 Sharon Farmer |
Photos Grainy - ALWAYS!
I thought that graininess was reduced with higher speed. Maybe I am completely wrong! Is it where I have my film processed? I go to KMart, and they send it out to the lab to process so I'm not sure exactly where it's processed. Is there a chance something is wrong with my camera? I guess I'll pay extra and try Wolf Camera next time! It is so frustrating to have photos I can't even use :( Thanks! Sharon
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Kerry L. Walker |
Sorry, but you have it backwards. Graininess is reduced with a lower speed film. Of course, that is not all there is to it either. Different films have different characteristics and one film might have less grain than another of the same speed. For example, Portra 800 will have less grain than Max 800. Also, underexposed film will show more grain than properly or even slightly overexposed film. I think your problem is probably caused by the 800 speed film. Try some Kodak 400UC and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
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Justin G. |
I noticed you said Wolf Camera. I'm haven't been in there stores but I believe they are pro, or at least semi-pro stores. Go in there and inquire about professional films. You will find much better qualities in professional films and maybe a knowledgeable person could help you describe what a few films do and be on your way. But as Kerry said, the higher the ISO the more sacrifice you make for grain. For landscape shots it is very common to use ISO 100 speed or slower film for the lack of grain. Check into some slower films. This will help tremendously.
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Christopher A. Vedros |
Last summer I wanted to take some pictures of some cracks below the water line in my pool. I picked up a disposable waterproof camera that happened to be loaded with Kodak Max 800. It was the grainiest color film I've ever used. Even printed at only 4x6, it was incredibly grainy. Changing labs won't help you much with this film. You'll do much better using slower film. For special cases where you are shooting in low light without flash, you could try Portra 800 like Kerry suggested. Chris
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Christopher A. Vedros |
Sharon, I didn't see your sample pictures when I posted my reponse - yours don't look as grainy as mine, in fact. Look at THIS PAGE in my gallery. There are 4 pictures taken with Kodak Max 800 on the 3rd & 4th row from the bottom (the kids, not the gators!) My images may have been a little underexposed also, since they were taken underwater (and with a cheap disposable). Try some slower film, and you'll be pleasantly surprised, I'm sure. Chris
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Brock E. Litton |
If you want the least anount of grain in your pictures then I would shoot on fuji velvia slide film. it comes in speed of 50 and 100 and the colors are very saturated. Plus your not getting a lab techs idea of what your images should look like. With slide film what you get back from the lab is what you shot, that is as lond as their chemistry wasnt screwed up.
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Sharon Farmer |
Thank you to everyone for responding! I think I will try out the Portra 800 (never heard of that brand). The Fuji Velvia Slide film...do you know if I can get a CD of my pictures when processed? I am really wanting to get a Nikon N80 digital. Is graininess eliminated in digital cameras?? (crossing my fingers it is!) Thanks again! Sharon btw...Chris V, I would NEVER let my kids swim with the crocs! hehe :-)
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robert G. Fately |
Sharon - you already got some good advice here, but to anwer your latest questions: Portra is not a brand of film, it is one of th films Kodak makes. Any film can be scanned with the proper equipment - slide or negative. WHile virtually every corner drugstore and WalMart or Target offer print film processing (known as C-41), far fewer facilities handle slide film processing (known as E-6). Perhaps your local camera store does, or knows of aplace locally. If not, there's an excellent outfit called A&I in Hollywood, California, that does very good work. Processing slides is generally cheaper than getting prints made (since there's no paper involved, but they do cut and individually mount the slides). Many places that process E-6 also offer scanning them as well - again, you need to check a given place. The Nikon N80 is a film camera - I presume you meant the D70s (or D50) which are digital SLRs. Graininess is not eliminated, though - digital cameras set to high light sensitivity (like 800 or 1600, etc - it's the same ISO numbering system) can suffer from what's called "noise", which is not exactly the same as grain (completely different reasons for it) but has a similar effect on the final picture. In general, in any photographic technology, more light sensitivity (faster) is offset by having to deal with more grain or noise. FOr this reason, one should generally try to use the slowest film or ISO setting feasible that still allows for fast enough shutter speeds to avoid motion blur. And sometimes, this just is not possible - at least not with gear mere mortals can afford.
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Kerry L. Walker |
Sharon, before you try the Portra 800, I would suggest you try a lower speed film. Kodak also makes Portra NC and VC in speeds of 400 and 160. 400UC (formerly Portra 400UC) is also a good film. The NC has more neutral colors (great for skin) and the VC and UC have more vivid colors. Of the two, UC probably has better skin tones. I shoot weddings with Portra NV (160 or 400, depending on the light levels) and occasionally Portra 800 but I am shooting with a MF camera so the grain is less with the 800 than it would be in 35MM. Don't go digital if you are looking for less grain (or noise as Bob explained). Digital has its advantages over film but it also has its drawbacks so research carefully and weigh the advantages of each medium before spending your money. You may find that digital is what you want but be fully informed before you make your decision.
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BetterPhoto Member |
I only use three different films when I shoot. Two are made by Fuji, and the other is made by Konica. My main film is Fuji 400. If I need a slower film, I shoot Fuji 100. I use Konica 50 for portraits and scenes in daylight where I want slow shutter speeds. I really like Fujifilm for it's color saturation and the fact that it shows minimal grain. I've only had grain problems with Fuji when I pushed a roll of 800 speed to ISO 3200 to shoot a predatory bird display. I've been shooting with Fuji since 1979. Have fun and keep shooting,
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BetterPhoto Member |
Hi Sharon; I only use three different films when I shoot. Two are made by Fuji, and the other is made by Konica. My main film is Fuji 400. If I need a slower film, I shoot Fuji 100. I use Konica 50 for portraits and scenes in daylight where I want slow shutter speeds. I really like Fujifilm for it's color saturation and the fact that it shows minimal grain. I've only had grain problems with Fuji when I pushed a roll of 800 speed to ISO 3200 to shoot a predatory bird display. I've been shooting with Fuji since 1979. Have fun and keep shooting,
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