I really enjoy film and even though I tend to stick with my favourites I like experimenting as well, so below are some of the different films I've used and a brief description/review on each :)
If you're thinking of scanning your own film (and mad like me!) I have two tutorial to help you out.
Scanning with your printer/scanner + vuescan - Part 1 and Part 2.
Scanning using your DSLR - Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3
EKTAR 100
It's speed of 100 (sensitivity of film to light) means it has an extra low sensitivity and thus a lot of light is needed to exposure the film properly. You can properly expose 100 film in a few ways, by having a wide aperture, slow shutter capabilities, using a flash or using the film with a bright light source such as midday sun. 100 films can be problematic with toy cameras that have fixed settings and would need to be used only on those super bright sunny days. You can see below when I used the film with my Holga I needed to do a double exposure to get the lighting right and that was on a slightly overcast day - during midday sun. The very first double exposure photo was taken at night with the camera's inbuilt flash. Without flash, I'd personally only use 100 film for outdoor day time photos especially if using with fixed setting toy cameras :)
Review: Having used Ektar solidly for a year with my OM1 I can report that it's a film I love. It gives predictable results (not a bad thing!) and you can buy a roll for under $10 (which may or may not be too much for some). I think it falls short of Portra 160 (reviewed below) but not by much. I'd say Portra has it over Ektar with skin tones and Ektar has it over Portra for landscape shots :)
In short, Ektar is a lovely film.
Cost: 5 rolls for $40 via ebay
EKTAR EXAMPLES
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| Used with Canon 1000F |
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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| Used with Holga 135BC |
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| Used with Holga 135BC |
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| Used with OM1 |
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| Used with OM1 |
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PORTRA 160
Being 160 film, much of the above comments for the Ektar 100 speed apply. I'd consider Portra 160 a daytime film unless you can get away with the light limitations in other way (external lights/long shutters etc.) Portra in a nutshell gives you fine grain and not so crazy red and orange tones to allow skin tones to look natural :)
Review: Portra 160 is the film I trust the most, it's my go to film for weddings when I want to make sure I'm getting skin tones as true as possible. Having said that I haven't tried all the high end film from other companies so I'm still open for a film to outdo Portra! When I first tried Portra (after having Ektar as my long standing favourite) I was a bit dissapointed, I was expecting crazy exciting results but it seemed to fall short of such expectations. I've since re-evaluated and have decided it gives predictable results (again not a bad thing!) and you also need to remember that your equipment, your camera (and most importantly the lenses) plays an important roll in the results you get. It probably goes without saying but if you photograph a boring scene you'll get a boring photo.
Cost: 5 rolls for $45 via ebay
PORTRA 160 EXAMPLES
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| Used with Canon 1000f |
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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PORTRA 400
Description: The description on the Kodak website for Portra 400 reads, "the
world’s finest grain high-speed color negative film. This film delivers
spectacular skin tones plus exceptional
color saturation over a wide range of lighting conditions."
Kodak is classifying 400 speed as "high-speed" which I think might be a bit of a push but it does help for those times you need a bit more light.
Kodak is classifying 400 speed as "high-speed" which I think might be a bit of a push but it does help for those times you need a bit more light.
Review:
I personally have never liked Portra 400, I don't know if I wrote it
off too soon, I just felt it fell short of the results I was getting
with Portra 160. Was it the result of the slight extra grain? Who knows but
after running a few rolls that was my conclusion and I've never packed
400 film for a wedding again.
Price: 2 roll for $40 via ebay
PORTRA 400 EXAMPLES
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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KODAK GC (Ultramax) 400
Description: The description on the Kodak website for Kodak 400GC reads, "KODAK MAX Versatility Film lets you take your pictures to the next
level. Its proprietary technology delivers the world's most convenient
400-speed film, so you can capture more of your precious moments.
Whether your subjects are still or moving fast, in sunlight or dim
light, MAX Versatility Film gives you great results. If you currently
use 100- or 200-speed film, switching to this amazingly adaptable film
will improve up to 25 percent of the pictures you take. KODAK MAX Versatility Film offers improved performance in all key
photographic features. It delivers a great combination of brilliant
color saturation and accurate color reproduction to give you clear,
crisp prints. Now the choice is simple. To capture your special and
everyday moments with confidence, make your choice MAX Versatility Film."
So essentially it's a film marketed to the masses, sold at an affordable price and a jack-of-all-trades!
So essentially it's a film marketed to the masses, sold at an affordable price and a jack-of-all-trades!
Review: First up a disclaimer, I bought one roll whilst thrifting so I can't state the age or how it was stored but my experience with that one roll (which you can view) is only positive. I'd say portra has finer grain but the colours and overall look of the GC roll would definitely see me seeking out the film in the future. Another disclaimer is that I did rate the 400 roll at 200 ISO in my camera (1000f canon) and then had it processed at 400 ISO which may have resulted in a vastly different result to how the film normally handles - something to keep in mind!
Price: ranges extensively in price from a few dollars a roll to portra equivalent prices - it should definitely be cheaper than portra!
KODAK GC (ultramax) 400 EXAMPLES
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| shoot using Canon 1000f |
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LOMOGRAPHY 100
Description: Lomography sells there own line of film with their 100 speed being sold as "expect vivid colors and fantastic sharpness!" - source.
There is much talk of lomography simply re-branding other film, you can read discussions, here and here yet despite not knowing the origins I'm still a big fan of the film.
There is much talk of lomography simply re-branding other film, you can read discussions, here and here yet despite not knowing the origins I'm still a big fan of the film.
Review:
Lomo 100 film is my go to film for everyday shooting. Film is expensive
(buying and processing) and if I were to shoot solely with Portra or
Ektar I'd go broke so it's nice to have a slightly cheaper alternative
with nice results :)
Cost: 6 rolls for $33 via lomography.com.au
LOMOGRAPHY 100 EXAMPLES
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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| Used with Superheadz - Ultra Wide and Ultra Slim |
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| Used with Sunny Juice Box Camera |
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| Used with Canon eos1000f |
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LOMOGRAPHY 400
Description: "You'll love the vibrant colors and stunning sharpness that the Lomography Color Negative 400 35mm film can give you" - source.
Review:
With a similar description to the 100 lomo film and same questions of
rebranding I find myself unimpressed by 400. The same thing happened
with the Portra - maybe I just wasn't made to shoot 400 film :P You can
see I've only posted one photo and that's because my results were
awful. I've also got rolls of this film still sitting in my film box
waiting to be used. For me it's quite simple, on a sunny day use 100
and on a not-so-sunny day use 800 (forget you 400!)
Cost via lomography.com.au
Cost via lomography.com.au
LOMOGRAPHY 400 EXAMPLE
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| Used with holga 135BC |
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LOMOGRAPHY 800
LOMOGRAPHY 800 EXAMPLES
Description: "400 ISO still not fast enough? The Lomography Color Negative 800 35mm
film will bring you fantastic results at all lighting conditions." - source
Review:
I like lomography's description of their 800 film, it's to the point
and valid. Whilst I won't say I'm sold on 800, I will say the results
are okay and it's important to always have a high speed film for when
light conditions are poor. I'd personally love to try out Portra's 800
film but the cheapest I could find was 5 rolls for $80 on ebay and that
gets a little too crazy for me! So for now, lomo 800 is where I'm at
until something else comes along in an affordable price bracket :)
Cost: 6 rolls for $37 via lomography.com.au
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| Used with Canon 1000F |
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| Used with Canon 1000F |
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| Used with Autoboy |
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Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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FUJI SUPERIA 200 (expired)
Review: I'm just going to come out and say it - I'm not a fan of Fuji. Unfortunately and to make my claims discreditable, I've only ever used expired fuji film so feel free to discount all my personal findings. The reasons I seem to dislike fuji is there seems to be this over sharpness to the photos. The blacks in the colour film are what I dislike the most as I found them quite sharp and grainy and not dreamy! (oh la la)
cost: 10 rolls for $55 via ebay
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| Used with Canon 1000f |
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Used with Canon 1000f |
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FUJI SUPERIA X-TRA 800 (expired)
Review: Only2 shots for the example proves there wasn't much success with the film. Whoever writes the fuji descriptions obviously has never used their film (wait was that too harsh?) you get the picture though, I'm not a fan of Fuji but I do really need to try some fuji film that isn't expired!
Cost: 4 rolls for $9 via ebay
FUJI SUPERIA X-TRA 800 (expired) EXAMPLES
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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T-MAX 400 (b&w)
Review: I love t-max seriously it can do no wrong but I also think perhaps b&w film can do no wrong.
Cost: 5 rolls for $45 via ebay
T-MAX 400 (b&w) EXAMPLES
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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| Used with Canon EOS 3 |
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LOMOGRAPHY 400 LADY GREY B&W
Description: "the perfect film to use if
you’re looking for high-resolution, monochromatic fun. This lady
promises smooth grain, stunning tones and all the speed you need to
shoot even under unfavorable lighting conditions. This ISO 400 film adds
class and elegance to your photos and is perfect for capturing action
and great low-light shots." - source
Review: As
I said in regards to T-Max I honestly don't think you can go to wrong
with black and white film so I'm quite happy to use the lomo 400 :)
Cost: 3 rolls for $30 via lomography.com.au
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Used with Canon EOS 3  |
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FUJI SUPERIA 100 - 120 FILM
Review: My Holga 120N takes 120 film so it was fun to test out some medium format film. This time I must say I didn't mind Fuji. Though it's hard to compare 120 film (of higher quality than 35mm) + throw in the fact that I was using it in a holga to say if my results were because of fuji or the other factors. Would I buy this film again though? For sure :)
Cost: 1 roll $10 via lomography.com.au
FUJI SUPERIA 100 - 120 FILM EXAMPLES
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| Used with Holga 120N |
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T-MAX 400 - 120 FILM
Review: I loved the results I got with this roll. Normally film has to be exposed correctly to look good or over-exposed as is the case with colour film, but I find this film super flexible. The day I was taking these shots were slightly over cast but I loved the result of the muted black and whites. Again I'd happily buy and shoot again with this film.
Cost: 5 rolls for $43 via ebay
T-MAX 400 - 120 FILM EXAMPLES
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| Used with Holga 120N |
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| Used with Holga 120N |
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ILFORD DELTA 100 - 120 FILM (b&w)
Ilford Delta 100 - 120 FILM EXAMPLES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- AGFA CT PRECISA SLIDE 100 FILM
ILFORD DELTA 100 - 120 FILM (b&w)
Description: "For sharpness and freedom from grain, ILFORD DELTA 100 PROFESSIONAL
is simply the best in its class - offering the photographer
exceptionally fine grain and a level of sharpness rarely seen, resulting
in outstanding clarity of detail and the most precise image rendition.
Capable of superb image quality at its recommended rating of ISO 100/21, this film will also produce great results rated between ISO 50 and 200". - source
Review: Having only used Ilford Delta once with my Holga 120 I may be a little hasty in jumping to definitive conclusions but from my one experience, I really love this film. Again I think it's hard to go wrong with black and white and the Holga does produce a certain look with it's light leaks but I'd happily buy more of this film and I'm pretty confident of getting great results again :)
Cost: 1 roll $12 (aus) ebay
Review Date: 19/01/2017
Cost: 1 roll $12 (aus) ebay
Review Date: 19/01/2017
Ilford Delta 100 - 120 FILM EXAMPLES
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| Used with my Holga 120N |
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| Used with my Holga 120N |
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| Used with my Holga 120N |
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| Used with my Holga 120N |
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Review: I bought this roll of film because I heard good things about it's ability to be cross processed, aka, not processed in the normal slide chemicals but in colour film chemicals. I have to say it was one of those rare rolls where I loved every photo. It was also my first time getting my film scanned by the FIND LAB so I don't know how much of a part they played in the process but thumbs up all round! Will definitely try this roll again using the cross processed technique.
Update: I scanned the film myself using my el-cheapo flat bed scanner and found the film turned up much less vivid and of lower contrast - oh film why must you be some complicated in the scanning process!!! :P :P
Cost: Around $36 for 3 rolls (ebay)
Review Date: 01/05/2015
AGFA CT PRECISA EXAMPLES (cross processed)
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Were the examples from that Agfa roll cross processed? they are gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteyes they were :)
DeleteYou mentioned my favs! I shoot mainly on fuji and kodak - expired kodak is life. Wonderful guide!
ReplyDelete