List of motion picture film formats
This list of motion picture film formats catalogues formats developed for shooting or viewing motion pictures , ranging from the Chronophotographe format from 1888, to mid-20th century formats such as the 1953 CinemaScope format, to more recent formats such as the 1992 IMAX HD format.
To be included in this list, the formats must all have been used in the field or for test shooting, and they must all use photochemical images that are formed or projected on a film base , a transparent substrate which supports the photosensitive emulsion.
As well, the formats must have been used to make more than just a few test frames. The camera must be fast enough (in frames per second) to create an illusion of motion consistent with the persistence of vision phenomenon. The format must be significantly unique from other listed formats in regard to its image capture or image projection . The format characteristics should be clearly definable in several listed parameters (e. g., film gauge, aspect ratio, etc.).
Legend
Format is the name of the process; some formats may have multiple names in common usage.
Creator is the individual or company most directly attributable as the developer of the system.
Year created usually refers to the earliest date that the system was used to completion (i.e. projection), but may refer to when it was developed if no known film was made.
First known film is the first film (not including tests) made with the format and intended for release.
Negative gauge is the film gauge (width) used for the original camera negative.
Negative aspect ratio is the image ratio determined by the ratio of the gate dimensions multiplied by the anamorphic power of the camera lenses (1× in the case of spherical lenses).[ 1]
Gate dimensions are the width and height of the camera gate aperture , and by extension the film negative frame.
Negative pulldown describes the film perforations per frame, the direction of film transport, and standard frame speed. Film transport is assumed to be vertical unless otherwise noted, and standard frame speed is assumed to be 24 frames per second unless the film is otherwise noted or has no standard. Silent film has no standard speed; many amateur formats have several common speeds, but no standard.
Negative lenses indicates whether spherical (normal) or anamorphic lenses are used on the original camera negative, and if anamorphic lenses, what anamorphic power is used.
Projection gauge is the film gauge (width) used for the release print.
Projection aspect ratio is the image ratio determined by the ratio of the projection dimensions multiplied by the anamorphic power of the projection lenses (1× in the case of spherical lenses). This is also known as the intended theatrical aspect ratio.[ 1]
Projection dimensions are the width and height of the projector aperture plate, and by extension the film frame area which is projected. The aperture plate always very slightly crops the frame.
Projection lenses indicates whether spherical (normal) or anamorphic lenses are used on the projector, and if anamorphic lenses, what anamorphic power is used.
Formats are listed in chronological order and by release date in the case of multiple formats within one year, if this can be determined. Undated formats are listed at the bottom in alphabetical order.
The table does not cover 3-D film systems or color film systems , nor is it well-suited to emphasize the differences between those systems.
Format
Creator
Est.
First known work
Negative gauge
Negative A/R[ 1]
Gate dims
Negative pulldown
Negative lenses
Projection gauge
Projection A/R[ 1]
Projection dims
Projection lenses
Chronophotographe [ 2]
Étienne-Jules Marey
1888
motion analysis studies
90 mm
1.00
3.543" × 3.543"
unperforated
spherical
Paper film [ 3]
Louis Le Prince
1888
Roundhay Garden Scene
65 mm
1.00
unperforated
spherical
not known
1.00
spherical
Machine Camera
Wm. Friese-Greene
1889
Hyde Park Corner & Marble Arch
65 mm
1.00
pin wheel perforation
spherical
Kinetoscope cylinder
Wm. Dickson & T. Edison
1889 or 1890
Monkeyshines, No. 1
strip rolled around a cylinder
unperforated
spherical
spherical
Kinesigraph
Wordsworth Donisthorpe
1890 or 1891
view of Trafalgar Square
70 mm
1.00
unperforated
spherical
Friese-Greene
Wm. Friese-Greene
1891
King's Road, Chelsea, London
60 mm
1.325
8 round perfs, 2 sides
spherical
Kinetoscope horizontal
Wm. Dickson & William Heise
1891
Dickson Greeting
19 mm
6 perf, 1 side, horizontal
spherical
spherical
Silent film standard
Wm. Dickson & T. Edison
1892
Blacksmith Scene
35 mm
1.33
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
1.33
0.931" × 0.698"
spherical
Bioscop
Max Skladanowsky
1892
footage of Emil Skladanowsky
54 mm
unperforated (camera); 4 perf, 2 sides (projection)
spherical
54 mm (two strips interleaved)
spherical
Eidoloscope [ 4]
Woodville Latham
1895
Griffo-Barnett Prize Fight
51 mm
1.85
1.457" × 0.787"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
51 mm
1.85
spherical
Cinematographe
Lumière Brothers
1895
La Sortie des Usines Lumiere
35 mm
1.33
0.980" × 0.735"
1 perf, 2 sides (rounded)
spherical
35 mm
1.33
spherical
Biograph
Wm. Dickson & Herman Casler
1895
Sparring Contest at Canastota
68 mm
1.35
2.625" × 1.938"
1 perf, 2 sides (punched in-camera)
spherical
68 mm
spherical
Joly-Normandin
Henri Joly
1895
60 mm
5 perf, 2 sides
spherical
60 mm
spherical
Biographe
Demeny-Gaumont
1896
60 mm
1.40
1.750" × 1.250"
unperforated
spherical
60 mm
1.40
spherical
Chronophotographe
Demeny-Gaumont
1896
60 mm
1.40
1.750" × 1.250"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
60 mm
1.40
spherical
Sivan-Dalphin
Casimir Sivan and E. Dalphin
1896
38 mm
2 perf, 2 sides
spherical
38 mm
spherical
Veriscope
Enoch Rector
1897
The Corbett-Fitzsimmons Fight
63 mm
1.66
1.875" × 1.125"
5 perf, 2 sides
spherical
63 mm
spherical
Viventoscope
Thomas Henry Blair
1897
48 mm
1.50
1.500" × 1.000"
1 perf?
spherical
48 mm
spherical
Birtac
Birt Acres
1898
unknown (amateur format)
17.5 mm
2 perf, 1 side
spherical
17.5 mm
spherical
Biokam
T. C. Hepworth
1899
unknown (amateur format)
17.5 mm
1.60
0.630" × 0.394"
1 perf, center
spherical
17.5 mm
spherical
Prestwich 13 mm
John Alfred Prestwich
1899
unknown (amateur format)
13 mm
spherical
13 mm
spherical
Mirograph
Reulos, Goudeau & Co
1900
unknown (amateur format)
21 mm
1 notch, 2 sides
spherical
21 mm
spherical
Lumiere Wide
Lumière Brothers
1900
75 mm
1.33
2.362" × 1.772"
8 perf, 2 sides
spherical
75 mm
1.33
spherical
Cinéorama
R. Grimoin-Sanson
1900
Cinéorama
70 mm × 10 cameras (360°)
4 perf?
spherical
70 mm × 10 projectors (360°)
spherical
La Petite (Hughes)
W.C. Hughes
1900
unknown (amateur format)
17.5 mm
1.60
0.630" × 0.394"
1 perf, center (smaller and less rectangular than Biokam)
spherical
17.5 mm
spherical
Pocket Chrono
Gaumont Demeny
1900
unknown (amateur format)
15 mm
1 perf, center
spherical
15 mm
spherical
Vitak
William Wardell
1902
unknown (amateur format)
no standard
no standard
no standard
1 perf, center
spherical
11 mm
spherical
Home Kinetoscope
Edison
1912
unknown (amateur format)
no standard
no standard
no standard
no standard
spherical
22 mm, 2 perf (on frameline between frame rows)
1.5
0.236" × 0.157" (three frames across width)
spherical
Pathe Kok
Pathé
1912
unknown (amateur format)
28 mm
1.36
0.748" × 0.551"
3 perf on one side, 1 perf on the other
spherical
28 mm
spherical
Duoscope
Alexander F. Victor
1912
unknown (amateur format)
17.5 mm
2 perfs, center
spherical
17.5 mm
spherical
Panoramico [ 5]
Filoteo Alberini
1914
Il sacco di Roma
70 mm
2.52
5 perf, 2 sides
spherical
70 mm
spherical
Split Duplex
Duplex Corporation
1915
35 mm
1.33
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides (shooting)
spherical
35 mm
1.87
0.735" × 0.394"
spherical (split image 90° rotated)
11 mm
(American)
1916
unknown (amateur format)
11 mm
1 perf, center
spherical
11 mm
spherical
Movette
Movette Camera Company
1917
unknown (amateur format)
17.5 mm
2 perfs, 2 sides (rounded)
spherical
17.5 mm
spherical
28 mm safety standard
Alexander F. Victor
1918
unknown (amateur format)
28 mm
1.36
0.748" × 0.551"
3 perf, 2 sides
spherical
28 mm
spherical
Clou
(Austrian)
1920
unknown (amateur format)
17.5 mm
2 perf, 2 sides
spherical
17.5 mm
spherical
26 mm
(French)
1920
unknown (amateur format)
26 mm
1 perf, 1 side
spherical
26 mm
spherical
9.5 mm
Pathé
1922
unknown (amateur format)
9.5 mm
1.31
0.335" × 0.256"
1 perf, center
spherical
9.5 mm
1.31
0.315" × 0.242"
spherical
Phonofilm
Lee De Forest
1922
Barking Dog and Flying Jenny Airplane
35 mm
1.33
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
1.17
0.826" × 0.708"
spherical
Widescope [ 6]
John D. Elms & George W. Bingham
1922
35 mm × 2 (both in same camera)
1.33 × 2 negatives
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical (one lens per strip)
35 mm × 2 projectors
2.66
0.931" × 0.698"
spherical
Cinebloc
Ozaphan
1922
unknown (amateur format)
22 mm
2 perf, 2 sides
spherical
22 mm
spherical
Tri-Ergon soundfilm [ 6]
Tri-Ergon
1922
35 mm
1.33
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
42 mm
1.33
0.931" × 0.698"
spherical
16 mm [ 7]
Eastman Kodak
1923
unknown (amateur format)
16 mm
1.37
0.404" × 0.295"
1 perf, 1 or 2 sides
spherical
16 mm
1.37
0.378" × 0.276"
spherical
Duplex
G.J. Bradley
1923
unknown (amateur format)
11 mm
2 perf, 2 sides (rounded)
spherical
11.5 mm
spherical
Alberini-Hill
Corrado Cerqua
1924
35 mm
1.66
1.575" × 0.945" (curved)
10 perf, 2 sides, horizontal
spherical, on 65° revolving drum
35 mm
spherical
Cinelux
Ozaphan
1924
unknown (amateur format)
24 mm
spherical
24 mm
spherical
48 mm
J.H. Powrie
1924
48 mm
1.32
1.969" × 1.496"
horizontal
spherical
35 mm
1.33
0.931" × 0.698"
spherical
Natural Vision [ 8]
George K. Spoor & P. John Berggren
1925
Niagara Falls and Rollercoaster Ride
63.5 mm
1.84
2.060" × 1.120"
6 perf, 2 sides, 20 frame/s
spherical
63.5 mm
2.00
spherical
13 mm
(French)
1925
unknown (amateur format)
13 mm
4 perf, center
spherical
13 mm
spherical
18 mm
(Russian)
1925
unknown (amateur format)
18 mm
1 perf, 2 sides
spherical
18 mm
spherical
Pathe Rural
Pathé
1926
unknown (amateur format)
17.5 mm
1.35 (silent); 1.30 (sound)
0.516" × 0.382" (silent); 0.445" × 0.343" (sound)
1 perf, 2 sides
spherical
17.5 mm
1.33 (silent); 1.26 (sound)
0.472" × 0.354" (silent); 0.445" × 0.343" (sound)
spherical
Widevision [ 6]
John D. Elms & George W. Bingham
1926
Natural Vision Pictures
57 mm
5 perf, 2 sides
spherical
57 mm
spherical
Magnascope [ 5]
Lorenzo del Riccio
1926
Old Ironsides
35 mm
1.33
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
1.33
0.931" × 0.698"
spherical (selected scenes projected using a wider lens for larger picture)
Fox Movietone
F. H. Owens , T. Case , Tri-Ergon
1927
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
35 mm
1.33
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
1.17
0.826" × 0.708"
spherical
Polyvision [ 9]
Abel Gance
1927
Napoléon
35 mm × 3 cameras
1.33 × 3 negatives
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm × 3 projectors
4.00
0.931" × 0.698"
spherical
Hypergonar
Henri Chrétien
1927
Pour construire un feu
35 mm
2.66
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
2× anamorphic
35 mm
2.66
0.931" × 0.698"
2× anamorphic
Magnafilm [ 10]
Lorenzo del Riccio
1929
You're in the Army Now
56 mm
2.19
1.620" × 0.740"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
56 mm
2.00
spherical
Fox Grandeur [ 10]
Fox Film Corporation
1929
Fox Grandeur News and Fox Movietone Follies of 1929
70 mm
2.07
1.890" × 0.913"
4 perf, 2 sides, 20 frame/s (before 1930)
spherical
70 mm
2.00
1.768" × 0.885"
spherical
Fearless Super Pictures [ 11]
Ralph G. Fear
1929
35 mm
2.27
1.813" × 0.800"
10 perfs, 2 sides, horizontal
spherical
35 mm, horizontal
spherical
Fearless Super-Film /Magnifilm /Fox Vitascope [ 12]
Ralph G. Fear
1930
Kismet
65 mm
2.00
1.811" × 0.906"
5 perf, 2 sides
spherical
65 mm
2.05
1.772" × 0.866"
spherical
Realife [ 11]
MGM
1930
Billy the Kid
70 mm
2.07
1.890" × 0.913"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
1.75
0.904" × 0.517"
spherical
50 mm [ 13]
Fox Film Corporation & SMPE
1930
50 mm
1.80
1.325" × 0.735"
spherical
50 mm
1.80
1.305" × 0.725"
spherical
17 mm sound
(French)
1930
unknown (amateur format)
17 mm
1 perf, 1 side
spherical
17 mm
spherical
Giant Expanding Pictures
George Palmer
1930
35 mm
1.33
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
1.17
0.826" × 0.708"
spherical (with a special projection zoom lens zooming wider and opening masking for key sequences)
Kodel Kemco Homovie
Clarence Ogden
1931
unknown (amateur format)
16 mm
4 sequential images per frame
1 perf, 2 sides
spherical
16 mm
spherical
Academy format [ 14]
AMPAS
1932
35 mm
1.375 (commonly abbreviated to 1.37)
0.868″ × 0.631″
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
1.37
0.825″ × 0.600″
spherical
8 mm
Eastman Kodak
1932
unknown (amateur format)
16 mm
1.32
0.192" × 0.145"
1 perf, 1 side (using 16 mm film with twice as many perfs)
spherical
8 mm
1.33
0.172" × 0.129"
spherical
Straight 8
Bell & Howell
1935
unknown (amateur format)
8 mm
1.32
0.192" × 0.145"
1 perf, 1 side
spherical
8 mm
1.33
0.172" × 0.129"
spherical
Vitarama
Fred Waller
1939
16 mm × 11 cameras
1.37 × 11 negatives
0.404" × 0.295"
1 perf, 2 sides
spherical
16 mm × 11 projectors
hemispherical view
0.378" × 0.276"
spherical
Waller Flexible Gunnery Trainer
Fred Waller
1943
US Air Force interactive training exercise
35 mm × 5 cameras
1.37 × 5 negatives
0.866" × 0.630"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm × 5 projectors
hemispherical view
0.825" × 0.602"
spherical
Cinerama [ 15]
Fred Waller
1952
This is Cinerama
35 mm × 3 cameras
2.59 (3 × negatives)
0.996" × 1.116"
6 perf, 2 sides at 26 frame/s
spherical
35 mm × 3 projectors, with 6 perf pulldown
2.59, with 146° curved screen
0.985" × 1.088"
spherical
Matted 1.66 [ 14]
Paramount
1953
Shane
35 mm
1.37
0.866" × 0.630"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
1.66
0.825" × 0.497"
spherical
Matted 1.85 [ 14]
Universal
1953
Thunder Bay
35 mm
1.37
0.866" × 0.630"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
1.85
0.825" × 0.446"
spherical
Matted 1.75
MGM
1953
Arena
35 mm
1.37
0.866" × 0.630"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
1.75
0.825" × 0.471"
spherical
Cinemascope [ 16]
20th Century Fox
1953
The Robe
35 mm
2.55 (1953–57); 2.35 (1957–67)
0.937" × 0.735" (1953–57); 0.868" × 0.735" (1957–67)
4 perf, 2 sides
2× anamorphic
35 mm
2.55 (1953–57); 2.35 (1957–67)
0.912" × 0.715" (1953–57); 0.839" × 0.715" (1957–67)
2× anamorphic
Arnoldscope [ 17]
John Arnold
1953
35 mm
10 perf, 2 sides, horizontal
spherical
VistaVision [ 18]
Paramount
1954
White Christmas
35 mm
1.51
1.495" × 0.991"
8 perf, 2 sides, horizontal
spherical
35 mm, 4 perf, vertical
1.85
0.825" × 0.446"
spherical
VistaVision Large Area [ 18] [ 19]
Paramount
1954
White Christmas
35 mm
1.51
1.495" × 0.991"
8 perf, 2 sides, horizontal
spherical
35 mm, 8 perf, horizontal
1.96
1.418" × 0.723"
spherical
Superscope [ 20]
Tushinsky Brothers
1954
Vera Cruz
35 mm
1.33
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
2.00
0.715" × 0.715"
2× anamorphic
Circarama [ 21]
Disney
1955
A Tour of the West
16 mm × 11 cameras
1.37 × 11 negatives
0.404" × 0.295"
1 perf, 2 sides
spherical
16 mm × 11 projectors
360°
0.378" × 0.276"
spherical
Todd-AO [ 22] [ 23]
Michael Todd
1955
Oklahoma
65 mm
2.29
2.072" × 0.906"
5 perfs, 2 sides, at 30 frame/s
spherical
70 mm
2.21, with 120° curved screen
1.912" × 0.870"
spherical
CinemaScope 55 [ 24]
20th Century Fox
1955
Carousel
55 mm
2.55
1.824" × 1.430"
8 perfs, 2 sides
2× anamorphic
35 mm
2.55
0.912" × 0.715"
2× anamorphic
9.5 Duplex [ 25]
Pathé Fréres
1955
?
9.5 mm
1.51
4.1 mm × 6.2 mm
2 central perforations in a 9.5mm film
spherical
4.75 mm
spherical, rotated 90°
8 mm Panoramic [ 26]
Dimaphot, Paris
1955
?
16 mm
1.5
5 mm × 7.5 mm
1 perf, 2 sides
spherical
8 mm
spherical, rotated 90°
Emel Panoscope [ 27]
Emel, Paris
1955
?
16 mm
2.7
3.5 mm × 9.6 mm
2 perf, 2 sides
spherical
16 mm
spherical
Technirama [ 28]
Technicolor
1956
The Monte Carlo Story
35 mm
2.26
1.496" × 0.992"
8 perf, 2 sides, horizontally
1.5× anamorphic
35 mm, 4 perf vertical
2.35
0.839" × 0.715"
2× anamorphic
Technirama Large Area [ 28]
Technicolor
1956
The Monte Carlo Story
35 mm
2.26
1.496" × 0.992"
8 perf, 2 sides, horizontally
1.5× anamorphic
35 mm, 8 perf horizontal
2.42
1.421" × 0.881"
1.5× anamorphic
Dynamic Frame [ 29]
Glenn Alvey
1956
The Door in the Wall
35 mm
1.3, 1.6, and 2.5
variable aperture plates
8 perf, 2 sides, horizontally
spherical
35 mm, 4 perf, vertical
1.3, 1.5, and 2.5
spherical
Superscope 235 [ 20]
Superscope Inc.
1956
Run for the Sun
35 mm
1.33
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
2.35
0.839" × 0.715"
2× anamorphic
Thrillarama [ 30]
Albert H. Reynolds
1956
Thrillarama Adventure
35 mm × 2 cameras
1.78 × 2 negatives
3 perf, 2 sides?
spherical
35 mm × 2 projectors
3.55, with a curved screen
spherical
Magirama [ 9]
Abel Gance
1956
Magirama
35 mm × 3 cameras (sides bounced off mirrors)
1.33 × 3 negatives
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm × 3 projectors (sides bounced off mirrors)
4.00
0.931" × 0.698"
spherical
MGM Camera 65
Panavision
1957
Raintree County
65 mm
2.76
2.072" × 0.906"
5 perf, 2 sides
1.25× anamorphic
70 mm
2.76
1.912" × 0.870"
1.25× anamorphic
Ultra Panavision [ 31]
Panavision
1962
Ben-Hur
65 mm
2.76
2.072" × 0.906"
5 perf, 2 sides
1.25× anamorphic
70 mm
2.76
1.912" × 0.870"
1.25× anamorphic
Cinestage [ 32]
Mike Todd
1957
Around the World in 80 Days
65 mm
2.29
2.072" × 0.906"
5 perfs, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm (1 mm shaved off for UK prints)
2.12
0.912" × 0.675"
1.567× anamorphic
Rank VistaVision
J. Arthur Rank Organization
1957
35 mm
1.51
1.495" × 0.991"
8 perf, 2 sides, horizontally
spherical
35 mm, 4 perf, vertical
1.82
0.825" × 0.602"
1.33× anamorphic
Modern anamorphic [ 33]
Panavision
1958
The Female Animal
35 mm
2.37
0.866" × 0.732"
4 perf, 2 sides
2× anamorphic
35 mm
2.35 (1957–70); 2.39 (1970–present)
0.839" × 0.715" (1957–70); 0.838" × 0.7" (1970–93); 0.825" × 0.690" (1993–present)
2× anamorphic
Kinopanorama [ 34]
NIKFI
1958
Great Is My Country
35 mm × 3 cameras
0.91 × 3 negatives
1.014" × 1.116"
6 perf, 2 sides, at 25 frame/s
spherical
35 mm × 3 projectors
2.72
0.985" × 1.088"
spherical
70 mm [ 22] [ 35]
American Optical Company
1958
South Pacific
65 mm
2.28
2.066" × 0.906"
5 perfs, 2 sides
spherical
70 mm
2.21
1.912" × 0.87"
spherical
Cinemiracle [ 36]
National Theatres
1958
Windjammer
35 mm × 3 cameras (sides bounced off mirrors)
0.89 × 3 negatives
0.996" × 1.116"
6 perf, 2 sides at 26 frame/s
spherical
35 mm × 3 projectors (sides bounced off mirrors), with 6 perf pulldown
2.59, with 120° curved screen
0.985" × 1.088"
spherical
Super Technirama [ 28]
Technicolor
1959
Sleeping Beauty
35 mm
2.26
1.496" × 0.992"
8 perf, 2 sides, horizontally
1.5× anamorphic
70 mm
2.21
1.912" × 0.816"
spherical
Smith-Carney System [ 37]
Rowe E. Carney Jr. and Tom F. Smith
1959
Missouri travelogue
35 mm
4.69
0.839" × 0.370" (bottom half) and 0.449" × 0.370" (top quarters)
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical × 3
35 mm
4.69
three sub-frames projected to one 180° image
spherical × 3
Circular Kinopanorama / Circlorama [ 38]
E. Goldovsky
1959
The Path of Spring
35 mm × 11 cameras
1.37 × 11 negatives
0.866" × 0.630"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm × 11 projectors
360°
0.825" × 0.602"
spherical
Varioscope [ 39]
Jan Jacobsen
1959
Flying Clipper
65 mm
2.28
2.066" × 0.906"
5 perfs, 2 sides
spherical
70 mm
variable framing run through control signal
1.912" × 0.87"
spherical
Quadravision [ 40]
Ford Motor Company
1959
Design for Suburban Living showtent
? mm × 4 cameras
? × 4 negatives
spherical
? mm × 4 projectors
? (4 images in 2×2 configuration)
spherical
Techniscope [ 41]
Technicolor
1960
The Pharaoh's Woman
35 mm
2.33
0.868" × 0.373"
2 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
2.39
0.838" × 0.7"
2× anamorphic
Wonderama (Arc 120)[ 42]
Leon W. Wells
1960
Honeymoon
no standard
no standard
no standard
no standard
no standard
35 mm
2.50 with a 120° curved screen
0.931" × 0.698", with two half-images turned 90° and placed side-by-side
spherical × 2
Cine System 3 [ 43] [ 44]
Eric Berndt
1960
USAF and NASA usage
3 mm
1 perf, centered
spherical
Grandeur 70 [ 45]
20th Century Fox
1961
The King and I (re-release)
55 mm
2.55
1.824" × 1.430"
8 perfs, 2 sides
2× anamorphic
70 mm
2.21
1.912" × 0.87"
spherical
Cinerama 360 [ 42]
Cinerama Corporation
1962
Journey to the Stars
65 mm
1.00 (circle)
2.25" diameter circular image
10 perf, 2 sides
fisheye
70 mm
1.00 (circle)
2.25" diameter circular image
spherical
Super 8
Eastman Kodak
1965
unknown (amateur format)
8 mm
1.48
0.245" × 0.166"
1 perf, 1 side
spherical
8 mm
1.36
0.215" × 0.158"
spherical
Real Sound [citation needed ]
Kenner
1965
no standard
no standard
no standard
1 perf, 1 side
spherical
11.5 mm
1.33
0.172" × 0.129"
spherical
Double Super 8 [citation needed ]
Eastman Kodak
1965
unknown (amateur format)
16 mm
1.48
0.245" × 0.166"
1 perf, 1 side (using 16 mm film with twice as many perfs)
spherical
8 mm
1.36
0.215" × 0.158"
spherical
Single-8 [ 46]
Fujifilm
1966
unknown (amateur format)
8 mm
1.36
0.224" × 0.164"
1 perf, 1 side
spherical
8 mm
1.35
0.213" × 0.157"
spherical
Dimension 150 [ 47]
American Optical Company
1966
The Bible: In the Beginning
65 mm
2.28
2.066" × 0.906"
5 perfs, 2 sides
spherical
70 mm
2.21, with 150° curved screen
1.912" × 0.87", optically curved to compensate for the screen
spherical
Circle Vision 360 [ 38]
Disney
1967
America the Beautiful
35 mm × 9 cameras
1.37 × 9 negatives
0.866" × 0.630"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm × 9 projectors
360°
0.825" × 0.602"
spherical
8.75 mm [ 48]
Shanghai Film Projection Equipment Factory
1968
unknown (amateur format)
1 perf
spherical
8.75 mm
spherical
Astrovision[ 49]
Goto Optical
1969
65 mm
10 perf, 2 sides
spherical or fish-eye
70 mm
fish-eye (dome projection)
IMAX [ 50]
IMAX Corporation
1970
Tiger Child
65 mm
1.34
2.772" × 2.072"
15 perf, 2 sides, horizontally
spherical
70 mm, horizontal
1.31
2.692" × 2.056"
spherical
Super 16 mm film [ 7]
Rune Ericson
1970
Blushing Charlie
16 mm
1.66
0.493" × 0.292"
1 perf, 1 side
spherical
no standard, but often blown up to 35 mm
no standard
0.463" × 0.279" (full frame); 0.463" × 0.251" (framed for 1.85)
spherical
Pik-a-Movie [ 51]
Leon W. Wells
1972
no standard
no standard
no standard
no standard
no standard
70 mm, horizontal, 1 perf, 2 sides
1.48
0.245" × 0.166", 12 rows high, underneath 12 rows of optical sound
spherical
OMNIMAX [ 52]
IMAX Corporation
1973
Garden Isle
65 mm
1.34
2.772" × 2.072"
15 perf, 2 sides, horizontally
special fish-eye lenses optically centered 0.37" above film horizontal center line
70 mm, horizontal
1.31
2.692" × 2.056"
spherical, projected elliptically on a dome screen, 20 degrees below and 110 degrees above perfectly centered viewers
8/70 (Dynavision,Iwerks 870 )[ 53]
Dynavision
1973?
65 mm
1.37
2.031" × 1.484"
8 perf, 2 sides, 24 or 30 frame/s
spherical
70 mm
1.34
1.913" × 1.431"
spherical
Showscan [ 54]
Douglas Trumbull
1978
Night of Dreams
65 mm
2.28
2.066" × 0.906"
5 perfs, 2 sides, at 60 frame/s
spherical
70 mm, at 60 frame/s
2.21
1.912" × 0.87"
spherical
Polavision [ 55]
Polaroid Corporation
1978
unknown (amateur format)
8 mm
1.48
0.245" × 0.166"
1 perf, 1 side
spherical
8 mm
1.36
0.215" × 0.158"
spherical
Cinema 180 [ 56]
Omni Films
1979
Crazy Wheels
65 mm
2.28
2.066" × 0.906"
5 perfs, 2 sides, 30 frame/s
fisheye
70 mm
180°, on a dome
1.912" × 0.87"
fisheye
Super 35 [ 57]
Joe Dunton
1982
Dance Craze
35 mm
1.33
0.980" × 0.735"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
no standard
no standard
no standard
Circle Vision 200 [ 58]
Disney
1982
Impressions de France
35 mm × 5 cameras
1.37 × 5 negatives
0.866" × 0.630"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm × 5 projectors
6.85, on a 200° screen
0.825" × 0.602"
spherical
Swissorama 360 / Imagine 360 [ 59]
Ernst A. Heiniger
1984
Impressions of Switzerland
65 mm
360°
1.91" (outer edge), 1.20" (inner edge)
10 perf, 2 sides
360° × 35° extreme fisheye
70 mm
360°
360° × 35° extreme fisheye
Super Duper 8 /Max 8 /Super 8B [ 60] [ 61]
Mitch Perkins & Greg Miller
mid- 1980s
Sleep Always (2002)
8 mm
1.51
0.250" × 0.166"
1 perf, 1 side
spherical
8 mm
no standard
no standard
spherical
3-perf [ 62]
Rune Ericson
1987
Pirates of the Lake
35 mm
1.79
0.980" × 0.546"
3 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm
no standard
no standard
no standard
Super VistaVision [ 63]
Paramount
1989
The Ten Commandments (re-release)
35 mm
1.51
1.495" × 0.991"
8 perf, 2 sides, horizontal
spherical
70 mm
2.21
1.912" × 0.87"
spherical
Kinoton HDFS [ 64]
Kinoton
1990
no standard
no standard
no standard
no standard
no standard
35 mm
2.00
0.931" × 0.698"
1.5× anamorphic
IMAX Magic Carpet [ 65]
IMAX Corporation
1990
Flowers in the Sky
65 mm × 2 cameras
1.34
2.772" × 2.072"
15 perf, 2 sides, horizontally
spherical
70 mm, horizontal × 2 projectors
1.31 × 2 screens (one in front, one below)
2.692" × 2.056"
spherical
Iwerksphere [ 66]
Iwerks
1991
65 mm
1.37
2.031" × 1.484"
8 perf, 2 sides, 24 or 30 frame/s
fisheye
70 mm
1.34
1.913" × 1.431"
fisheye
IMAX HD [ 67]
IMAX Corporation
1992
Momentum
65 mm
1.34
2.772" × 2.072"
15 perf, 2 sides, horizontally, 48 frame/s
spherical
70 mm, horizontal
1.31
2.692" × 2.056"
spherical
Hexiplex [ 68]
(Australian)
1992
Expo '92 demo
35 mm × 6 cameras
1.37 × 6 negatives
0.866" × 0.630"
4 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm × 6 projectors
360°, with rotating screens and projectors
0.825" × 0.602"
spherical
Ultra Toruscope [ 56]
Mac McCarney
1992
35 mm × 3 cameras
1.37 × 3 negatives
0.866" × 0.630"
4 perf, 2 sides, at 30 frame/s
spherical
70 mm × 3 projectors, at 30 frame/s
360°
1.912" × 0.87"
spherical
Imagination FX 7012 [ 13]
Geo-Odyssey
1992?
35 mm
2.08
2.040" × 0.980"
12 perf, 2 sides, horizontal
spherical
70 mm
2.21
1.912" × 0.87"
spherical
Univisium [ 69]
Vittorio Storaro
1998
Tango
35 mm
2.00
0.945" × 0.472"
3 perf, 2 sides at 25 frame/s
spherical
35 mm
2.00
spherical
Maxivision [ 70]
Dean Goodhill
1999
35 mm
1.79
0.980" × 0.546"
3 perf, 2 sides
spherical
35 mm, 3 perf
1.85
spherical
Maxivision 48 [ 70]
Dean Goodhill
1999
35 mm
1.79
0.980" × 0.546"
3 perf, 2 sides, 48 frame/s
spherical
35 mm, 3 perf, 48 frame/s
1.85
spherical
Super Dimension 70 [ 71]
Robert Weisgerber
1999
65 mm
2.28
2.066" × 0.906"
5 perfs, 2 sides, at 48 frame/s
spherical
70 mm, at 48 frame/s
2.21
1.912" × 0.87"
spherical
FuturVision 360 [ 49]
65 mm
1.52
2.066" × 0.906"
5 perfs, 2 sides, 30 frame/s
1.5× vertical anamorphic
70 mm
1.47
1.912" × 0.87"
1.5× vertical anamorphic
Mini-Max [ 72]
Vistascope
35 mm
2.66
2 perf, 2 sides, 30 frame/s
spherical
35 mm
2.66
spherical
MotionMaster [ 73]
Omni Films
65 mm
2.28
2.066" × 0.906"
5 perfs, 2 sides, 30 frame/s
spherical
70 mm
2.21, on a curved screen
1.912" × 0.87"
spherical
Row-film [ 74]
R. Thun
35 mm
20 rows of images wide
spherical
spherical
Septorama [ 49]
? mm × 7 cameras
1.33 × 7 negatives
spherical
? mm × 7 projectors
hemispherical view
spherical
Single Cinerama [ 75]
Fred Waller
35 mm
curved gate
16 perf, 2 sides, horizontal
spherical
35 mm, horizontal
curved screen
spherical
Soviet 10 [ 76]
65 mm
10 perf, 2 sides
2× anamorphic
70 mm
2.09
1.890" × 1.811"
2× anamorphic
Vario-35 [ 76]
35 mm
spherical
35 mm
variable framing run through control signal
0.835" × 0.713" (full); 0.835" × 0.453" (1.84); 0.709" × 0.524" (1.35); 0.614" × 0.614" (1.00); 0.535" × 0.713" (0.75)
spherical
Vario-35A [ 76]
35 mm
35 mm
variable framing run through control signal
0.835" × 0.713"
variable anamorphic (2× for 2.35; 1.57× for 1.85; 1.17× for 1.37; 0.85× for 1.00; 0.64× for 0.75; 0.5× for 0.59)
Vario-70 [ 76]
65 mm
10 perfs, 2 sides
spherical
70 mm
variable framing run through control signal
1.890" × 1.811" (full); 1.890" × 0.803" (2.35); 1.673" × 0.906" (1.85); 1.441" × 1.051" (1.37); 1.232" × 1.232" (1.00); 1.063" × 1.429" (0.74); 0.945" × 1.604" (0.59); 0.839" × 1.811" (0.46)
spherical
Format
Creator
Est.
First known work
Negative gauge
Negative A/R[ 1]
Gate dims
Negative pulldown
Negative lenses
Projection gauge
Projection A/R[ 1]
Projection dims
Projection lenses
See also
Notes
^ a b c d e f Strictly speaking, aspect ratios for film are always expressed as the ratio of 1 and are formatted as x:y, e.g. 1.85:1. However, in the interest of formatting, the aspect ratios listed will assume the ratio of 1 and omit the :1 suffix.
^ Burns, R.W., Television: An International History of the Formative Years , p. 71, Institution of Electrical Engineers, 1991.
^ Scott, E. Kilburn, "The Career of L. A .A. Le Prince" , Adventures in Cybersound . Retrieved 2008-05-17.
^ Hiller, John. "Film History for the Public: The First National Movie Machine Collection", Film History , v. 11, n. 3, p. 373. Indiana University Press, 1999.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 3.
^ a b c Sherlock, p. 40.
^ a b Hummel, p. 16.
^ Sherlock, p. 5-6.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 4.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 5.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 6.
^ Sherlock, p. 6-7.
^ a b Sherlock, p. 59.
^ a b c Hummel, p. 10.
^ Hart, Cinerama Specs .
^ Hart, CinemaScope Specs and Of Apertures and Aspect Ratios .
^ Hart, Ultra Panavision, p. 1 .
^ a b Hart, VistaVision Specs .
^ Sherlock, p. 27.
^ a b Hart, SuperScope Specs .
^ Sherlock, p. 19-20.
^ a b Even after slowing down the frame rate from 30 to 24 frame/s, Todd AO productions retained the use of the same trade name on the 24 frame/s films. There is no difference between 24 frame/s Todd AO, Super Panavision, and what is otherwise referred to as standard 65/70 mm.
^ Hart, Todd A.O. Specs .
^ Hart, CinemaScope Specs .
^ Patrice-Hervé Pont, Jean Loup Princelle: 50 Ans de Caméras Françaises , Le Reve Édition, Ondreville-sur-Essonne, France, 2007, ISBN 2-9522521-3-0 , page 107
^ Patrice-Hervé Pont, Jean Loup Princelle: 50 Ans de Caméras Françaises , Le Reve Édition, Ondreville-sur-Essonne, France, 2007, ISBN 2-9522521-3-0 , --> page num 51
^ Patrice-Hervé Pont, Jean Loup Princelle: 50 Ans de Caméras Françaises , Le Reve Édition, Ondreville-sur-Essonne, France, 2007, ISBN 2-9522521-3-0 , --> page num 59
^ a b c Hart, Technirama Specs .
^ Sherlock, p. 58.
^ Hart, Thrillarama
^ Hart, Ultra Panavision Specs .
^ Sherlock, p. 31.
^ Hummel, p. 13.
^ Sherlock, p. 11-12.
^ Hummel, p. 17.
^ Hart, Cinemiracle Specs .
^ Hart, The Smith-Carney System .
^ a b Sherlock, p. 19.
^ Fromm, Gerhard. "The Work of Jan Jacobsen" , ..in 70 mm: The 70 mm Newsletter , Issue 57 (June 1999). Retrieved 2008-12-01.
^ Nilsen, Sarah Dawn. Projecting America: Films at the Brussels World's Fair of 1958 , p. 96. University of Southern California Press, 2000.
^ Hart, Techniscope Specs .
^ a b Sherlock, p. 18.
^ Nystrom
^ "Film Gauges" . Preservation Glossary . National Film and Sound Archive. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21.
^ Hart, CinemaScope, p. 6 .
^ "Viewpoint Japan", The British Journal of Photography , December 3, 1965, p. 1050.
^ Sherlock, p. 17-18.
^ Clark, Paul. The Chinese Cultural Revolution: A History , p. 146. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008.
^ a b c Sherlock, p. 37.
^ Hummel, p. 18.
^ "Pik-A-Movie" , British Kinematography Sound and Television , August 1973. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
^ Hummel, p. 18-19.
^ Hummel, p. 19.
^ Sherlock, p. 39
^ Giambarba, Paul. The Branding of Polaroid 1957–1977 , Chapter 18 , 2004-09-01. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
^ a b Aridi, Sal (July–December 2000). "Large Format Cinematography" . Operating Cameraman . Archived from the original on 2008-06-29.
^ Hummel, p. 11.
^ Sherlock, p. 20
^ Piccolin, Lukas. "All-Around Cinema" , in70mm.com, 2004-10-01. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
^ Vigeant, Phil. Technical schematic drawings of Max8 format, Pro8mm, 2005-11-09.
^ www.jelve.com. "Sleep Always lift article" . www.friendlyfirefilms.com .
^ Hummel, p. 20.
^ "Upcoming Re-release of Vertigo " , Los Angeles Times , 1996-06-16. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
^ Lobban, Grant. "Widescreen and 3D Formats Wallchart", BKSTS. [year unknown]
^ Schwartzberg, Schlomo. "IMAX: Oscar nominated Canadian company on the leading edge of technology" Archived 2009-02-15 at the Wayback Machine , Performing Arts and Entertainment in Canada , Spring 1993. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
^ Katz, Stephen Douglas. Film Directing Shot by Shot: Visualizing from Concept to Screen , p. 330. Michael Wiese Productions, 1991.
^ Naimark, "Giant Rectangular Screens".
^ Naimark, "Cylindrical Screens".
^ Storaro, Vittorio . Storaro's notes on Univision , date unknown. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
^ a b Hindes, Andrew. Sticking with 35mm , Variety , 1999-04-19. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
^ Weisgerber, Robert. Super Dimension 70: New 70 mm Process Demonstrated , in70mm.com, Issue 63 (March 2001). Retrieved 2008-05-17.
^ Lobban, Grant. "Film Gauges and Soundtracks Wallchart", BKSTS. [year unknown]
^ Motion Master [dead link ] , Screen Digest , October 1, 1995. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
^ Nystrom, sidebar.
^ Kimble, Greg. "This Is Cinerama!": Cinerama's 50th Anniversary, part 4 Archived 2008-04-01 at the Wayback Machine , in70mm.com, 2002-06-10. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
^ a b c d Sherlock, p. 58
References
Carr, Robert E. and Hayes, R. M., Wide Screen Movies. A History and Filmography of Wide Gauge Filmmaking . Mc Farland & Company, 1988.
Hart, Martin. American Widescreen Museum , 1996–2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
Herbert, Stephen and Luke McKernan, eds. Who's Who of Victorian Cinema , 1996–2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Hummel, Rob (editor). American Cinematographer Manual , 8th edition. Hollywood: ASC Press, 2001.
Naimark, Michael. Expo '92 Seville , Presence , Vol. 1, No. 3. MIT Press, Summer 1992. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Nystrom, J.E. History of sub-35mm Film Formats and Cameras , 1998–2001. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Sherlock, Daniel J. "Wide Screen Movies" Corrections , 1994–2004. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Further reading
Baumgarten, Martin W. 8 mm Film Gauges , 2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
de Vries, Tjitte. "Cinematographe Lumiere" a myth? Who invented the cinema? , 2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-22.
Eastman Kodak Corporation. 40 Years of Super 8 , 2005. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Eastman Kodak Corporation. Kodak Chronology of Motion Picture Films . 2003. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
eFilmCenter. Ultimate Table of Formats and Aspect Ratios , date unknown. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Fisher, David. Chronomedia , 1970–2006. Retrieved on 2006-10-22.
Hart, Douglas C. The Camera Assistant: A Complete Professional Handbook . Newton, Massachusetts: Focal Press, 1996.
Hauerslev, Thomas, ed. in70mm.com , 1985–2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Hayes, John. But First, a Brief History of Widescreen... Wide Screen Movies Magazine , Vol. 1, 2002. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Herbert, Stephen. Museum of the Moving Image , date unknown. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Horak, Jan-Christopher. Introduction to Film Gauges . UCLA Film and Television Archive, 2000. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Internet Movie Database Incorporated. Internet Movie Database , 1990–2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Jennings, Tom (editor). The Dead Media Project , 2001? Retrieved on 2006-10-22.
Kattelle, Alan. A Brief History of Amateur Film Gauges and Related Equipment, 1899–2001 , 2003. Retrieved on 2006-10-22.
Library of Congress, History of Edison Motion Pictures , date unknown. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
MCC Logical Designs. Technical Info . date unknown. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Mendrala, Jim. Aspect Ratio and Image Cutoff , 1994. Retrieved on 2006-10-22.
Munafo, Robert P. Film Formats at MROB , 1996–2008. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Musser, Charles. Edison film notes , 2005. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Naughton, Russell. Adventures in Cybersound , 1998–2003. Retrieved on 2006-10-22.
Newnham, Grahame. Pathefilm collecting , 2000–2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Norwood, Scott E. Film Tech FAQ , 1998. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Panavision Incorporated. Panavision: Technical Information: Aspect Ratio Overview , 2004. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Roepke, Martina and Henk Verheul. Ernemann film , 2002–2006. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Science Museum Group. Cinematography collection . Retrieved 2020-05-04.
ScreenSound Australia. Film Formats , date unknown. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
ScreenSound Australia. Film Gauges , date unknown. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Society of Camera Operators. Operating Cameraman Magazine , 1991–2005. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
UCLA Film and Television Archive. UCLA Film and Television Archive Terminology, Definitions, and Abbreviations List , 2004. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
unknown author. Formats 8 mm , 2004–2005. Retrieved on 2008-06-23.
Vigeant, Rhonda. Max 8 Press Release , 2005. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.
Westphal, Kyle. An Enlarged History of Magnascope , 2016. Retrieved on 2018-01-18
Wittmann, Armin Michael. One Long Image . Dissertation for the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, 1999. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.