Get started with Camera Film.
Buying Camera Film
Film photography is a great way to capture the moments in life that matter most. It offers a unique look and feel that can't be replicated by digital photography. If you're interested in getting started with film photography, one of the first things you'll need to do is buy some film.
There are a lot of different types of film available on the market, so it can be tough to know where to start. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the process of buying camera film and help you choose the right film for your needs.
What to consider when buying film
There are a few things you'll need to consider when buying camera film. First, you'll need to decide what type of film you want to use. There are three main types of film: black and white, color negative, and color slide.
Black and white film is a good choice for photographers who want to create classic, timeless images. It's also a good option for photographers who want to experiment with different techniques, such as double exposures and solarization.
Color negative film is the most popular type of film available. It's versatile and can be used in a variety of conditions. Color negative film is also a good choice for beginners, as it's relatively easy to develop and scan.
Color slide film is a good choice for photographers who want to create high-quality, color images. It's also a good option for photographers who want to project their images. However, color slide film is more expensive than black and white film or color negative film.
You will also need to decide which format is suitable for your camera, most cameras use 35mm film, but 120 (Medium Format) is also very popular.
Once you've decided on the type of film you want to use, you'll need to choose a specific brand and ISO speed. The ISO speed of a film determines how sensitive it is to light. A higher ISO speed means that the film is more sensitive to light and can be used in darker conditions. A lower ISO speed means that the film is less sensitive to light and is best used in bright conditions.
We have a wide range of films in stock so this ISO guide may be useful.
ISO 200 and below (Sunny day, Studio): Fomapan 100, Kodak Colorplus 200, Kodak Gold 200, Kodak Porta 160 (Pro), Ilford FP4 125
ISO 400 (Overcast days, action, sports): Fomapan 400, Ilford HP5, Ilford XP2, Kodak Ultramax 400, Kodak Tri-x 400
ISO 800 and above (Indoor, dusk, Dark days): Kodak Portra 800, Kodak Tmax 3200, Ilford Delta 3200.
Finally, you'll need to decide how much film you want to buy. If you're just getting started with film photography, you may want to buy a small roll of film to experiment with. Once you've decided that you like film photography, you can buy larger rolls of film.
Where to buy camera film and instant film
At Harrison Cameras, we stock a wide range of film and analogue photography products. We have colour and black and white film in 35mm and 120 formats, instant film and disposable film cameras. We also sell cameras, developing kits, and other analogue equipment.
How to develop and scan film
Once you've taken your photos, you'll need to develop and scan the film. Developing film involves processing the film in chemicals to create negatives or slides. Scanning film involves converting the negatives or slides into digital files that can be viewed on a computer.
You can develop and scan film yourself or you can take it to a professional lab. Developing film yourself can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be time-consuming and messy. Professional labs offer a more convenient option, but they can be more expensive. At Harrison Cameras we stock all the chemicals and equipment required to develop B&W film at home.
Our in-house lab develops both Colour and Black & White film in 35mm and 120 formats and also offers other bespoke services such as Push, E6 processing and printing services.
Get started with film photography
Buying camera film can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. By following the tips in this blog post, you can choose the right film for your needs and get started with film photography.
Harrison Cameras also has a huge range of secondhand film cameras in stock.