Which Film?

It was very overwhelming. I was standing in the camera store in the film section trying to figure out the difference between 100 speed film and 800 speed film, color films, black-and-white films, and slide film. Before I was a scrapbooker I didn't pay much attention to what film I had in my camera. As my photography progressed, I began to pay more attention to different film speeds and different types of film and to experiment with my photography.

Film Speed
The film speed indicates sensitivity to light, expressed as an ISO-speed number (100, 200, 400, and 800 ISO). The higher the number, the more sensitive or "faster" the film; the lower the number, the less sensitive or "slower" the film. Sometimes the film speed can make the difference between a good photo and a bad one. While the faster films seem to be the better overall choice if you are unsure of your lighting conditions, using faster film comes with a price. The faster the film, the more "grainy" looking your prints will be. Essentially, you trade clarity for being able to take actions shots and photos in low light. When to use each film speed can be a little confusing! Here is a quick guide to help:

100 to 200 ISO - bright sun, close-up photos.
Pros: Crystal clear photographs.
Cons: not good for action shots (photos will turn out very blurry) or night-time photos (unless you use a flash)

400 to 800 ISO - any type of lighting situation, action shots.
Pros: Will work in lower light, and ideal for action shots.
Cons: "grainier" pictures

Color Film
Color film is probably the most popular type of film. There are several different manufacturers of color film, and each will produce different results. In my experience Fuji film will produce more vibrant colors. Kodak film will produce better skin tones. There are several other consumer films out there such as Polaroid and Konica and you can even get "generic" brand film from some of the larger discount chains. I recommend using several different brands and comparing the prints, and then choosing which film works best for you.

In addition to consumer film there are also professional color films that can be purchased by the everyday consumer, such as Kodak Portra, Fujicolor NPS 160, Fujicolor NPH 400, Agfa Portrait, and Konica Pro. Just like regular film each "professional grade" film will produce different results. The primary difference between professional films and "regular" film is color. The “pro” films produce more consistent colors, are more light sensitive and do not last as long on the shelf as regular film. Some professional films can be developed the same way as your regular film, using the C41 process. The films that cannot be developed using C41 will have to be sent to a professional lab and may be more expensive to process. You can purchase “pro” film from your local camera store or the internet.

Black-and-White Film
This type of film has become more available in the consumer market and is becoming more user-friendly. Black-and-white film comes in various speeds, just like color film, and each film speed will produce different results.

There are two basic types of black–and-white film: True and C41. The difference is in how it is processed. C41 film is developed using the same chemicals as regular color film. You can drop off C41 black-and-white film at your local processor, while true black-and-white film cannot be developed at your local lab. Like some of the “pro” films, it will need to be sent off and may cost a bit more to be processed.

One thing to remember when using black-and-white film is the lighting available and where it falls on your subject. For instance, you wouldn't want to take a picture with black–and-white film in full sunlight. The shadows will become even harsher. The best type of light is a diffused light. If you are outdoors you might want to shoot in open shade (no streams of sunlight). If you are indoors try shooting near the window. If the light is harsh you can hang a sheer curtain or sheet over the window. That will help reduce any harsh sunlight that may come through. You may not achieve the results you want on your first roll, but you will learn more about black-and-white film each time you use it.
Slide Film
When deciding to use slide film you must take into account where you will have your film processed, how you will present your slides, and how good your photography skills are. Not all one-hour labs are able to process your slides. If they can’t, again, you will need to send it off to a specialty lab for processing. Slide film is more expensive to process than regular color film because of the chemicals used. If you choose to use slide film you will most likely need a projector.

There are some labs that can make prints from your slides, but slide film is not as forgiving as regular color film. It is sort of a "What you see is what you get" type of experience. While most labs can tweak your color prints to help correct exposure and color, they will not be able to do that with your slides. Some photographers like the color that transparency films produce, both on the slide and in print. They can be really saturated with color and have high contrast. You might want to think about using slide film if you are planning on doing a slide show of a special trip or a presentation.

Which Film?
With all the different brands and speed of film it can be confusing to find the one you like the best. Why not do your own comparison?

• Buy several different brands and speeds. (To save money, try to find rolls with only 12 exposures.)
• Use the same lighting conditions.
• Use the same camera and camera settings.
• Document which roll you are using by photographing the film box at the beginning of each roll.
• Don’t rule out a film choice without trying different processors. Not all photo labs are created equal and some will do a better job at processing the true colors in your photographs.

Once you have your film developed, compare each picture. What do you like, what don't you like? Is the color too rich? too flat? Hopefully after your analysis you will find the brand and speed that give you the results you are looking for.

Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when choosing films. Take a chance and experiment!

Shop at the Scrapbook.com Superstore for all your Scrapbooking Supplies!
Enjoy 5-Star service, HUGE selection and LOW prices!
Click here to start shopping!