Film?

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visanic

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OK, I just bought my dream camera: a used M6 in great condition.

I'm not new to photography, but I haven't shot film since 80's.

Can anyone give me some suggestions for good films (both color and b/w)?

I bought 1 roll of Velvia 50 because I've heard so much about it being great for landscapes, etc.

But how about some other ones?

Are there any websites that show examples?

Thanks-
 
My favorite color slide film is Velvia 100F because it's great for landscape/nature AND people. Many of us here are enjoying the Kodak Ektar 100 color negative film too.
For black and white my favorite film is Fuji Neopan 400. Very nice grain and tonality, plus it scans well. Many people also like good old Kodak Tri-X.
Look in the gallery here. Most of us mention the film we used in the technical details.
Enjoy!
 
For general photo taking, I usually end up using the off-the-shelf Fuji color negative films, mostly 200, 400, and 800. I will use 100 and 1600 occasionally. These films are very forgiving if exposure is not perfect, and if your light is mixed or non-daylight.

I use Kodachrome and Fuji Astia as special occasion films.
 
I often search on flickr for different examples of film or camneras, as well as checking the manufacturers websites.
 
It's a very subjective choice and can depend on the subjects you shoot. I just picked up a couple of rolls of prints I shot in Mexico on Portra VP. The colors are lovely, my wife raved about the colors. For slides I like Velvia 100F.
 
Hitchhiker's Guide to Film Photography

Chapter 11: Which film is "the"?

For B&W, ease into it with C-41 monochrome films, Kodak BW400CN or Ilford XP2. Both can be developed by a minilab near you. The Kodak one is harder to print using enlarger because it has a built-in orange filter, the Ilford doesn't. But if you're scanning, it matters not.

When you've tasted the goodness of film, and were ready to wade deeper into the pool, treat yourself to DIY film-developing, for B&W it's easier done than said. Then re-ask this question again with a whole slew of new film options to explore, the mantra? Tri-X and Rodinal, can't beat the original.

For colors, any cheap pharmacy re-labeled Fuji or Ferrania is fine. Those who said otherwise, need to re-learn proper metering (I did).

For special occasions, get some fresh Portra or the new Ektar. Use slides sparingly because they are more expensive, unless you have an uncle owning an E-6 lab or an old, very rich, and single uncle who considers you a favorite.

On ultra-special occassions (like your rich-uncle's birthday), buy a roll of Kodachrome and send it to Dwayne's either directly or through Walmart, then prepare to be blown away by the results.
 
Any film.

That's right: any. You can shoot the cheap Wal-Mart film or the expensive professional slide films. What matters most is your eye. (Come to think of it, exposure is pretty important, too! :p)

I love all of Kodak's films--from their cheap Gold 200 to their top-of-the-line Kodachrome. My favourite colour neg film is Porta 160NC and my favourite reversal film is Ektachrome E100G.

I've had a lot of experience with Fuji's line of films as well. They certainly have their own unique looks! I like shooting Reala 100, and Velvia 50 and 100F.

But my favourite film of all time is Tri-X. No holds barred.
 
FA Limited said:
explain please :confused:
Click to expand...

I used to look down on cheap re-labeled pharmacy brands. I thought they are inferior to "real" brand name films because the results are grainy, and the colors are muddy.

It turns out that my sloppy manual metering is the culprit. Later I used those same film in AE mode (on my more modern cameras like Alpha 5, Nikon F3), and the results are amazing.

Conclusion, I had to re-learn how to meter correctly (or more patiently to be more specific) using manual cameras.
 
Thanks everyone for your informative and funny responses.

Another question: Can "slide" films be processed at places like Sam's Club etc., or do they have to be sent out to labs that specialize in that?
 
I would suggest sending your slide film to a pro lab. Negative films have a lot less contast, and then regain the contrast in the printing. That's what makes the camera exposure less critical. The colors can also be corrected in printing. Slide film requires perfect exposure and processing, and a knowledge of what filters to use when you shoot under varying lighting conditions.
 
Tri-X / Neopan 400PR / 1600PR: BW
Portra 160 NC / 400UC: color print
KR64 / Velvia 50 / Provia 400X / E100VS: color slides
 
Slow B&W: Agfa APX100 (it is still available in rebranded form), Efke 25/50/100
Fast B&W: Tri-X 400 or Fuji Neopan 400
Ultra-fast B&W: Fuji Neopan 1600

For color negatives, the consumer-grade Kodak films are usually good enough for me; Fuji 1600 is a decent ultra-fast.
 
I like the consumer grade Kodak 200. Between Walgreens, CVS, K-Mart, Walmart, etc SOMEBODY usually has 4 or 5 roll packs on sale at cheap prices, like about $1.25 to $1.50 per 24 exp. roll. It handles mixed lighting better than the pro films.

Tri-X for B&W.
 
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