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Film Photography Help

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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
My dad has some old film cameras lying around from when he was into photography before digital. One is a Pentax K1000 and the other is a Nikon F-Mount body (not exactly sure what kind, but I'll find out). What I'm interested in is what kind of film to buy, what the best way to get it developed is etc. There is nowhere to get it done locally, so I'll have to send it somewhere.
May 18 2011 6:24PM
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.Max.
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 701
First of all, the K1000 is a badass camera. I have it and love it. I usually shoot with a 55mm f/1.2. Second I most recently have been using Kentmere 400iso 36exp black and white film and I really like it. It has really nice contrast and little noise.

As far as getting film developed, I do it myself. So I am of no help there.

Good luck with your new endeavor.
May 18 2011 7:10PM
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michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
If you want to shoot color try

Kodak Ektar
Kodak Portra
Fujicolor Pro

Those are all professional grade color films that you could just get developed at your local CVS/Walgreens/etc. They can even scan them there for you. It's not going to be the greatest development and definitely not a good scan, but it's quick and local.

And for black and white I only have experience with Ilford but it's treated me really well.

Also stay away from "Transparency" or "Slide" film right now, the benefits to it do not outweigh the cost. Especially if you're just starting out.
May 18 2011 7:52PM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
another person for ilford if youre shooting black and white. i havent tried many others though but i know kodak was definitely lower quality and a bit more expensive.

May 18 2011 8:29PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Alright thanks. I've been into digital for a while, and I really want to try film. And as for the K1000 being a tank, tell me about it. My dad's is from when it first came out in the 70s, and it's still perfect.
May 18 2011 10:36PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 428
I shoot almost exclusively Ilford for B&W, but Kodak TMAX is arguably a better film than Delta. It's definitely the best B&W 4x5 film that I know of.
May 18 2011 11:38PM
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T-Wash
Posts: 1656 - Karma: 37
For C-41 I'm a big fan of CVS/Walgreens 200 film. It's cheap as shit and has great contrast without overdoing it. Plus it's a pretty lenient over/under exposing. Other C-41 films I am a fan of are Portra 160VC/NC and Ektar 100. For B&W I'm a huge fan of Ilford Hp5 and TMAX 400. Slide film/E-6 is definitely something you should try once you're comfortable with exposing correctly since E-6 usually has a less forgiving exposure latitude. I prefer Provia 100f and Velvia 100f.
May 19 2011 12:16AM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
So from what I gather a lot depends on the film rather than development, image quality wise.
May 19 2011 12:21AM
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ImNotARacist
Posts: 5136 - Karma: -1,030
Not quite. Image quality with film is always going to be 100x better than digital. To control your grain it depends on the film intensity. 100 ISO = very soft grain and as you raise your film sensitivity the grain gets more harsh and dramatic.

I would stick to black and white and find a good place to develop closely. Look around for some portrait studios and see if they would be willing to print for you.


I would go with 35 mm 100 or 400 ISO depending on what you want to shoot. Landscape? 100 ISO. harsh shadow with tons of detail, 400 ISO.

Kodak Tmax B&W
May 19 2011 12:49AM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
So change in ISO will actually change the nature of the film? With digital, higher ISO means more noise, but that's not the case with film?
May 19 2011 1:01AM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 428
You get more grain (and sometimes contrast) with higher ISO film. Film grain doesn't look nearly as bad as digital noise, though.
May 19 2011 1:09AM
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ImNotARacist
Posts: 5136 - Karma: -1,030
Yeah It can be used to your advantage to really control the mood of a photo. If you can afford to buy chemicals and read up on making a home dark room I highly suggest it. Although enlargers are damn expensive. There is so much control in processing film its retarded.
May 19 2011 1:21AM
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