4x4 Medium Format Film Photography

4×4 Medium Format Film Photography

Compact | Vintage | Charming

127 Format

Craig Fouché Photography continues to explore the unique character of 127 film, celebrating one of photography’s most distinctive vintage formats through carefully crafted analogue images. The 127 format, affectionately known as Superslide, is one of film photography’s most charming rarities — a small yet elegant square frame that continues to captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike. Measuring 4×4 cm, it’s the baby version of the classic 6×6 format and shares much of its compositional balance, only in a more compact and playful frame.

I shoot the 127 format using the Baby Rolleiflex and Yashica 44, both exquisite examples of mid-century engineering. These cameras, though modest in size, deliver the signature character and tonal richness that made their larger siblings legendary. With 12 exposures per roll, the experience of shooting 127 film is unhurried and deliberate — a celebration of the tactile joy of photography, framed in miniature perfection.

Although long considered obsolete, the format has seen a quiet revival among dedicated film enthusiasts. Companies like Shanghai GP3 100 continue to produce dedicated rolls of black-and-white film, while boutique manufacturers hand-cut and re-spool other film stocks to 127 dimensions. One standout is Rera Pan 400, produced by Ezox in Japan — a high-speed monochrome film that offers remarkable flexibility and tonal depth for such a compact format.

Shooting 127 film feels like holding a piece of photographic history in your hands. It’s a format that invites curiosity and experimentation, a reminder of the era when innovation met elegance in every frame. On social platforms, a small yet passionate international community celebrates its legacy — and even hosts an annual 127 Day, a light-hearted global tribute to this endearing format.

For me, 127 photography is about joy. It’s a chance to step away from the grand precision of large-format cameras and rediscover the spontaneity of image-making. Each frame carries a playful nostalgia, an echo of simpler times when craftsmanship met curiosity and film was a medium of wonder.

The 127 format stands as a testament to photography’s enduring diversity — proof that even the smallest negatives can leave a lasting impression.

Rediscover the Joy

The 127 format reminds me that photography doesn’t always have to be about precision, complexity or the pursuit of perfection. Sometimes the greatest pleasure comes from working with a beautifully engineered camera, a roll of film that few people still use, and the simple excitement of seeing what twelve carefully composed frames will become.

The Baby Rolleiflex and Yashica 44 continue to prove that creativity is never measured by the size of the negative. They remind us that photography is, above all else, meant to be enjoyed.

Film is not a relic. It’s a living medium—and in a world of automation and artificiality, it stands as a quiet rebellion.

Film is still very much alive. And so is the craft.

Explore the Collection

Discover the Fine Art Film Collection — a curated body of work that invites viewers and collectors alike to experience the grandeur of Africa’s landscapes through the expansive lens of medium & large format film.

Film is not a relic. It’s a living medium — and in a world of automation and artificiality, it stands as a quiet rebellion.

Film is still very much alive. And so is the craft.

View My Fine Art Film Collection