Which film to choose?
Although analog photography has a marginal status these days, it is still being filmed and is still being taken to development centers in photo centers. Professional photographers have not abandoned analog technology, which in some types of shooting does not have an equivalent alternative - landscape and interior photography, art photography. For amateur photographers, the film opens up new horizons for creative search.
It is indicative of the fact that many film enthusiasts come to her, taking on the "figure" . They will name many reasons: the ability to change the “matrix” with each coil, the depth / volume of the film image, and mechanical reliability. The choice of an analog camera is a complex issue and requires separate consideration, taking into account the format of the camera and the price level. In the meantime, we will focus on the issue that combines analog cameras of any class and manufacturer.
The 120th film is sold in reels with a protective raccord - a paper tape that covers the film along its entire length, protecting it from light. This design has been used since the 20s of the XX century. Then many cameras did not have a frame counter. Their countdown was made by the viewing window on the rear wall of the chamber, closed by red glass. Additional protection against exposure was provided by paper raccord.
In addition to the 120th type, some medium-format cameras can work with film of the 220th type. Its difference is twice the length of the film (respectively, and the number of frames). Now you can buy such a film only in Western online stores.
If you want to photograph on black-and-white film, but do not want to work with solutions and containers, opt for the chromogenic film, which appears in photocenters according to the standard laboratory process S-41. "Pseudo-white" films are convenient for beginners and allow you to get a consistently high-quality result. Having a very high photographic latitude, they are optimal for genre shooting, when there is often simply no time to accurately determine the exposure. Like color negatives, chromogenic b / w film has an almost indistinguishable grain, but there is one important nuance: photos should also be printed as with color negatives (manual printing on black and white paper will not bring high-quality results). An exception is the Illford XP2 Super, which has been developed with manual optical printing.
For artistic tasks, professional photographers shooting on b / w prefer a classic film on silver halogen crystals. As a rule, it manifests itself manually. There are also films on flat (T-Grain) crystals. Many prefer time-tested options and argue that T-Grain give a "plastic" tone. But this judgment is hardly justified. After all, the most modern Illford Delta 400 and Kodak T-Max 100 on flat crystals are not inferior in terms of drawing Illford HP5 or Kodak Tri-X, which were loved by great photographers of the past.
Ultra-high-resolution films include Gigabitfilm, Adox and domestic Tasma FN64. A feature of the most common of them is Gigabitfilm - the included container with a special developer. When using high-quality optics (Leica, Contax G-series), the film easily produces a resolution of 300 lines per millimeter. Not every scanner can pull out all the details, but manual printing allows you to get permission at the medium format level.
For shooting in the IR range with the appropriate filter on the lens, only Rollei Infrared films can be found on sale. The "non-standard" films of the orthochromatic type (insensitive when developing to the light of the red light) and the Kodachrome slide, into the emulsion of which the dyes get in the process of development, are no longer in use.
Color negative films, like black and white, are distinguished by excellent photographic latitude. Unlike a slide, they are economical to use and easy to scan. Slide - out of competition due to excellent color rendering, lack of grain and unattainable for negative film and detail figures. At the same time, it is inferior to negative in terms of dynamic range, extremely demanding on the accuracy of exposure, and its development is often more expensive than the film itself. In professional shooting of landscapes, interiors, a widescreen slide, there are still no analogues.
The VC or C index on the packaging from the negative film indicates increased saturation and contrast, NC or S indicates a more neutral one. Slide films also differ in color reproduction, but this difference is more global, separating individual brands of slide film (for example, super-saturated Fujichrome Velvia and realistic Provia). Most slide films are designed for the temperature of daylight / pulsed light, and when shooting indoors they have to be used with conversion filters. Slide films optimized for indoor lighting are sometimes found on sale (Kodak Ektachrome 64T).
Color films
Fujichrome Astia 100F
rollei 400 retro
Film formats
Today, on sale you can find films of the following formats: * Narrow format. Type 135. Perforated film for narrow-film cameras in cassettes, designed for 36 frames with a size of 24 x 36 mm. There are cassettes with amateur film, designed for fewer frames. Some 35 mm professional films can be bought “in bulk” in rolls for self-packing on cartridges. * Medium format. Type 120 (roll film). A 56 mm wide film (without perforation) has a fixed length for 16 frames 42.5 x 56 mm, 12 frames 56 x 56 mm, or 10 frames 56 x 70 mm. The frame size depends on the type of camera (66, 645 or 67), and the most common medium format is a square frame of 56 x 56 mm. * Wide format. Sheet film for large format cameras (9 x 12 or 13 x 18 cm). The easiest way to find a 35 mm film is on sale. There may be problems with the roll film, and sooner or later even with the residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg they will have problems with the purchase of sheet film. Western web shops www.adorama.com and www.bhphotovideo.com come to the rescue .Kodak Portra 160 NC
Kodak Portra 160 VC
Sensitivity
Sensitivity is expressed in units of the international standard - ISO. A film of 100 units is optimal for shooting on a sunny day, 50 units - work in the studio. Indoor films suitable for 400 or 800 units. With an increase in sensitivity, image detail decreases and graininess increases, which is usually considered a drawback. But high detail is not always needed. Unlike noise on digital cameras, the noble grain of black and white films is often used for artistic purposes. For example, the Rollei R3 film has large beautiful grain.Illford fp4
Illford delta 400
Illford delta 3200
Types of film
Which film to buy - color or black and white? The answer lies in the plane of personal preferences and creative tasks of the photographer. There are a great many films that differ in tonality, contrast, grain size and shape, thickness of the substrate. In a general approximation, the existing films can be divided into several types:| Process | Intraspecific differences | Exceptions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black and white negative | D-76 (traditional) | Panochromatic / Orthochromatic | Infrared |
| C-41 (Chromogenic) | Type of emulsion - classic or t-grain | Ultra high resolution | |
| Colored | S-41 (Negative) | For daylight / artificial light | |
| E-6 (slide) | Live / Neutral Colors | slide films developed by the original process (e.g. Kodachrome) |
Shooting on chromogenic b / w film. © usernamezero
Shooting on a traditional b / w film. © usernamezero
Kodak T-Max 100
Illford HP5 Plus
Illford PanF 50 Plus
Reversible color film shooting (slide).
Shooting on color negative film.
Transportation and storage
Dear professional films, especially color films, are usually very demanding on storage conditions, and finding a refrigerator for them away from home is not always possible. For trips to hot countries or hiking, you can stay at the intermediate option (for example, Fujicolor Superia Reala). It should also be noted that when transporting unremarked / undeveloped films at airports during inspection, radiation from X-ray scanners can lead to partial damage to the films. It is difficult to avoid such a check, but it is possible to reduce the impact if films are carried as part of hand luggage, and not in baggage, where the radiation is much higher. Producers are advised to develop footage as quickly as possible. But this, of course, is far from always possible. It is recommended to store the film in the refrigerator.Top 20 Most Popular Films
Black and white films: * Kodak T-Max BW 400CN is manifested in the laboratory process C-41. The most versatile b / w film. At a nominal sensitivity of 400 units, it allows you to shoot in the ISO 25–800 range, while maintaining the standard development mode. Thanks to such an impressive photo latitude, it forgives almost any misses of the exposition. * Illford PanF 50 Plus is ideal for studio portraits, close-ups, long-exposure landscapes. It is quite contrasting and fine-grained, has a unique “soft” tonality. Fine-grained Illford Perceptol developer and one-step pool process (ISO 25) will further enhance “softness”. * Kodak T-Max 100 is suitable for everyday shooting. High contrast and contour sharpness, fine grain, beautiful hard pattern. Manifestation is recommended in the "native" T-Max or D-76. * Fuji Neopan Acros 100. Good tonal transmission and high photographic latitude are combined with moderate contrast, but the film is inferior to the brothers in detail. It gives a good result in combination with Illford Microphen in concentrations up to 1 + 3. "Accelerates" to ISO 400. * Rollei Retro 100 - a film for portraits. Contrast, but with a pleasant tone and fine grain. Manufactured by Maco for Rollei. Disadvantages: thin substrate and high curl, but the result is worth the effort. Developer - D-76, Maco LP-Cube, any liquid from Kodak. thin substrate and high curl, but the result is worth the effort. Developer - D-76, Maco LP-Cube, any liquid from Kodak. thin substrate and high curl, but the result is worth the effort. Developer - D-76, Maco LP-Cube, any liquid from Kodak.Kodak T-Max BW 400CN
Fuji Neopan Acros 100
Fomapan 100
- Fomapan 100 is a Czech film, which, due to its low price, is loved by aspiring photographers. Contrast, but has too high a grain for such sensitivity and inexpressive tonal pattern. For development, the optimal liquid Fomadon LQN is optimal.
- Illford FP4. Nominal sensitivity 125 units. Pleasant tonality makes this film a good choice for portraits. A fine-grained developer, Perceptol Liquid Maco Supergrain, is recommended.
- Fortepan 200 is a cheap Hungarian-made b / w film with a large and very beautiful grain, rich in tonality. Moderately contrasting, with good detail. Disadvantages - some negligence of watering the emulsion and high curl.
- The great photographers of the past loved the Kodak TRI-X 400 very much. It features high contrast and a "classic" pattern. Developed best with Kodak Liquid Developers. If it is necessary to emphasize the grain, the "classic" development method works: TRI-X + Rodinal.
- Illford HP5 Plus is another film on which many masterpieces have been shot. High sharpness, beautiful and rather large grain. Nominal sensitivity 400 units. Traditionally used for the push process (up to 1600 units).
- Illford Delta 400. A modern universal film on flat crystals, optimal for various artistic tasks. Unlike the Delta 100, it has high contrast and a tough pattern. Push process up to 1600 units. Developer - D-76 / ID-11.
- The Illford Delta 3200 combines the latest four-layer flat crystal emulsion with beautiful grain. The nominal sensitivity is 1250 units. As a developer, brand Microphen is recommended. The film is designed for push processing. Depending on the development mode, it can be used in the range of 800–12800 ISO.
- Rollei R3 has a large beautiful grain and bypasses the Delta 3200 in such characteristics as sharpness and contrast. It is found with a sensitivity of 400 and 800 units. The best result for pushing is one or two steps.
Fujichrome Astia 100F
Fujichrome Provia 100F
Fujichrome Velvia 100F
- Fujicolor Superia Reala. Color negative film with a sensitivity of 100 units, ideal for use away from home. Provides the correct color reproduction and high detail, suitable for various scenes, undemanding to storage conditions.
- Kodak Portra 160 NC / VC. One of the most popular negative films for shooting people. There are options with neutral (NC) and "live" (VC) color reproduction, but only one of them (NC) allows you to get a stable result.
- Fujicolor Pro 400H. Color negative film, which allows you to get excellent results when shooting portraits in low light conditions. It has high contrast.
- Fujichrome Velvia 100F is a well-known slide film that has earned recognition for its rich color reproduction. The new version, which replaced the Velvia 50, has more natural colors. It copes well with shooting at slow shutter speeds (several minutes without upsetting the color balance). Soft tonality, good dynamic range for the slide.
- Fujichrome Provia 100F. It is believed that this film gives more natural colors than Velvia. However, at slow shutter speeds, there is a departure in cold tones. When scanning on inexpensive scanners gives a better result than Velvia.
- Fujichrome Astia 100F was created for portrait and fashion shooting. It has a neutral color rendering, moderate contrast, somewhat inferior to fellow members of the Fujichrome family in detail.
- Kodak Ektachrome E100G is popular with professional photographers. It has a large photo width for the slide, natural color rendition and low contrast. The transmission of skin tones is not inferior to Astia. Version E100-GX has a warmer color reproduction and is often used when shooting people.
