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What
Are The 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. #
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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