What Type of Film?

[annie5379]

Here's a question for all of you film pros out there.... I have a pentax 35 mm camera... very basic.....115 zoom. what is the best speed to use for night pics and Spectromagic? I usually use 200 during the day and 400 during the night, but my night pics don't come out as well as I would like.

Any suggestions other than getting a better camera?

 

[FatCow]

Can you clarify? Without really knowing what your problem is, it'll be virtually impossible for us to offer any suggestion.

 

[DeniseD]

I am a picture taking fanatic!!! I was so dissappointed with my night time photos from our trip in October. I always use 400 or 800 and my pictures are usually perfect. All the pictures from MNSSHP were very grainy. I almost went into tears when I got them back. The only savior was that my daytime pictures came out beautifully. I travel internationally a lot and I've always kept my film, used and unused, in my checked luggage and everything was fine. This time the film was checked on the way there but, put in hand luggage on the way back. I'm told that since 9/11 the x-ray machines that they are using are much more powerful than in the past and could harm your photos. Just be sure to take lots of pictures so that you have plenty if some don't turn out. Have a great trip!

 

[SparKeLLy]

Never put your film in checked luggage.

I'd try 800 speed.

 

[tink2]

If you still have them, I'd try looking at them. We bought a new camera several months ago. I'd always used 200 speed- worked great on my old camera. Terrible on my new one. Then I tried 800 speed- not so great either- really grainy and some blurry. I read the instructions and it recommended using 400 speed and it has worked terrific! I really think it depends on the camera!

 

[BamaTigger]

I am a photonut and I have a Nikon N65 and it has all the settings for different landscapes, but I always seem to do better with 200 or 400 speed depending on what shutter speed and aperture I use.

But if you have a basic camera, just try the 400 speed Kodak. And try not to have camera shake, that will make them blurry as well.
Nothing worse than grainy pictures!

Good luck!

 

[annie5379]

I need your help again regarding this film question..... AS I stated before, I have a Pentax IQ Zoom camera. When I checked the manual this is what it states under Specifications...

Auto film speed setting with 35mm perforated DX-coded film with ISO rating at 100 and 400. Non DX coded films are set to ISO 100.

Please excuse the next question, as I am not a camera pro at all... But, does this mean I shouldn't use 200 speed film????





Please help!!! Thanks!!!
Annie

 

[MKN]

With your camera I would use the film with ISO rating at 100 and 400. I like the Kodak 400 high definition film .

 

[annie5379]

ok... This brings up another question..... When I go to the Kodak web site, it says that the 400 high definition is not good in low light. Does that mean it would be alright if I used it with a flash?

Sorry to be asking such questions, but I really don't know!!

Annie

 

[MKN]

A higher-speed film may extend your flash by a few feet, so it does pay to use the higher-speed film, even indoors for flash pictures.
A dim-light film (also known as fast or high-speed film) is extra sensitive to light so you can get good pictures in very dim light. Use a film rated at 400.
KODAK High Definition 400 Film is designed for exposure with daylight or electronic flash; you can also obtain pleasing results under most existing-light conditions.

From Kodak site
KODAK High Definition 400
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/e7013/e7013.shtml#existing light

Existing Light

Subject and Lighting Conditions
Shutter Speed
Lens Opening

Home Interiors at Night
—Average Light
—Bright Light


1/30
1/30


f/2.8
f/2.8

Aerial Fireworks
Bulb[1]
f/4

Interiors with Bright Fluorescent Light
1/60[2]
f/4

Brightly Lighted Street Scenes at Night
1/60
f/2.8

Neon and Other Lighted Signs
1/125
f/2.8

Floodlighted Buildings, Fountains, Monuments
1/60
f/2

Night Football, Soccer, Baseball, Racetracks
1/125
f/2.8

Basketball, Hockey, Bowling
1/125
f/2

Stage Shows
—Average Light
—Bright Light



1/15[1]
1/15[1]


f/2.8
f/2.8

Circuses
—Floodlighted Acts
—Spotlighted Acts


1/125
1/250


f/2.8
f/2.8

Ice Shows
—Floodlighted Acts
—Spotlighted Acts


1/125
1/250


f/2.8
f/2.8

School
—Stage and Auditorium


1/30


f/2

[1] Use a tripod or other firm camera support for exposure times longer than 1/30 second.
[2] Use shutter speeds of 1/60 second or longer with fluorescent light.

 

[annie5379]

Wow MKN...... Thank you so much for the detailed report!!! The link was very informative. I will definitely go with the 400 speed high definition.... Now I'm off to the sales circulars to see who has it on sale!!


Annie