more about cameras and film, if the photographer tells you 4-6 weeks that is very reasonable.  Some 35mm photographers can get the proofs to you in 3-4 weeks depending on the lab. 

If you hire a 35mm photographer what lab do they use? Is it a 1 hour mini-lab? Is it a professional lab? Is it a mail order lab?  A professional 35mm photographer should be using a professional lab.  They should not be going to the mall to have the proofs printed! Professional labs  offer "dip and dunk" processing. This means the film is dipped into a tank and avoids any possible scratches. It is also much more archival (it will last longer in time).  Ask your photographer if their lab offers this service as well. 

9. The contract:  Do you understand the payment terms?  Does the photographer require full payment the day of the wedding?  If so what is the guarantee he/she will deliver the proofs?

What happens if the photographer is sick?

What is the cancellation policy?

10. References: Get a few references which you can contact.  When speaking with the references remember they are regular people taking time out to answer questions.  Be courteous to them and remember one day you may be a reference.  

Your gut feeling about a person or photographer may be a good thing to tune into to.  If you don't feel comfortable, they probably are not the photographer for you.  You may end up worrying about the photographer the day of your wedding.  You shouldn't have to worry.

Ask Christine