Questions regarding photography using film.
57
votes
22answers
5k views
What kind of photography is still better done with film cameras?
Are there any kind of photography left today which digital cameras are still in the disadvantage to film cameras?
23
votes
4answers
1k views
What medium format film camera should an SLR guy look at?
Ok, I know the SLR world pretty well, I've owned Pentax, Canon, and now Nikon film SLRs, from the '80s to the naughties.
But I know nothing about medium format cameras, so I need your advice!
My ...
22
votes
4answers
804 views
(How) should I start with film photography?
I've been toying with the thought of starting analog (film) photography for a while. Buying a film SLR and the equipment to develop and print the photos doesn't seem to be too expensive.
Now my ...
20
votes
4answers
1k views
What to do with an old film camera?
Over the years, I've progressively inherited 4 different cameras from my father, the last one is a DSLR, so the three others are pretty much unused now.
I can't bring myself to throw them away, but ...
19
votes
1answer
740 views
18
votes
2answers
632 views
How can I restore analog pictures destroyed by airport X-Rays?
I have several analog color films recently developed from a vacation in Ethiopia. On the flights to and from Addis Abeba as well as on several inland flights the films have been repeatedly X-rayed. I ...
17
votes
3answers
4k views
Is there a film scanner that can read the data from APS films and include it in the EXIF metadata?
I've a bunch of APS films that I'd like to scan but all the film scanners I've seen on the market today are 35mm scanners; and whilst some have little carriers to allow you to physically scan APS, ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
How did they post process before Photoshop?
So, yes, I'm intrigued as to how they post process pictures before Photoshop (or computers, for that matter) came about. Or is post processing a by-product of the computer revolution?
My ...
16
votes
4answers
528 views
Is it possible to do infrared photography with digital cameras?
I remember taking infrared pictures with a simple filter and black and white film. How can I do something like this with digital cameras? Or is this even possible?
15
votes
3answers
778 views
What is the Orton Effect and how can I apply it to digital photographs?
I have heard of a photographic effect known as the 'Orton Effect'.
Can anyone tell me what the effect is, what its history is and how I would create it in both film and on my digital SLR?
15
votes
4answers
2k views
How do I unwind a roll of film?
When putting in a new roll of (35mm) film, I accidentally told my camera to rewind, rather than load the film. Now there's no tab sticking out of the roll, so I can't load it.
Is there a way to ...
14
votes
15answers
2k views
What advantages does 35mm film have over high-end digital?
In this day and age, do 35mm film cameras have any advantages over high-end digital cameras?
I am thinking mostly about image quality, but sure, other aspects are interesting, too.
14
votes
4answers
2k views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of negative film versus reversal film?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of negative/print film compared to reversal/slide film?
13
votes
7answers
8k views
Why is there a limit restriction to the 1080p film video recording time duration on DSLRs?
Theories:
that the processing hardware gets hot, so the limit extends the life
EU classification of camera as camcorder attracts duty
FAT32 file size limit of memory cards is 2gb, but then you could ...
13
votes
5answers
954 views
How to carry film through airports?
I had a business trip with some free time in the evening, so I took my photo gear with me, but on the last moment, decided to leave my film camera at home because I did not want to ruin the film with ...
13
votes
6answers
972 views
Why should a digital photographer learn to shoot film?
As someone who has only done photography seriously in a digital world, I've occasionally had folks recommend that I learn to shoot film as an educational experience.
What reasons might one choose to ...
13
votes
5answers
1k views
Is there a difference in dynamic range between film and digital?
Is there a difference in dynamic range between film and digital?
12
votes
2answers
1k views
What does it mean when film turns out transparent after being developed?
I had a B/W film turn out transparent after being developed. Does it mean that a) it was never exposed b) it was always overexposed or c) something went wrong during development?
12
votes
2answers
627 views
What is push/pull processing?
Researching nearby companies providing E-6 processing, I noticed some offer push/pull processing. What is it and when would I want it?
12
votes
5answers
934 views
Can photographic composition rules be used in cinematography?
We all know that photographic composition has certain rules like the rule of thirds, diagonal lines, etc. I am wondering whether those same rules can be applied in cinematography. Can they?
I ...
12
votes
3answers
263 views
What is the best way to photograph oil paintings with a film camera?
I want to photograph my oil paintings to keep as a record and if possible, to print from. I want to know if its best to use a slide film. I want to use my Pentax ME Super 35mm SLR Film Camera.
I am ...
12
votes
4answers
2k views
How to store and preserve film negatives and slides?
I bought 35mm dedicated film scanner (Nikon CoolScan III) and I'm planning to digitize old negatives and slides I found at home.
How should I store and preserve these slides and films after I cut ...
11
votes
7answers
3k views
What is the best negative scanner (35mm) for $400 or less?
Now that we are moving to the digital world...
What is the best negative scanner for the price range of up to $400
11
votes
3answers
220 views
What is the purpose of the film leader on 35mm film?
I'm winding some film using a daylight bulk winder.
I can't see the point of cutting a leader on the film. My cameras seem to load the film fine without a leader. No leader also gives more film for ...
11
votes
5answers
953 views
How do I effectively photograph when the sun is in the frame?
I have been trying to get a good shot out of direct sunlight but my shots just turn out dark, even if I set my shutter speed to the 1000-4000 range at ISO 200. Another odd thing is that even if my ...
11
votes
2answers
316 views
Will my EF or EF-S lenses work on EOS Film Cameras?
I've got a Canon 500D and a number of lenses. I was thinking of picking up a cheap Film EOS camera from E-bay to mess around with. I just wanted to double check that my current lenses would work on an ...
11
votes
3answers
369 views
Are old reels of film useful past their “Use By” date?
I have about seven ISO 400 reels of 36 shots each, all of which have a use-by date of sometime in 2006.
Are they useless now and should I just throw them away?
Or, does the Use By date not matter ...
11
votes
3answers
751 views
What film rangefinder camera can I buy for a reasonable price?
I'm interested in trying out film photography and I would also love to try out a rangefinder camera as those seem to be perfect for manual focusing in street photography.
Now, of course, the ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I develop black and white negatives at home?
C41 (color negative) processing is tricky and sensitive, so it's difficult to do at home. I'd still like to learn about film processing, and have heard that black and white negatives are fairly ...
11
votes
1answer
646 views
Why does colour negative film have an orange mask?
I've noticed that developed colour negatives usually have an orange layer.
Is this an artifact of an old printing process, required by the chemistry, or is there some other benefit to it?
10
votes
5answers
659 views
Is it better to scan negatives or prints?
I've been wondering this for awhile now. Is it better to scan a 35mm negative, or a larger print from the negative? Which will provide a better scan? Does this change when moving to a larger film, ...
10
votes
2answers
498 views
What happens if I redscale a B&W film?
Redscaling is a technique where the film gets exposed in the wrong side. This creates a strong red hue in the images and it's very cool. You should definitely try it if you never did.
So, what would ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Do disposible cameras go bad if you don't develop soon after using?
I've just found an old disposable camera after a bit of a tidy up, no idea what's on it.
On the bottom it says develop by 08/2010 so it's about 6 months overdue.
Will the images still be OK to ...
10
votes
2answers
703 views
How to preserve detail when downscaling scanned photos?
I'm mixing analog with digital photography — I tend to take better photos when I can't look at a small digital screen, unconsciously forcing me to take the picture before I shoot instead of checking ...
10
votes
1answer
151 views
Where is the best place to get my beloved Rollei serviced?
My father gave me a old MF Rollei a few years ago. I've taken it everywhere I travel and gotten some great shots out of it. I know film is much more expensive and quickly going out of "style" as the ...
9
votes
3answers
860 views
Is it true that '80s 35mm photofilm had quality corresponding to 24 megapixels?
Is it true that '80s 35mm photofilm had quality corresponding to 24 megapixels? Somebody told me so today, and I find it surprising.
9
votes
5answers
579 views
What is the point of film canisters?
Why is it that 35mm film is always supplied in a small plastic canister, when the film itself is enclosed in a hard, opaque carapace itself. Now, potentially for high-sensitivity films like Ilford ...
9
votes
3answers
663 views
What DPI do I need to use when scanning a 35mm to get an equivalent of say 8 MegaPixel digital photo
Other equivalents are welcome as well.
I want this information to know what scanners I need to look at or at least to have the ability to determine if a scanning service will suffice my needs.
9
votes
3answers
167 views
How was contrast increased back in the film days?
How was the contrast increased with film? One technique is given in this answer and involves Selenium. Are there other methods that were/are used to increase contrast in a photo taken on film?
9
votes
3answers
175 views
How to clean 35mm negative film?
What is a proper way to clean a 35mm negative film stripe before scanning?
What chemicals can remove fingerprints, dust that does not come off by blowing, or strains of glue? What type of cloth does ...
9
votes
8answers
2k views
Where can I get 4x5″, 5x7″, or 8x10″ color sheet film (or other hard-to-find exotic film) processed?
Where can I get XYZ exotic film processed? See below!
Background:
I've got a 4x5" view camera, and I'd like to shoot some color negatives on it, for printing in a color darkroom that I currently ...
9
votes
3answers
377 views
What's the best way to develop old, exposed film?
A friend of mine just found 3 rolls of exposed 135 (i.e. 35mm) film. They are at least 10 years old. He'd like to know if it is even worth taking them to the local hour photo lab but also if he should ...
9
votes
3answers
414 views
What are my options for buying and developing film for a vintage 1913 Kodak camera?
Today I was given a vintage 1913 Kodak camera, a Kodak Premoette Junior. What sort of film was it originally designed for and where can I buy it and have it developed?
Can I improvise with some sort ...
9
votes
2answers
151 views
What is the production volume for film over the last decade?
How many rolls/sheets of film has Kodak/Fuji/the-whole-industry produced each year for the last ten years?
What has the revenue been?
I've tried googling for the answer but a summary of this ...
9
votes
1answer
325 views
What does it mean to “mount” slide film for processing?
I just finished my first roll of a 35mm slide film and it is time to get it processed. I checked few places online and the options are to get them processed "mounted" or "unmounted".
So what do ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
Affordable Entry Level Medium Format
I would like to do some medium format work. What is a cheap but good camera to start with. I have several 120 cameras but which would be a good camera to use
8
votes
3answers
324 views
What is the significance of the word “Color” in the names of some older lenses?
This seems closely related to How does a lens affect the saturation of a picture?.
Some older lenses I've seen contain the word "Color" in the name, such as Color-Yashinon and Color-Skopar (the ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the difference between black and white film and color film?
What is the difference between black and white film and color film? How does color film record color? Is it like black and white film with something more, or is it entirely different?
8
votes
2answers
225 views
Does reciprocity failure (Schwarzschild effect) exist in digital photography?
In analog photography (film) there was an effect called "Schwartschild effect", or Reciprocity failure when making long exposures (usually more than few seconds).
Some film brands created ...
8
votes
2answers
151 views
How do I 'break' a film camera in order to get double exposures?
Film cameras typically refuse to double expose on the same frame of film. Let's take the Olympus trip 35 as the example. They're cheap as chips and don't expose unless you wind on the film. What part ...
