The Best Film

Buying Guide

It’s never been easier to take photos. You no longer have to purchase film and get it developed. You can snap photos using your phone and upload them. If you need prints, you can get those easily, too, usually by uploading your photo to a site and having it shipped to your home.

If you do choose to buy a camera, you can find plenty of digital options. Today’s 35mm cameras let you upload photos directly to the cloud, eliminating the need for film. Even many professional photographers use this option, with their clients often requesting digital versions of their photos rather than prints.

But film has undergone an interesting resurgence in recent years as amateur and professional photographers seek it out once again. Analog film brings unique qualities to photos, allowing photographers to do things they can’t do with digital cameras. It also allows artists to experiment with their photography.

If you’re planning to tackle analog photography, you’re probably going for a 35mm camera. These come in a variety of options, and you’ll likely find you need to pay attention to these specifications if you want high-quality photos.

There are three major types of 35mm film: transparency film, color negative film and black-and-white negative film. Color negative film is more popular than transparency, which is also known as slide film. But black-and-white film is also a good option, allowing you to shoot high-quality classic-looking photos.

Another option that has seen a return in popularity is instant film. A Polaroid camera allows you to take a shot and have it print out immediately. It takes about 15 minutes for the film to fully develop, at which point you’ll have a full-color snapshot. Even with the popularity of digital photos, many younger generations have discovered the benefits of being able to have a print just minutes after taking a photo.

• Shooting with film means adjusting your mindset when it comes to photography. You don’t have the luxury of shooting dozens of pictures and deleting those that don’t work. You also won’t have the luxury of photo-editing tools and filters. This means you’ll need to carefully plan each shot, maximizing lighting and getting the right angle the first time.
• One problem with film-based cameras is that you’re limited on shots. You’ll have to make sure you have enough film on hand if you head out for the day. You’ll also need to keep extra film canisters at home in case you need them.
• The ISO rating on the film you buy plays an important role. The higher the ISO rating, the more sensitive it is, which means your pictures will be bright. But if you have enough light to shoot with a lower ISO film, you can get better quality photos.
• The number of exposures is listed on the box of any film you buy. If you plan to take quite a few pictures, you’ll probably need to buy multiple boxes.
• Film photography gives you more room to overexpose a photo, then bring the highlights down later. With digital photography, you’re better off underexposing and later pulling out details from the shadow.
• It’s important to store film in a cool, dry place when you aren’t using it. Film also has an expiration date, so you’ll probably want to avoid buying more than you’ll need.