Question:
Interesting types of 35mm film?
reptilia
2008-07-07 10:37:55 UTC
I've been playing with film photography lately, and when I'm not shooting black and white to develop myself, I like to use color film for my fisheye, automatic and manual film cameras. I always use the same 35mm color film and was wondering if there are any different types of film that would produce interesting color results when developed. I know there are many different varieties they use to shoot movies, I think there's a greenish, desaturated one (?) and I'd like to try something like this for photography.
Ten answers:
anonymous
2008-07-07 11:41:06 UTC
Other than the few manufactures still out there making film, the best you may experience is the slight color saturation one company gives over another. Also, to get any 'special' film you either have to buy (order) in 20 roll bricks or 100 ft' rolls and load your own 35mm cassettes..



At one time, some 35mm movie films WERE loaded into 35mm film cans for shooters but the film had to be returned to the lab offering them for processing because the films did NOT conform to standard 35mm film processing OR chemicals.. I don't even know it any of these companies are still out there anymore..



Of course there are the Infrareds in BW and color slide film.. And there used to be a XR-C (Extended Response - Color) film in slide material, very hard to find now if not imposable (last I saw of it was back in the mid 70's) as well as a very thin based film for photo microscopes with a speed of around 10... Ilford had a near IR BW film (extended response in the red end) called SFX 200, but again, finding someone stocking it may be hard unless you live in a BIG city or a large college town.



Kodak offered special spectral response films that were once used in the science of astro photography and long, LONG exposures. AO-III and names like such were once common but now gone and replaced by CCD's and CMOS chips and special filters allowing far more sensitivity than film(s) ever could.



In the astronomy world there ARE special filters of strange and wonderful "colors" that if used with day light films could give some interesting EFX, but like many things "different", these filters are NOT cheap and finding them in a millimeter diameter size to fit YOUR lens of choice could be tricky at best. Filters that block out the wave length of Mercury Vapor lights or transmit Hydrogen Alpha light and on and on... What could they do with regular photography.. in daylight..?



Some people would bake film in their ovens for short periods of time or gas their film in mixtures of gasses in small home made vacuum tanks to get special EFX from their film.



Shooting indoor film outdoor or outdoor film indoor is one way to acquire a 'cheap' EFX.. Color filters are another way..



Shooting a E-6 slide film and having it developed as a negative in standard C-41 chemicals (made for color negative film) gives really whacked out colors, especially when printed as a 'regular' negative. Trouble is, finding someone to do this now-a-days may be tricky other than a 'pro lab'...



Finding X-Ray film to run thru your camera gives soft, often low density BW images of the world around you. Of course you will NOT get ANY kind of a X-Ray EFX, just soft BW negatives of what your camera saw...



Kodalith, a graphic arts BW film sees in 2 tones only.. Black and White.. No tones of gray in between. If used carefully and with a watchful eye this can give some harsh but curious EFX to rim and side lit objects. You can achieve the same EFX on your computer by turning any image into a BW then go into - Color Count - and reduce the count to two colors.. Not all images look good this way, believe me..



Trouble is, a computer and / or digital camera can give a gazillion more EFX than film ever could and many of these neat older films are either gone, going away or need to be bought in major bulk and hundreds spent getting them. Plus, one can scan film or a print, then "Photo Shop" it a million ways achieving almost any EFX you want. However, true IR and UV acquired images still need the film but the digital cameras can do it so much better and in the long run, cheaper, than film ever could. Almost ANY digital camera can capture IR or UV with the proper filter in place to block "white" light. The built in blocking filter WILL diminish some of the EFX but enuf will get thru to give you a pleasant view. Many cameras can be modified, having their cut off filter removed, but some cameras can be bought from the factory with it off already and some allow you to remove it your self, then replace it again.



Good luck and have fun..



Bob - Tucson
grzech
2016-11-02 14:31:39 UTC
35mm Film Types
Claiborne
2015-08-19 15:09:58 UTC
This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Interesting types of 35mm film?

I've been playing with film photography lately, and when I'm not shooting black and white to develop myself, I like to use color film for my fisheye, automatic and manual film cameras. I always use the same 35mm color film and was wondering if there are any different types of film that...
Diverging Point
2008-07-07 15:47:25 UTC
You should try getting a catalog from Freestyle Photo Supplies in Los Angeles. (They have a website, just google "Freestyle Photo Supplies") That's where I get most of my film. They have all kinds of different emulsions from MANY different companies (there's not just a "few" companies left that are making film - there are plenty. In fact, some companies went specifically back into manufactoring film, like Ilford for example.) I'm sure you've tried Kodak Plus-X for black and white photos. Arista films are also pretty good. Both give very nice warm tones and are very forgiving with exposure. If you get a catalog from Freestyle, they have a lot of interesting types of film, including films that are more sensitive to different spectrums of color. I saw one from Ilford that was more sensitive to red and could get create very dark skies.



For color, I mostly use Kodak Gold 200. Although I want to try different kinds. For black and white, I think my favorite film is Kodak Plus-X and Arista 100.EDU



I love taking pictures with antique mechanical cameras. You have much more control and creativity with a completely manual film camera, than just aiming a cheap point and shoot digital camera and pressing a button. It's more challenging and a lot more rewarding. I also develop my own black and white film, and prints with an enlarger. You should also try using 120 size film if you haven't already. I've taken landscape pictures with my Yashica A camera that completely blow away my 8 megapixel digital camera.



Also, lensmen was wrong about having to order special film in bulk. Like I said, just try looking in a catalog from Freestyle Photo and you will see plenty of different films that you can buy in any quantity you want - from single rolls of 35mm or 120 size, all the way to bulk load rolls. But there are dozens of other places too where you can order film. (I just happen to like Freestyle). Heck, I have a big collection of antique wind-up 8mm movie cameras and I have no trouble at all ordering 8mm movie film, so what does that say?? :)
Steven W
2008-07-07 12:24:28 UTC
Well, let's see - here are some:



Adox 20 ISO ultra fine grain - works well with rich tonality.



http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.php?cat_id=407&pid=1000002484



Oh, here's the near-infared Ilford film that Lensman was talking about:



http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.php?cat_id=407&pid=921



Here's a color-negative Fuji Pro 160 ISO that I am intrigued with:



http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.php?cat_id=1102&pid=1000001509



If you're more into Kodak's Color Neg film:



http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.php?cat_id=1102&pid=1000002883



Here's a nice Fuji Slide film - yeah, you'll have to have it sent to an outlab, but the quality of the stuff can't be beat:



http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.php?cat_id=1301&pid=1000002593



Here's a true black and white Infared from Efke



http://www.freestylephoto.biz/sc_prod.php?cat_id=402&pid=1000002291



I go through Freestyle Photo - they have a pretty great selection. I'd say try digging around in there. And yes, DEFINITELY try the Velvia 50... The stuff is amazing.
CSC78
2008-07-07 12:37:25 UTC
Velvia 50 35mm slide film is my film of choice!

The color is amazing
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2016-04-22 19:46:12 UTC
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2017-02-10 07:25:37 UTC
1
aperture64
2008-07-07 15:56:03 UTC
I like Fuji Velvia for super sharp and saturated images, and like to cross-process E100VS.
bigonegrande
2008-07-07 11:50:35 UTC
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