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Photography Question 

Joy Fender
 

Film Type Question


I typically use your basic Kodak Gold or Fuji Superia brand films. Made the horrific mistake of trying Target brand film... save yourself some grief... don't go there!

Anyway, if I were inclined to try another type of film (non C-41), what would you recommend? Will my Canon Rebel accept anything other than C-41? (FYI: I don't want to try slides and I have some C-41 B&W that I haven't used yet. I have the perfect object I want to shoot with it but due to a banged up knee, I haven't been able to hike to the spot I need to get to :-))

Again, many thanks!

Joy


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May 28, 2001

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  First of all cameras don't care what kind of film you put in as long as it's the right size. Next, if you don't want slide film and you want something other than C41 film then you are left with black and white film. There are so many black and white films out there that it would really be nice to know more information. What are you planning on shooting? What do you want the final images to look like? What is your style of shooting? Without much info I would be inclined to say shoot some Tri-x. It's pretty much fool proof (no offense intended).


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May 29, 2001

 

Joy Fender
  None taken :-)

My main subjects are my two kids (ages 3 and 7), my GSD pup (10 months) and nature/scenery photos.

I guess a better question would be what to try other than Kodak Max or Fuji Superia?

I appreciate your time in answering my questions!

Joy


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May 29, 2001

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  Well, when you say other than C-41 what exactly do you mean? You don't say why you are wanting to switch from K-Gold and Superia - both good films. There isn't one magic film out there that will solve all your problems. The best approach to films is to find one you like and learn how to use it. Find out how it handles different light, how it acts when you push it, what exposure index works best for you, etc.


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May 29, 2001

 

Joy Fender
  Hi Jeff :-) The reason I was asking about other films was strictly to try something different. The only speed of film I haven't tried is ISO 100. I haven't used traditional B&W nor the new B&W that can be processed in color print machines (even though I have used *that* film in my P&S).

As I posted in another question, I have purchased some TMAX 100 and TMAX 400 to experiment with.

Thanks for taking some time to answer my questions!

Joy


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May 29, 2001

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  Try a lot of films. There are places that discuss films and their characteristics. This site must have that sort of information. Jim, help us out here. Read about the different films and try them out. But remember, with print film a lot is dependent on finding a good lab. There is so much in the printing that can affect the apperance of your shots.

BTW what is a GSD?


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May 29, 2001

 

Joy Fender
  You're absolutely right about finding a good lab. I think I find "the one" tonight. Really liked the guy behind the counter. He showed me a sample of their matte finish and I was drooling (matte being my favorite). He's the one that talked me into trying the TMAX film and was just all around very helpful and knowledgeable.

P.S. GSD = German Shepherd Dog :-) My "furkid". #3 in my photographic subject priorities, behind my kids.


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May 29, 2001

 
BetterPhotoJim.com - Jim Miotke

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  It sounds like you are just interested in experimenting and playing around. That's great! (Most people get so caught up in worrying about things like film that they forget to have fun - I applaud your attitude.)

Jeff's advice is right on target. The only other film I might recommend for someone wanting to experiment is infrared. This film creates an other worldly feel, especially when combined with the use of a few filters.

Unfortunately, the Rebel cannot handle it (this is one unusual exception to the general rule that cameras don't care what kind of film you put in). If you can use another camera, you might enjoy experimenting with this film. Very cool results can come from it.

As far as a good page that describes the pros and cons of various films, I will have to keep my eye open for you...

Enjoy the experimenting. With you playing with various films and Kris getting such kicks out of chasing bugs around in the desert, it appears that the BetterPhoto members are having fun. :)


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May 30, 2001

 

John A. Lind
  Joy,
Agree with all the above. Several points not already brought out.

1. "C-41" is the chemistry and process definition for developing color negative film. Other than a couple of real odd-balls based on cinema film (which I don't recommend; they're not designed for still photography), all color negative is processed "C-41."

2. The "C-41" B/W film you have has the same structure as color negative, complete with all three color layers (cyan, magenta and yellow). The generic name for this type of film is "chromogenic B/W." The layers react to light much the same way as color films do. The difference is when it's processed, the layers render shades of gray instead of cyan, magenta and yellow respectively. By comparison, TMAX, a true B/W film, has a single emulsion layer (making its developing completely different).

3. When you process your C-41 B/W processed, have it done by a lab which can switch to B/W paper in the print machine. There are now chromogenic B/W print papers which some labs have and some do not. Having it printed on color paper may leave you disappointed as it's almost impossible to color balance the results to pure B/W, even with the best of technicians operating the machine. Held next to prints on true B/W paper (even if it's the chromogenic type) there is usually a slight greenish or bluish cast to them. Note that your TMAX will undoubtedly be printed on true B/W paper when it's developed as it will go to a B/W lab.

-- John


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May 30, 2001

 

Nikki Schwerdfeger
  I was not aware just how much the photo lab played in the quality of your pictures, much more than the brand or type of film until we started using a different lab for our 8 x 10 4-H contest photos. The person behind the machine can make or ruin a winning photo no matter what film is involved. I also notice that Gold 200 works better than 400 Max in our Cannon AE-1, but my son's new Pentex ZX-7 does great with the Max.


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June 03, 2001

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  Nikki, I am sitting here chuckling. It doesn't matter what model of camera film is put into. It reacts the same to light now matter what brand or model of camera you use. Sorry, I'm not making fun. I just was tickled by what you said. :-)))


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June 04, 2001

 

Nikki Schwerdfeger
  Jeff: No offense taken, but at our house, the camera makes lots of difference as we are a disfunctional camera family. Our Chinnon has the long lens but the light meter indicator light is broken and we can't find a place that will fix it; our Cannon AE-1 has a light meter, screw on macro lens, but no long lens but is not auto focus and is used on the program setting most of the time; the new Pentex ZX-7 is fully automatic but only has a 28-80 lens and the screw on macro lens are too small.....I also wear tri-focals and have to have my 8 year-old son check my focus when we are trying for contest photos.

I know you are right about the camera/film situation, but for whatever reason I have never been able to get "good" photos with the Max 400 until we got the ZX-7. Usually, the come out dark even in sunlight. I have a friend who had the same experience just recently. In the past, I have refused to use Max film, but I see now that if I want Kodak 400, it will have to be Max. Any comments will be appreciated.



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June 04, 2001

 

Jeff S. Kennedy
  Most likely it is related to the meters in the respective cameras. I think you would find if you shoot the max at an ISO of 200 in your Canon your results will improve.


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June 04, 2001

 

BetterPhoto Member
  Nikki-
I shoot alot of black and white and use
T-Max for most of my shots. It's a great
film -picks up details and shadows and is fine grained. If you do your own film
processing, be certain to fix it at least as long as it takes to develope it,perhaps a minute or two more. If it is not properly fixed, your negs will have excessive purple color. Some color is okay. Kodak gives pretty good
instructions in their film packet. If buying a commericial brick there are no
instructions, but a good book is The Film Cookbook. Joan


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December 01, 2002

 

John A. Lind
  I'll state again what has already been posted: experiment with various B&W films to discover which one rocks your boat. I prefer the older grain films such as Plus-X and Tri-X, and would be using Verichrome if it were still made, for a variety of reasons instead of tabular grain films such as T-Max. Been expermenting with some of Ilford's products recently to see what they create. However, my vision for what I want my work to look like may not be the sameas what you want for your work.

Kodak and Ilford are the two major B&W film manufacturers. Sample them to find which ones match best what you're looking for. Grain, midtones, latitude are a few of the factors that vary among them. Ask 10 people who use B&W for recommendations and you'll get 10 different answers, along with even more variety on how to develop and print them. One of the beauties of B&W is the wide variation its user can achieve with film choice, developing and printing.

-- John


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December 01, 2002

 
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