Which film should I buy?. Review on Choosing the Best Camera Film

If you are reading this, it is quite likely that you are a beginner, with an ‘automatic’ or ‘point & shoot’ or an entry-level SLR camera. And you want to make prints of photographs that you can keep in an album or mail to your friends/relatives. So that leaves out the ‘slide’ films, and black & white films - which are mainly used by serious amateurs, hobbyists or Pros. I am also taking for granted that you are either residing, or at least developing and printing the films in India.

The review/suggestions below are keeping the above in mind.

Brands & Speed.... any difference?

For a more in-depth technical review on speed, please refer other reviews in the same section by hower and angelmedic21.

I have used Fuji, Kodak and Konica films at 400, 200 and 100 ASA.

Initially I felt that Konica (which is a bit cheaper than Kodak) resulted in all my photographs having a bluish tinge. I had a talk with the studio guy about this. He in turn asked me few questions and in fact, we saw the photographs together. We found that most of the blue tinged ones were taken indoors. He very politely suggested that the ‘fault’ probably lies with my camera flash – that it might be a bit weak. Or in other words, I should go closer to the subject. The above true anecdote tells us that we should know the potential of our camera and flash. The instruction manual will tell you upto what distance the flash will be most effective.

I used to insist on loading my manual SLR (Pentax K1000) with 400 ASA film so that I could be ready for any shot: be it an action shot, or night shot. If we analyze the pictures we have taken or will be taking, we will know how many ‘action/night’ shots are there/will be taken, and if 400 ASA is necessary at all. Previous reviewers have told us that higher the ASA number, larger the grainand this might affect a print quality. That will be visible when you enlarge it, or when you scan and zoom a part of it. You have to ask yourself as to how often you might be doing that.

The next situation is quite common: you need to take a photograph of a group of say 20 persons – at a party or conference. You may need to take a few steps back to include everyone in comfortably within the frame. Then, the 100 ASA film in your camera might not be good enough. With the maximum possible flash output (decided by the automatic camera) and film/camera combination will probably give you a dull, underexposed shot.

Choose 200 ASA – intermediate and versatile.

Which brand?

In India, maximum sales are of Konica and Kodak. Fuji is almost non-existent in South India, and Agfa is a distant fourth. We should remind ourselves that these are multinational companies, which have put in years of research on these products. All of them are good. But we should also remember that to get the best results from a Konica roll, it would have to be developed and printed as per the company instructions. Which would be followed in a lab using technology supervised by/supplied by/authorized by Konica. And the same goes for Kodak and the others. Which means…. you should probably be buying the film depending on which lab you are getting it processed in.

Will it actually make a difference? Frankly, not a significant difference to us consumers taking family / vacation shots. But the Pros and serious amateurs will definitely note the difference, and maybe we can keep that point in mind.

Choosing and interacting with the Lab

This is important and most often ignored. If you are not happy with your photographs, you should speak to them. Tell them what is in your mind. Like in my case, it could be remedied by taking a small step forward. Most labs will be doing a lot of bulk prints and all parameters will be set for the general populace. If your needs are different, they will process your roll separately. If the person discards your queries and does not wish to give you a better understanding / service, you should consider a more professional lab.

Films with Awards

Just in case you are interested in some statistics.

TIPA & European Photo Imaging Awards have chosen Kodak Royal Supra 200/400as the best film for 2003-04. Fujicolor Reala, Kodak Royal Gold, Agfa HDC plus, Fuji new Superiahave all won this award in the previous years.

‘Better Photography’– a popular photo magazine, has evaluated films available in India and judged Konica Centuria Super as the film for the year 2002-03. And Kodak Max Versatility was the runner up. The Konica has also bagged the European Film of the Year 2002-03. Both these are available in most labs and even general stores in India.

So there!

Now, you go and buy yourself a film, load your camera…. and happy clicking!