Questions about 35mm SLRs?

Question

I have an SLR that uses 35mm film, and no I can't get a digital one right now.

What is the best kind of film to use, that isn't to expensive? I won't be taking any motion pictures. Mostly still photos such as portraits and nature.

Also, I can't seem to find any guides on film SLR camera's (Only found DSLR). Just an all around introduction to them is all I need. Or how to ensure good photos with film cameras.

Thanks! :)

Answer 1

Take a look here:

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Almost-Any-35mm-Film-Camera

http://www.photonhead.com



The Owner's Manual for your camera is also a good learning tool since it explains how to use the camera and its features. If you don't have the Manual you should be able to find it here:

http://www.butkus.org



For nature and landscapes I use Kodak Ektar 100 - ISO 100. When shooting landscapes and most nature I have my camera on a tripod.



For portraits I use Kodak Portra 160NC - ISO 160, Natural Color. Portra 400NC - ISO 400 - is a good choice for available light portraits.

Answer 2

Greetings,

Best film, 200 speed Kodak or Fuji will do well and you can get them most places for a reasonable price. Both will work well for taking the kind of photos your wanting.



Later you may want to order some of the special films for portraits that you will not find at the big box stores and drug stores. If you look at the Calumet Photo and the B&H photo web sites you will see lots of films listed and then you can google them for more info.



If you can find the book, Basic Photography by M Langford, the blue cover soft back one you will have a great guide on how to use. Hit your free Library as well. Here all the books are about film cameras.



Hope that helps

Answer 3

There's plenty of good books out there. The for dummies series for example but also the complete idiots guide. Older versions that deal mainly with film can be found cheaply on ebay.



Taking motion pictures with a film SLR is not possible by the way.



Film SLR photography is not that different from digital SLR. Only thing is you don't get instant feedback, can't change ISO on the fly but you can't do any worrying about whitebalance either.



There's no single best film. There's good film for outdoor landscape work and there's film for indoor portrait work. It's also a matter of taste. For example, I really liked Velvia for landscapes but I know plenty of people who'd much rather shoot kodak.

Answer 4

Film: Kodak Gold or Fujicolor 200, cheap and easy to find processing. For black and white use Kodak BW400CN which is processed like a color film so the same places can develop it that do your color. Real black and white? Tri-X (USA) Ilford HP-5 Plus (everywhere else). And if you want a slide film try Fujichrome Reala or Provia.



You mean action pictures not motion pictures.



There are any number of guides, manuals for most film cameras are available online. If you have questions take your film and camera to a camera store and ask the "old guy" that shoots film, be nice and buy some film from him once in a while.

Answer 5

You don't mention if you are talking about film or digital 35mm cameras. I will assume film. 35mm SLR cameras did have an impact but the true pioneer cameras for documentary work were 35mm rangefinders such as the Leica. Portable, tough, lots of pictures on a roll, silent shutter all helped documentary come into it's own.

Answer 6

You can't take any motion pictures on a film SLR. It only takes stills.



Any bog standard 35mm film will do - try a local supermarket, they still sell the stuff - or even ebay. The only way to ensure a good photo is to take a good photo. Cameras don't take pictures, photographers do. Try your local library for books on film photography. To be honest the same things skills apply to both film and digital

Answer 7

There is no "best" kind of film. Different people like different films. (some people like grain, some don't. Some people like black and white, some like color. Some people like slide, others like negatives).



Kodak Potra is a favorite of lots of photographers who take people pictures (as was Kodachrome, though they won't process it after this year). Some people like Kodak T-max. Even regular supermarket film (either brand name like Fuji or Kodak, or generic film) gives good results.



good film is expensive. If you want cheap film, then get supermarket film.



There are plenty of guides on how to use SLR cameras (you can even use guides for dSLR cameras, since they both work basically the same). Have you heard of your local library or bookstore? It doesn't have to be specific to your camera model.



The principles of good photos are the same whether you are using film or digital.



If you can't find anything on google, then maybe you can't spell. I can come up with plenty of links if I just type in "SLR tips". Try again.

Answer 8

Hoof it to your nearest library and book store and quiz employees there on photography books. Give them same information you listed here and more as most likely you will have thought up of more by the time you get there



For cameras and film information, also hoof it, but this time to the best photography shops in your area. The ones the pros and amateurs use. And bring your slr camera and other equipment you have collected for it. Have a gab session or find out a good day and time to have a gab session and maybe even talk your way into finding a job there or elsewhere to "provide cash" your photography and gain some information and even experience in photography.

Answer 9

There are a ton of places both online and brick and mortar (places you actually go to) where you can get film. If you actually go out and buy the film you will likely be limited to 200, 400, or 800 speed film at places like Walgreen's. If you search online, you'll find a wider choice of speeds and so forth.



Here are a couple of my favorite sites.



http://www.guidetofilmphotography.com/35mm-film-camera.html



http://www.freestylephoto.biz/index.php



Contrary to what some might say, film is not dead.

Answer 10

You can join APUG(analog photography users group) so you can ask more questions about film. Freestyle and B&H sell film online. You might consider having your own darkroom.