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In our digital world, we all have a camera in our pocket and even with all the fancy DSLR cameras on the market, the appeal of the analog film cameras is still alive and well. Film photography is a popular hobby for people of all ages. Taking photos with film requires careful planning and thinking to get the perfect shot. Film photography for beginners often starts with a disposable camera, it’s the gateway to the addiction to film photography. Once you venture past the point and shoot disposable camera, and learn how to shoot film with a SLR, your world opens up with possibilities. Learning to shoot manually gives you a lesson in slowing down, becoming engaged with your subject, and appreciating the moment. Shooting film requires attention to detail, perfect timing, and knowing when to take the shot. It’s just as much about the process as it is about the photograph that is the end result.
If you’ve never tried your hand at shooting with film, operating a 35mm film camera may seem daunting at first. The best way to get past this and become skilled in how to shoot film is to start with a fully manual camera and learn how to use all the features of the camera to produce a good quality photograph. That means experimenting with aperture, shutter speed, and ISO until you are comfortable. ISO is the sensitivity to light as pertains to either film or a digital sensor. A lower ISO number means less sensitivity to light, and a higher ISO number means greater sensitivity. Photography can quickly become your favorite hobby once you’re familiar with your camera and how it works.
35mm film is the most readily format available for use with film photography. A good 35mm film camera for a beginning film photographer is a Pentax ME Super 35mm, Canon AE-1, or a Nikon EM. Basically, any 35mm film camera with a functioning light meter and a clean lens. You can pick one up on ebay for under a $100. A manual 35mm film camera is a great place to start learning how to take good photographs with film because you can experiment with different films and learn how aperture and shutter speed work. The best film to use when you’re first starting out is Kodak TMAX 400 for black and white or Fuji Superia 400 for color. . We recommend these films because is the most versatile and they are inexpensive, readily available, and easy to use in a variety of 35mm film cameras.
If you are familiar with how to use a DSLR camera but not how to shoot film, you’ll be happy to know that a film camera is very similar to digital when it comes to shutter speed, aperture and ISO making an easy transition for beginners in film photography. The obvious difference is that with a film camera, there is the added element of loading and developing the film. When you load film into your camera, advance the film one or two frames to make sure it is securely on the take up spool before shutting the back. Once the entire roll is shot, rewind your film, remove it from the camera, and take it or send it to our lab for processing.
Once we receive your order we will have the film developed and scanned for you within 2-3 days. North Coast Photographic Services offers high-quality developing and scanning for all your photo needs. Mail us your film today and contact us with any questions.