Q&A about film photography

Why shoot on film?

Unlike digital cameras, film cameras don't become obsolete. Beside that, you can push or pull film to create a style you like, and you can develop it how you want. All the process it's a joy and you can have a physical archive of your images not just digital.

Foma 100@400 | HC-110 | 35mm

If you use film cameras, doesn't photography become more difficult?

If you don't know the basics, it will become much more difficult and disappointing. Photography on film is a meditative process nowadays, it is no longer a necessary procedure. It's a much greater joy and satisfaction in using film cameras than digital cameras.

Why black and white film?

For the classic look, black and white film was the initial method of capturing images for quite a long time until color film appeared. Beside that, film has a higher dynamic range so capturing details in black and white will be better.

Foma 100@400 | HC-110 | 35mm

What to like about film cameras?

Mechanics, aesthetics, the sound of use and the fact that you can capture an image on a physical medium. All this at a much lower price.

Where to buy a film camera?

The second-hand analog camera market can be tricky, that's why I recommend buying only from reliable sources or even from people who deal with camera restoration. You can be fooled by something cheap if you don't have experience in checking the device at the time of purchase.

Foma Ortho 400 | HC-110 | 120 film 6x6

35mm or 120 film?

If you like stronger grain and want to shoot more frames, then 35mm. 120 film is more suitable when you want larger prints with finer grain. Currently, the prices of color films have become more reasonable for medium format.

Home or laboratory development?

You can start developing black and white at home, it's easy and you can try all kinds of methods. At the laboratory, different methods cost extra. I still recommend color to be developed in the laboratory if you are at the beginning.

Ektar 100 | Fuji GS645S | 120 film 6x4,5

Ektar 100 | Fuji GS645S | 120 film 6x4,5

Where can I find more information about the film processing?

If you want to find out about the developing method itself, you can watch the tutorials on YouTube, but if you want to find out details about the development times and the amount of solutions used, there are applications such as "Massive dev chart".

Does film photography make you a better photographer?

No. Never. But it can help you pay more attention to the photos you take.

If you need more information about film, I invite you in the comments section.

Keep Film Alive and Make Every Shot Count!