Films available and their uses

thisispants · Jul 26, 2009

Hi...new to film. Just wondering if there is a list of available films and their strengths/weaknesses and general uses available? I think it'd be pretty handy.

keithwms · Jul 26, 2009

If you visit the manufacturer's pages you will find descriptions of typical uses for each film, including all their technical characteristics. You could also visit the galleries and see what people use for various subjects.

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/producttype.asp?n=3&t=Consumer+&+Professional+Films

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/films/color_reversal_films/

http://www.macodirect.de/

etc.

Overall it is a very personal decision what to use for what subject and how to process it, And there are several holy wars that flare up now and then; e.g. t-grained versus traditional, c41 versus e6, staining vs. nonstaining developers.... the subject of developers and developing technique gets hashed and rehashed quite often. Best thing you can do is get busy experimenting

jamesgignac · Jul 26, 2009

This will either evoke long and helpful responses or comments like mine...not really knowing how to respond. Hopefully it's the former.

Do you have any ideas in mind for what you'd like to start shooting first? What format would you be starting with, 35mm? What sort of material are you interested in taking photos of, portraits, arcitecture...? Maybe that would give us a place to start at least.

There's lots of film out there!

Nikanon · Jul 26, 2009

Thats a pretty broad question. Film emulsions are a many different combinations of different types of silver halides suspended in gelatin that react to light. Films can vary based on ISO, Brand, and Name, to name a few. No film has any strength or weakness except what the photographer desires. There is no right and wrong in photography so its best to get that idea out of your head and just spend your time finding what you need. What you need to learn with photography is what is right for you, especially with films, a film may be chosen because of one shot, or a filter may be desired due to visualization, its all situational. Yes a basic list of films will be helpful, but your not looking for pros and cons your looking for types of results. You will fully understand these more if you learn about the characteristics of film in its logarithmic curve and its spectral sensitivity. Personally i have to go to work now and don't have time to type anything major out so i thought id just give you a small heads up.

David A. Goldfarb · Jul 26, 2009

There have been such lists, but they usually go out of date fairly quickly as new films are introduced (yes, there are still new films introduced) and old films are discontinued.

Best to think about what you want in general terms--B&W or color, negative or transparency, what format, what speed--then go to one of the major suppliers that carries most of the films available, like B&H or Freestyle or Samy's or Adorama, etc., to see what's currently available, and then search on APUG for discussions of the particular films that satisfy your basic criteria.

wogster · Jul 26, 2009

thisispants said:
Hi...new to film. Just wondering if there is a list of available films and their strengths/weaknesses and general uses available? I think it'd be pretty handy.

Black and White or colour?
negative or reversal?
What format? 35mm, 120, Large Format?
Outdoors on bright sunny days, outdoors on not so bright days, indoors, low light, etc.

There are still hundreds of films out there, so you need to narrow it down a little.

MattKing · Jul 26, 2009

Here is some advice that will apply better when Sean completes his upgrade of the Gallery here on APUG.

Become a subscriber here and start wandering through the Gallery. Many of the photos posted have the film used listed in the information that accompanies them.

As you review the photos, you will probably find that you will like some more than others. Observe what films are used by photographers whose work you like and you may notice some trends.

Matt

P.S. Happy Birthday Sean

Shangheye · Jul 26, 2009

MattKing said:
Here is some advice that will apply better when Sean completes his upgrade of the Gallery here on APUG.

Become a subscriber here and start wandering through the Gallery. Many of the photos posted have the film used listed in the information that accompanies them.

As you review the photos, you will probably find that you will like some more than others. Observe what films are used by photographers whose work you like and you may notice some trends.

Matt

P.S. Happy Birthday Sean

That is perfect advice...it is how I have settled on my combinations. The only qualification is if you don't do your own developing, the results may be different from your lab...Kal

Ektagraphic · Jul 26, 2009

Kodak has a list of it's Ektachromes here. http://wwwcaen.kodak.com/global/plu...l/products/films/eFamily/eFilmEuroleaflet.pdf For more, you can also look through www.Kodak.com/go/professional

StorminMatt · Jul 27, 2009

MattKing said:
Become a subscriber here and start wandering through the Gallery. Many of the photos posted have the film used listed in the information that accompanies them.

Just keep in mind that what you see in the gallery are going to be SCANS of films. Looking at a scan is NEVER going to be the same as looking at a film 'live in person'. So this is no substitute for either experimentation or looking at someone else's shots by traditional means.

MattKing · Jul 27, 2009

StorminMatt said:
Just keep in mind that what you see in the gallery are going to be SCANS of films. Looking at a scan is NEVER going to be the same as looking at a film 'live in person'. So this is no substitute for either experimentation or looking at someone else's shots by traditional means.

I agree with Matt on this

I would point out, however, that my original suggestion was oriented toward helping you define what types of photography you like, and the qualities of those photographs. Once you've got a sense of that, it becomes easier for you to get answers as to what films will get you where you want to go (by seeing what others use for that purpose).

Matt

Films available and their uses

thisispants

keithwms

jamesgignac

Nikanon

David A. Goldfarb

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wogster

MattKing

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Shangheye

Ektagraphic

StorminMatt

MattKing

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Films available and their uses

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