A Crash Course On Different Film Types
Film comes in color or black-and-white negative type (for prints) or reversal type (for positive images, called slides, transparencies, or chromes).
Black-and-White Negative Films
Black-and-white negatives reverse the tones of the final print - on the developed negative, black shows as clear, light gray as dark gray, and white as black. Many professional black and-white negative films are available in 135 and 120 formats. If you choose black-and-white negative film, you must learn to develop film and print, or have a custom lab do the work.
"Chromogenic" Negative Films for Black-and-White or Toned Prints
If you want black-and-white pictures, but don't have access to a darkroom, one of these films is for you: Kodak's Black-&-White + (Plus) 400 film (ISO 400) is a new member of Kodak's Select series of consumer films, designed to be developed and printed by mini-labs.
If you want 36 black-and-white prints, Kodak's T-400CN film (ISO 400) and Ilford's XP-2 (ISO 400) professional films work in the same way. (For the technically minded, all of these are "chromogenic" films, meaning they are made to be processed in C-41 color chemicals, used by mini-labs everywhere.)
Mini-lab prints or enlargements can be made from chromogenic negatives on either black-and-white or color photo paper. With color paper and filtration, mini-labs can produce prints with brown, blue, or other tonal effects.
Color Negative Films (for Color Prints)
Color negative films have a built-in orange mask. Negative colors and tones are the opposite of those in a color print - dark red shows as light greenish, for example. 35mm color negative films can be processed in mini-labs everywhere, for 3" x 5" or 4" x 6" mini-prints, with the option of enlargements.
Transparency (Slide) Films
Both color and black-and-white transparency or slide films are reversed to positive chemically (an extra step during film processing). The resulting images may be placed in cardboard mounts and projected onto a screen. Color transparency films require extremely accurate exposure and are the standard for color reproduction in magazines, books, and other publications. Transparency films are best used by those with some experience.
Film Formats
Film size is called the "format." 35mm cameras use 135 format film. A wide choice is available. 35mm film comes rolled inside 12, 24, or professional 36- exposure cassettes, and is rewound into the same cassette after exposure.
Medium-format cameras take 120 and sometimes 220 format roll film that is 6cm wide. Many (not all) medium-for-mat cameras give twelve 6x6 cm exposures per 120 roll. 120 film is protected by a lightproof black paper backing and wound tightly onto a metal or plastic spool. After loading the camera according to directions, the film is advanced with a crank or knob in older cameras, but newest ones contain a motor. Exposed, undeveloped 120 rolls should be wrapped in aluminum foil to protect against light leaks.
Buying, Storing, and Processing Film
Comparison shop, but avoid unknown brand films. Check the "sell by" date printed on film boxes. Buy fresh film from camera stores, mail-order houses, or the biggest chain stores, where it is kept cool. Don't buy at tourist, newspaper or grocery stores. You will pay high prices and may get stuck with outdated or overheated film. Also, keep your film in a cool place before use, or refrigerate it. Process film soon after use. Select a mini-lab that does good work; the caliber may vary.
