Questions tagged [film]

Questions regarding photography using film.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
14 votes
5 answers
46k 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 ...
TeXter's user avatar
  • 373
14 votes
2 answers
542 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 ...
Rob's user avatar
  • 275
14 votes
2 answers
8k views

How has the price of a roll of film developed over the last few decades?

How has the price of a (typical/common) roll of film changed over the last few decades? I am trying to get an impression whether film is getting more expensive (and if so, how much) as a result of ...
Michael Mauderer's user avatar
13 votes
5 answers
8k views

Can 35 mm film which went through a washing machine still be developed?

I have a roll of 35 min film that I found while cleaning out a closet. I stuck it in my pocket so it wouldn’t get misplaced, then accidentally ran it through the washing machine. Can it still be ...
Jane Elder Johnson's user avatar
13 votes
2 answers
4k views

How do I safety check that there is no light in Darkroom / Darkbag?

Noon question, but: How do I safety check that there is no light in Darkroom / Darkbag?
Andy Andy's user avatar
  • 445
13 votes
2 answers
4k views

Can I mimic animal "tapetum lucidum" in a film camera?

Some animals have a reflective layer behind their transparent retina, greatly increasing their ability to see in the dark, called tapetum lucidum. In my 35mm film SLR camera, could I add a thin ...
CamilB's user avatar
  • 305
13 votes
6 answers
12k 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.
Andrei's user avatar
  • 1,097
13 votes
6 answers
3k views

Does aliasing occur in film photography?

I have observed aliasing with digital photos and videos. While film does not have infinite resolution, it appears that film grain does not have the regularity of a digital sensor, so aliasing may not ...
MechtEngineer's user avatar
13 votes
3 answers
48k views

Can I change the lens of my film SLR even when a film is loaded?

I have a film SLR that is currently loaded with film. I was using a 28mm lens when I loaded the film but recently got a 50mm and I want to use that instead. Question is, can I change the lens without ...
Eric's user avatar
  • 385
13 votes
6 answers
3k views

Was there a film camera that was silent?

With digital cameras, when there is no mirror, an electronic shutter can be used to more or less eliminate any moving mechanical parts. That way, a camera makes little or no noise, making it useful ...
Chinmay Kanchi's user avatar
13 votes
4 answers
4k 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 ...
Nick Miller's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
2k views

What do the numbers in film formats reference?

So, there is a whole list of film formats that are referred to by numbers, and sometimes later were just called the film size. 135 is commonly referred to as 35mm/"full frame" and 120 as medium format,...
BBking's user avatar
  • 2,755
13 votes
3 answers
4k 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.
Shaihi's user avatar
  • 471
13 votes
2 answers
8k 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 ...
Omar Kooheji's user avatar
  • 1,035
13 votes
3 answers
1k 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 ...
user12010's user avatar
  • 131
13 votes
3 answers
2k 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 ...
Job's user avatar
  • 391
12 votes
5 answers
10k views

How was film developed in the late 1920s?

I am doing research for a story I am writing. If an investigator in the late 1920s privately needed to glimpse an image that was taken on a camera, perhaps a 35mm Leica or a Naegel, would it be ...
PhotographyNewbie's user avatar
12 votes
6 answers
8k 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 ...
C. Storey's user avatar
  • 221
12 votes
5 answers
10k views

Are UV filters required for shooting film?

I know that digital sensors have filters that filter out UV and IR light and thus do not require UV filters, but what about film? Are IR or UV filters required when shooting film?
Daniel T.'s user avatar
  • 1,817
12 votes
7 answers
8k views

What is the actual color space of film in film photography?

I have been thinking about this question for a while now, and I haven't found an answer online. Modern technology (scanners, screens, digital cameras, printers...) use technical color spaces to ...
MicroMachine's user avatar
  • 1,577
12 votes
3 answers
3k views

Why do my photographs taken with a film camera look so saturated?

I’m starting to shoot photographs using my Dad's old camera, an Olympus OM-4. I’ve noticed that in comparison with my friend's photographs mine are a lot more saturated. Why can it be? Here's an ...
Diego Asterio's user avatar
12 votes
3 answers
21k 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?
user avatar
12 votes
5 answers
4k 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 ...
Ygam's user avatar
  • 1,609
12 votes
2 answers
2k views

Should film cameras be stored with a cocked shutter or not?

When shooting with film cameras with manual film advancement/shutter cocking, is it better to store it for a longer period of time with the shutter cocked or not cocked. Does it not matter? I'm ...
Hugo's user avatar
  • 8,288
12 votes
7 answers
4k views

What are the pros and cons of film and digital for B&W photography?

What are the pros and cons of both platforms in context of black and white photography? There are several rather subjective arguments out there (like "film has richer gray-tones") and they're welcome ...
Karel's user avatar
  • 10.7k
12 votes
3 answers
1k views

Did film photography have lens correction counterparts?

Were there ever any tools to correct for lens distortion in the film-only era? I'm thinking a device that contained a lens system that you could alter, or a soft workable lens that you could fine tune,...
Hugo's user avatar
  • 8,288
12 votes
3 answers
1k 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 ...
Chandler's user avatar
  • 716
12 votes
1 answer
5k views

What are these lines through my images (on the negatives and the prints)?

I have these lines or streaks across many of the images on this roll I had developed. I can see the same lines on the negatives as well as the prints. The lines are in the exact same spot across I ...
dpollitt's user avatar
  • 46.4k
12 votes
5 answers
99k views

How long does undeveloped film last?

I received a Mamiya ZE-2 from a family member who discovered it in a closet. Along with the camera were 3 rolls of film - 2 in white plastic holders and one inside the camera. I have no idea what ...
fluf's user avatar
  • 606
11 votes
5 answers
8k views

What is the rationale for having less than 36 frames in a single 35mm film roll?

36 frames per roll have long been the agreed upon standard. It allows to fit the maximum amount of frames in a canister and still have some slack for safely loading the film, because one's loading ...
lightproof's user avatar
11 votes
4 answers
8k views

Best material to absorb as much light as possible

I take pictures on film and with direct lighting in front of black backgrounds or sometimes in direct sunlight. In both of these situations I want to sometimes cover parts of the subject in complete ...
Jeffrey's user avatar
  • 349
11 votes
1 answer
3k views

How can Walter Mitty examine the negatives of photos in the bright sunny day?

This may be a naive question, as I am not familiar with photography using negatives storing the photo images. So in the film of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", Walter Mitty examines the negatives ...
wonderich's user avatar
  • 213
11 votes
4 answers
17k views

What are the dynamic ranges of commonly available 35mm film?

I searched on google for a good chunk of time, but I haven't been able to find a reliable source of the dynamic range of many, if any, color negative films. I'm curious about any/all 35mm films that ...
icor103's user avatar
  • 739
11 votes
2 answers
3k 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 ...
James's user avatar
  • 2,704
11 votes
3 answers
3k views

Am I wrong to judge my exposure using my smartphone?

Context: I recently purchased an Olympus OM-1 film camera. Upon receiving the camera, I realized the battery for the light meter was dead. I'm a (very) amateur photographer so, naturally, this is a ...
Alex Ritchie's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
335 views

I have a bag of white powder, I know it's either D-76 developer or fixer. How can I determine which one it is?

I forgot to label the bag and now it's been 6 months and I can't remember which chemical it is. They are both fine white powders. I know the fixer smells pretty strong so I suppose I could put some in ...
Chandler's user avatar
  • 716
11 votes
3 answers
2k 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?
Saaru Lindestøkke's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
965 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 ...
Akash's user avatar
  • 213
11 votes
1 answer
2k views

What to do when you've set a too high ISO for your film?

I just realized that I shot a roll of Portra 160, while my camera was set on iso 400. Is there something I should ask for at the developing lab to make up for it? I hope that some of you might be ...
CecilieFJ's user avatar
  • 111
11 votes
3 answers
1k 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 ...
eflorico's user avatar
  • 2,446
11 votes
1 answer
701 views

What to check when buying used and old film bodies? [duplicate]

I saw an ad on a local site for a Minolta XD11, seemingly body only. The listing claims manual exposure works but battery operation has not been tested. The price is dirt cheap. What do I check for, ...
salmonlawyer's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
2k views

How can I unroll very old, very tightly curled negatives?

I have a small box filled with old negatives. Most of which are very tightly curled up on themselves and look like small cigarettes. They are about 60mm wide by various lengths. They may be 120/220 ...
user7264855's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
6k 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 ...
Vikas's user avatar
  • 2,210
11 votes
2 answers
3k 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 ...
Andres's user avatar
  • 4,994
10 votes
5 answers
3k views

How to preserve undeveloped film as a legacy gift

I am new to film photography; however, I recently had this strange little idea to take some photos and just leave them undeveloped until I am nearing the end or my family is looking at them after my ...
FaxTax's user avatar
  • 109
10 votes
2 answers
2k views

What is the white square near the viewfinder of the Fujica GW690?

What is the purpose of the white square and hole near the viewfinder of the Fujica GW690? It's a mechanical camera without a light meter so I can't imagine what they are.
maborg's user avatar
  • 204
10 votes
3 answers
5k views

What causes these lines / scratches to appear on my developed film?

Please can someone advise me what might have caused this & what I should do to ensure it doesn't happen again? The lines start up higher near the start of the film and are quiet low by the end of ...
hdb23's user avatar
  • 103
10 votes
3 answers
5k 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 ...
рüффп's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
3k views

Is it worth investing in a used 35 mm Film camera?

I've a Canon 60D and I'm mainly interested in shooting landscapes. I feel very interested in buying a used canon EOS film camera (since my EF lenses are compatible). I would like to take pictures ...
Viv's user avatar
  • 3,708
10 votes
2 answers
133k views

What is the equivalent resolution of a 35mm film [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: What megapixel value is equivalent to which ISO film? Is it true that '80s 35mm photofilm had quality corresponding to 24 megapixels? I know this is a little bit like ...
e-mre's user avatar
  • 323

1
2
3 4 5
21