Complete film novice with stupid questions

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Aledafis

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Aled
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Hi, my name's Aled, and I quite fancy having a go at film photography, just for the hell of it really, I think that I'll probably limit myself to B&W at the moment, as I'm not really happy with the B&W output I get from lightroom, and want a bit of a challenge.

My starter for 10 is where should I be looking to buy film these days, and what film should I be buying? I'll generally be taking pics of the kids, and stuff around the house to begin with (I'm guessing ISO (ASA) 400ish??), but I'd also like to have a go at some landscapes (ISO 100ish??).

What about clour film? Is Fuji Superia still about, and is it still any good?

My next question is where do I get B&W (or even colour for that matter) film developed these days?

Sorry for the seemingly dull questions, but it's probably 10 years+ since i loaded my last roll of film.

Cheers

Aled
 
Hi Aled

Welcome here.

The best place to buy film is 7dayshop.com

I suggest you get Porta VC. Lovely film really. Superia is no slouch either.

For B/W either get a b/w C41 - its cheaper to D&P; or get Ilford B/W - expensive to D&P, but black is more black in it. Both variety available in 7DS

Fotr D&P: colour - some of us use 'Peak' or 'Club 35'. For b/W, in addition to these 2, some use Ilford.

Please post some results. What camera do you have/use?
 
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Evening Aled

Once again I find myself in agreement with Ujjwal - though i'd probably bypass C41 black and white (Ilford XP2, Fuji 400CN, Kodak BW400CN) and go direct to 'proper' black and white - either with Ilford FP4+ (125iso) Delta 100 for the landscape stuff or HP5+ (400iso) for the "around the house" stuff. Other alternative would be LegacyPro in 100 or 400 iso flavours. The 100 is a particularly smooth film, and i'm growing quite fond of it for landscape stuff. Processing - start by getting it done at Peak Imaging or (if you're feeling flush and want prints as well) Ilford Labs.
 
Thanks for the recommendations guys, It looks like FP4 and HP5 it is then. I might also get some Superia or Porta also for a play.

As regards kit, I don't actually have any (yet), but have a little bid on an OM10 on the 'bay. Is this an OK camera to start off on? From what I've read it seems OK. I'm not too bothered if I don't win this particular auction as there seems to be loads of this kind of camera on there. Are there any brands/models to look out for, or ones to avoid like the plague, bearing in mind that my budget is only £20-30 at the mo.

Cheers

Aled
 
I have until now been using Kodak BW400 pro black and white film. It cost me under £2.50 per roll of 36 but was on special offer at the time. I got 10 rolls from 7 day shop. I take it to Tesco for developing which costs 99p and then another £1.97 to scan the developed negs onto disc. The quality is so good that I just had someone asking me what my scanning regime was. If you look in the show us your film shots thread you will see a few.

The BW400 is about £3.50 now so total price is £3.50+0.99+1.97 = £6.46 per 38 images or 17 pence each which I think is not bad. You can then adjust the images on the computer or post them on here. I found that the last two done were much better (Tell the operator to scan them at higher res in black and white - which they will if you are nice!).

Doing it this way you have still got the negs which you can use to make your own wet prints later or you can send the JPGs to the print company.

LINK to post in thread

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=2881395&postcount=2757 to other post using same film.


bwfilm-103.jpg
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If you're getting an OM10, great cameras BTW,make sure it has the manual adaptor with it and try and get a lens or two with it, they come cheaper altogether rather than buying them separately.
 
Thats frustrating, I had an OM-10 with the manual adaptor for sale on here until 2 weeks ago with flash, 3 lenses, lens hoods and a bag.
The OM-10 is a great little camera and with a couple of zuiko lenses you will get some fantastic shots from. Very neat and discreet as well so ideal for street shooting.

Andy
 
donutagain said:
just an update for the above ,,,,ordered 6 hp5 and 2 fp4 from ag photographic wednesday ,,and they have arrived today ( friday ) :clap:
Click to expand...

Excellent, still working my way through my BW400cn Kodak film!
 
If your getting an OM-10 you may as well get an OM-20, its got the manual adapter built in as well as some other stuff not on the 10. I'm looking at getting one and on ebay they usually sell quite cheaply.
 
s162216 said:
If your getting an OM-10 you may as well get an OM-20, its got the manual adapter built in as well as some other stuff not on the 10. I'm looking at getting one and on ebay they usually sell quite cheaply.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I had considerd doing just that, but as luck would have it, i won an auction for a Pentax ME Super this afternoon, I can't wait to get my hands on it now!
 
Thats great, my dad has one of them that he got in 1982 with the 50mm f1.7 lens. It takes great pictures and from when I have handled it, I have found it a joy to use.

The manual mode is a bit different though, you have to use the two push buttons to move the shutter speeds up and down.
 
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