What films to buy?

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

In a conversation I had with a photographer last night, it seems my choice to buy Kodak Gold films wasn't a wise move.

What 35mm film to people here use and recommend. I'm looking at colour film mainly at the moment as they're cheaper to get processed. 400asa or less.

Thanks

Esox lucius · Expire: 2011-11-18

What do you intend to shoot? Do you print large?

For landscapes and nature I think there is no competition to Velvia's vibrant red, green and blue tones. But that's slide film. For color negative film I prefer Fujicolor Pro 160 for skin tones and Reala for general purpose outdoor.

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

I have good experience only with Fuji S160 Pro and Fuji Reala.
I like to use better slides Fuji Provia 100, Fuji Velvia 50 , Velvia 100 (magenta cast!) Fuji Sensia 100.

If you would like to save money look expired film what is cold stored and not expire more than 1-2 years. Some seller is really safe, because they are purchase in batch and test out one roll before sell them. I know Ebay seller UltrafineOnline who doing this.

my_photography · Expire: 2016-12-25

When I was shooting film, most of the time I use Fuji for scenary as I like the color it produces. Kodak, I think is better for indoor people shots.

marty · Joined: 09 Apr 2009 Posts: 767 Location: Italy

Hi.

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

GrahamNR17 · Expire: 2012-09-06

I think it's quite hard these days, and indeed for the last 20 years, to buy a truly bad quality film. It is, however, very easy to get them very badly processed and printed.

For many years I grew to really love Kodak Gold, it was my favourite 'consumer' film. I also had a great fondness for Ektar. Similarly, I had many good results from 3M/Scotch colour neg stock, but I think they have since sold-off the Ferrania plant and no longer make film. I imagine someone is. Konica film was always very nice too, are they still churning it out?

Fuji is nice stuff too, I agree with Atilla there. But on the whole, if you find a good processor you won't get truly bad results from anything.

I've been checking-out the available black and white films recently. I still adore Kodak Plus-X, though Tri-X seems different to 20 years ago. Adox has gone over to using a clear polyester film base, and it's a disaster. For the first time in history I am seeing static electricity discharges on my frames, ruining my shots Sad

But that's going too far off topic Rolling Eyes

I'd be interested to hear your findings with current film Smile

martinsmith99 · Expire: 2013-11-18

Here's the Kodak Gold 200iso.

Taken on Vivitar 35ES rangefinder:

And the 400iso expired over a year before.

Pentax Spotmatic SPii with 24mm Ensinor lens:

Spotty again with 35mm Flek:

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Fuji Provia 100 (slide) is in my opinion the best film available today.

spiralcity · Joined: 02 Oct 2008 Posts: 1207 Location: Chicago, U.S.A

Velvia 50 for landscapes.
I shoot Reala 100 for general purposes.
I like Kodak Porta 160 NC for portraits.

Reala 100 print film.

mUg · Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Posts: 128

A lot of people seem to stick more to Fuji, i personally do it aswell, i like a lot Superia X-tra (maybe the cheapest but still good) and Reala. 160 iso film from both Kodak and Fuji seems to be good, Kodak has Portra (which also comes in 400 and 800 flavour) and Fuji has the NPS and the NPC ones.

I avoid Fujicolor and Ferrania film, i've tried a roll of both, 100 iso, and they were both grainy (but the Fuji was decent on other sides). I've always thought Kodak Gold belonged to the same commercial line, but seems that depends on the development, since someone posted very nice samples taken with it.