Which film to buy

IndioInMrica · Feb 8, 2021

I have a 35mm film camera that has been on shelf for what seems to be an eternity. I'd like to start shooting some film, mostly at home to begin with. However I have no idea which film to buy. Any suggestions(B/W and color film) for a noob.

Sirius Glass · Feb 8, 2021

I recommend starting with Kodak Tri-X 400 or Ilford HP5+ 400 for black & white and Kodak Portra 400 for color prints. Then look at the results and depending on what you want, we can guide you from there.

Huss · Feb 8, 2021

Yup Tri-X or HP5 for B&W, colour Fuji C200. It gives excellent results and no need to pay the big $$ for Kodak Portra 400 when you're starting out.

Andrew O'Neill · Feb 8, 2021

IndioInMrica · Feb 8, 2021

What do you all think about Ektar. I recall using it once but then never got the roll developed and now I can't find it.

So HP5 for B/W and Superia 400 or Portra 400 for color

wjlapier · Feb 8, 2021

I wouldn't spend a lot of money on film until you're sure you want to shoot film more. I'd experiment with cheapest color and probably TriX400 for black and white. Cheap color is going to be either consumer Fuji or Kodak. I'd stay away from odd films and long expired color film so you can see the colors without color cast. Myself, I would shoot Fujicolor Superia Xtra 400 for the speed. After a few rolls then try other films and find the color you like then invest in a large purchase. Nothing worse than buying a bunch of film and not liking the color.

What camera are you using?

IndioInMrica · Feb 8, 2021

wjlapier said:
I wouldn't spend a lot of money on film until you're sure you want to shoot film more. I'd experiment with cheapest color and probably TriX400 for black and white. Cheap color is going to be either consumer Fuji or Kodak. I'd stay away from odd films and long expired color film so you can see the colors without color cast. Myself, I would shoot Fujicolor Superia Xtra 400 for the speed. After a few rolls then try other films and find the color you like then invest in a large purchase. Nothing worse than buying a bunch of film and not liking the color.

What camera are you using?

Agree, won't buy packs instead will buy 1 of each to try out.
I feel like a poser, it is a Leica M6

Paul Howell · Feb 8, 2021

I must the odd guy out on this one. I would start with an inexpensive film, from Photowarehouse Ultrafine extreme 400 in a few short rolls 24 exposures for color Kodacolor 200. Ektar is a really good film, but for best results needs to be refrigerated as does Porta. From your ID my guess is that you live in Indo, if so where can you get for film developed, in home or is that a lab in your area, if not where are going to send it? CVS and Walgreens send film off but the negatives are not returned. If you send out for developing another reason to use Koda or Fuji color is that as slow as the mail is these days I would use a film that does not need to refrigerated.

voceumana · Feb 8, 2021

Are you going to develop and print yourself or use a photolab? If a photolab, go for color prints; if you are doing it yourself, use B&W--Ilford HP5+ is as good a place to start as any.

MattKing · Feb 8, 2021

IndioInMrica said:
I have a 35mm film camera that has been on shelf for what seems to be an eternity. I'd like to start shooting some film, mostly at home to begin with. However I have no idea which film to buy. Any suggestions(B/W and color film) for a noob.

I'm impressed by your patience. You have been a member here for almost 4.5 years, but you are just starting again to shoot some film!
Assuming that you are going to have a lab develop your film, I'd suggest asking your lab for advice. See if you can engage them with a discussion about what you want to try to do.
Try to approach this with an eye to having fun and discovering stuff. You might just do so.
If you are fortunate to have a good local store to buy from, consider engaging with them. Their prices may be a bit higher than other options, but they will be a lot more fun.
For me, the choices would be T-Max 400 for black and white, and Portra 400 for colour negative, and Ektachrome 100 for slides.

narsuitus · Feb 8, 2021

Will you buy your film locally or online?

Where will you have your film processed?

Does your film processor sell film?

cptrios · Feb 8, 2021

If I may chime in as someone who was in a similar boat to you five months ago - I agree with everyone who says to go for the more inexpensive/flexible stuff at first. HP5 would be the flexible side, and Kentmere 100 would be my suggestion for the inexpensive. In color, Pro Image 100 is fairly cheap (though it went up with the rest of Kodak's films) and I prefer it over Gold.

This is another one of those threads that saddens me, though, since several of the films mentioned in it have been impossible to find for ages. C200 and Superia, nowhere to be found (unless you want to pay through the nose from an Amazon seller). I really want to try the Ultrafine films, but the only forms available on their website at the moment are a 100' roll of 100 and 12exp rolls of 400! Hopefully post-pandemic (whenever that is) production can ramp up again.

film_man · Feb 9, 2021

Get a roll of Portra 400. You can shoot it as if it was ISO 100 all the way to ISO 800 and you won't tell the difference.

I'd be more concerned about where to get it dev/scanned vs what film to use. In my opinion, if the end result is primarily scans then find a lab that does the scan bit well otherwise there is not much point using film and getting cheap auto scans that look like crap.

Donald Qualls · Feb 9, 2021

Assuming you're not (yet) processing your own film, you'll want to start with a color negative film; there's a good likelihood you can still drop that off at a local pharmacy or Walmart to be sent away for processing at a good price. Be sure to check "return my negatives" because otherwise all you'll get is prints and a CD or thumb drive with fairly low quality scans.

Kodak offers Pro 100, Gold 200, and something in 400 speed (I've forgotten the trade name) in "consumer" films, Ektar 100, Portra 160, and Portra 400 in "professional" films. Ilford has XP2 Super (black and white, but processed in C-41 like color negative films), and Fuji has Superia (at least 400 speed, not sure if they still produce/import the other speeds). There are also a few other choices from Lomography, but they'll be more expensive than the Kodak or Fuji consumer films.

grain elevator · Feb 9, 2021

film_man said:
I'd be more concerned about where to get it dev/scanned vs what film to use. In my opinion, if the end result is primarily scans then find a lab that does the scan bit well otherwise there is not much point using film and getting cheap auto scans that look like crap.

+1

BradS · Feb 9, 2021

Many Walmart stores stock Fuji Superia XTra 400 in 3packs...a convenience that I very much appreciate. For this reason alone, it is the only color film I use. It is also a fantastic film! I recommend it.

...but do NOT take your film to Walmart, Walgreens, CVS or RiteAid for processing. They do NOT return the negatives.

mehguy · Feb 9, 2021

Walmart film is the way to go. They seem to have the cheapest price on Gold 200 (here in Canada anyways).

Disappointed_Horse · Feb 9, 2021

Definitely agree with BradS—DO NOT take your film to drug stores or big box stores for processing. Not only do they not return your negatives, every time I've used them, the results have been terrible. For example, I have got prints and scans back from them where the entire roll had an extreme magenta cast. If you're going through the expense and trouble of shooting film—even cheap film—do yourself a favor and have it professionally developed. I personally send my film to Fulltone Photo (https://www.fulltonephoto.com/) in Kentucky and they do a great job for a very reasonable price. I've also had good luck with North Coast Photo (https://northcoastphoto.com/) and The Darkroom (https://thedarkroom.com/) in California, which might be more convenient for you, but they are more expensive than Fulltone.

Hope that helps.

pbromaghin · Feb 9, 2021

If you want to shoot B&W but have no way to develop it yourself, get Ilford XP2. It develops by C41 process so you can take it to the same people who will do your color films.

film_man · Feb 9, 2021

I'll make another suggestion. You say you have a Leica M6. So I assume you have some good lens to go with it. Do yourself a favour and
1. buy a roll of Kodak Portra 400
2. shoot it
3. send it to a lab like theFINDlab or Richards Photo Lab in CA or Indie Film Lab. Get the priciest service they have and say how you shot it and what you think you'd like to get out of it (eg send an example shot of a similar look).

It will cost you $40 in total with the film, processing and postage but at that point you will know what the best you can get out of that camera is. Then, if you want to use a local lab or develop yourself you will know how far off you are from what the camera and film can do.

I spent years getting film processed and doing my own scanning or using crappy labs. It just isn't worth the trouble, might as well use digital and some lightroom presets.

cptrios · Feb 9, 2021

Seriously, do your local Walmarts all have Superia in stock at the moment? The closest one to me is about a 40-minute drive, but it might be worth it if the old price ($14-15) is still in effect. It's just nonexistent online.

Huss · Feb 9, 2021

cptrios said:
Seriously, do your local Walmarts all have Superia in stock at the moment? The closest one to me is about a 40-minute drive, but it might be worth it if the old price ($14-15) is still in effect. It's just nonexistent online.

Call the store. Ask for the electronics counter or wherever it would be. A 40 minute drive? The amount of fuel you'd use, time taken etc. It would be cheaper to mail order.

Just order it from Mikes Camera. They have it in stock.

https://mikescamera.com/shop/catego...b?query=film&filters=207195:"Fujifilm"&page=2

Auer · Feb 9, 2021

Fomapan 100 and 400

Fujicolor 200 and 400

BradS · Feb 9, 2021

cptrios said:
Seriously, do your local Walmarts all have Superia in stock at the moment?

Yes. A three pack of 135-36 is around $19.

IndioInMrica · Feb 18, 2021

Going to pick up Superia 3 pack from Walmart today. Hard to get a single roll so I gave up.
I will try Portra 400 after I am done with Superia.

I have never developed rolls myself so I won't be doing that anytime soon. Thank you for lab suggestions, didn't know about them at all.

Which film to buy

IndioInMrica

Sirius Glass

Huss

Andrew O'Neill

Moderator

IndioInMrica

wjlapier

IndioInMrica

Paul Howell

voceumana

MattKing

Moderator

narsuitus

cptrios

film_man

Donald Qualls

grain elevator

BradS

mehguy

Disappointed_Horse

pbromaghin

film_man

cptrios

Huss

Auer

BradS

IndioInMrica

Which film to buy

Moderator

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency