Film developing on board

[Alex]

I usually carry a digital camera and my 35mm camera. The 35 will still do a lot of things that a digital can't touch. I had several rolls of film developed on the ship and I thought the price was very reasonable and the quality excellent!
They were able to handle a roll of 1600 ASA Fuji Profesional film with no problem and that's a bit of an oddball.

 

[ChattyKathy]

Originally posted by Alex
and that's a bit of an oddball.

What IS an oddball, LOL, *wink,wink*



Kathy

 

[brack]

I too have a 35mm and a digital but prefer the 35mm (Canon EOS1). I develop some of mine onboard and found them to be good quality and not too expensive.

I wonder if they can do B&W though? My next cruise I plan to take some B&W and it would be nice to make sure they come out before I get home.

 

[Alex]

hmmm I didn't think to ask that but I did see some that they produced so I suspect they can.

 

[jilljill]

I also found the price and quality to be very good. The prices are more reasonable on the ship than at the parks.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Originally posted by brack
I
I wonder if they can do B&W though? My next cruise I plan to take some B&W and it would be nice to make sure they come out before I get home.

On one of the nights, the formal pics they took were in B&W, so I would think they can print it for you.

 

[feenie]

How much does it usually cost to get a 24 exposure roll developed?

 

[MrsPete]

If your B&W film is C-141 style (the "new" stuff that is printed on color photograph paper and is "softer" than true B&W), then any developing place should be able to print it for you -- and for the same price as color developing because it's all the same.

On the other hand, if it's true professional B&W, maybe. Here at home, I have to send mine away and it costs about $20 per roll to develop.

 

[TiggerPU88]

I have never devloped my film on board. Do they do both glossy and matter finish? Can they give me a CD of the photos, too?

Thanks!

-- Adrienne : )

 

[LAMPSKIES]

We did a Christmas post card with us at CC. They did and excellent job!!!!!!.....Glossy and done in 3 hours!!!

 

[brack]

I have used some of the C-41 process B&W and don't really like it. It's not bad but its not real B&W. It has almost a sepia look to it.

I know that B&W developing is a bit more expensive because it not widely used and most of it done by hand. Here on Oklahoma I pay about twice what I pay for regular color.

 

[MrsPete]

Brack -- I agree with you. I don't really care for the "softer" B&W film either -- I think most people prefer the crisp look of the black blacks and the white whites in the professional film. BUT most people don't realize there's a difference, so they walk into Eckerds and pick up the most common stuff (the C-41) . . . then when it looks, well, average . . . they assume it's their camera. Since I teach photography, I've heard this reaction many times: "You mean there's a difference in FILM? No way!"

Two more tips on taking good B&W photographs:

Take care to keep your backgrounds SIMPLE in B&W photography. Too much "visual clutter" will ruin a B&W photograph. Outdoor photographs are my favorites for B&W: beaches, mountains . . . you can't beat it.

If you have an SLR camera, pick up an orange or red filter (less than $10 at Wolfe Camera). It'll add more "oomph" to your B&W photographs -- it adds more crispness, but no color will appear in your photographs.

 

[SueEllen]

I always get all of my film developed on board. That way I know what turned out and what didn't. I love the pictures my SLR takes, and for quality it beats a digital any day. I love my digital camera, but the lasting quality of the develped picture vs. the printed digital picture cannot even be compared.

The prices are not bad at all and the quality is excellent. You also get a "proof sheet" with your pictures at no additional cost. With each roll developed you also get a free picture of the ship.

Oh, and Mrs. Pete--thanks for the tip about the film difference.

Sue Ellen

 

[Alex]

I wanted to post some pictures but I am afraid of the grade MrsPete will give me!!

 

[MrsPete]

Aw, come on and post 'em! I promise to keep my red pen to myself!

 

[Alex]

Ok MrsPete but don't be too harsh

Pictures!

 

[brack]

MrsPete: thanks for the reminder about the filters. I'll be sure to get one before my cruise.

I do like "real" B&W. One of my favorites is a picture that I took of my dad some years ago. It has a very simple background with some overhead light and little fill flash. Simple, closeup portraits are very good in B&W.

 

[Jeanny]

thanks Mrs. Pete for the tips. Jacqui & I were in Target yesterday afternoon looking for an underwater camera (for parasailing) and we were talking about B&W film. Both of us want to try our hand at it, both of my camera's are the advantix style and she has a digital......

 

[berly1657]

Mrs. Pete

Should we use a filter for beach shots etc..and what one?



Alex,

How much did it cost to develop film on board?

 

[MrsPete]

Alex -- nice pix!

Beach shots with an SLR camera (digital or 35MM):

For B&W film: Use a yellow or orange filter. I love red filters for B&W, but they might be a little strong for the sun-filled beach. These filters will add emphasis to your subjects.

For color film: Use a blue filter to emphasize the water and the sky -- it'll make a difference! Or, if you're taking pictures of the foliage, consider a green filter.

Whether you're using B&W or color, use a polarizing lens (sometimes called a circular polarizer). This lens increases color saturation, reduces glare, and makes everything stand out more. It's especially good for nature pix with lots of cloud and sky. I keep my polarizing lens on my camera 100% of the time -- I add the other lenses over the top. Why? If I scratch a $10 lens, I'm not going to be very upset; if I scratch my $200 lens, I will cry!

For good all around beach pictures:

Choose 100 or 200 speed film. Avoid disposables that come pre-loaded with 800 speed color film; there's a distinct loss of color quality when you move up to 800 speed film, and there's little need for the speed on the beach. I use 800 only for indoor basketball games, but never without an FL-W filters, which reduces the greenish tint thrown off by flourescent lights.

Remember the rule of thirds -- imagine there's a tic-tac-toe grid across your lens, and place your subject on one of the cross-pieces.

Get close to your subject -- a zoom lens is wonderful.

Don't shoot into the sun -- unless, of course, you want a picture of your subject in sillouette against the ocean. I took some great pictures of my husband on the beach at Thanksgiving using this technique. The sun is setting behind him, you can see the sun's glare on the water, and my husband is walking all alone on the beach. Great pictures -- just be sure you do this on purpose, not by accident!