| What kind of film should I use? For more photographs, you can successfully use a name-brand, 200-speed print film like Kodak Gold or Fuji Super G Plus. Let's look at these three factors - speed, brand, and print vs. slide. How Do I Choose A Speed? The numbers - 100, 200, 400 - refer to how quickly the film reacts to light. A 400-speed film reacts twice as fast as a 200. Higher-speed film is used for action shots, because it helps reduce blurring, and for low-light, indoor settings. But higher-speed film also results in weaker colors and grainier images in your finished photographs than slower films.
If your prints are blurry, try using a faster film. If you want better (less grainy) resolution for enlargements, try a slower film. Does Brand Make A Difference? Film brands do vary somewhat, but as long as you choose a known brand from a reliable supplier, you won't notice a great amount of difference between brands. Because film deteriorates with age and heat, buy it fresh (the packages are dated), keep it cool, and use and develop it promptly.
Should I Use Print or Slide Film? Color print film accounts for 90 percent of film sold and is best for most consumer uses. Prints are easy to store, view, and show, and enlargements are relatively inexpensive. Print film is also more forgiving - it has a wider exposure latitude than slide film, meaning that you don't have to have exact setting on your camera for a good shot.
Reprinted with permission; Copyright 1998 Andrew Hudson for PhotoSecrets Publishing. All rights reserved. This article was edited by Matt Wiseman and first appeared in Postcards Magazine, a publication for Carlson Leisure Group by Cowles Creative Publishing. |
