🎞️ Essential Film Buying Tips: A Beginner’s Guide to Photography

Starting with film can feel like a lot of trial and error – but that’s half the fun. To help you choose the right film and save a few mistakes, here are some basics to get you rolling.

📏 Know your format

Film comes in several formats, but if you’re new to this, 35mm is usually the best place to start (read: 6 best budget-friendly 35mm films (sample shots included)). It’s widely available, works with most entry-level film cameras, and gives you around 36 shots per roll. Medium format,like this Ilford HP5 (120 film), has its own appeal but costs more per roll and gives you fewer shots. So, 35mm is more beginner-friendly while you’re figuring things out.

🌞 Pick the right ISO

ISO refers to film sensitivity – or how well it handles light. Here’s a quick guide:

• ISO 100-200: Best for bright daylight. Stick with this for outdoor scenes or anywhere with good natural light. Example: Kodak Gold 200
• ISO 400: A flexible choice, ISO 400 can handle both indoor and outdoor lighting and is great for all-purpose shooting. E.g. Fujifilm Superia 400
• ISO 800+: Higher ISOs are for low-light or indoor shots. You’ll get more grain with these, but some people love that look. E.g. Cinestill 800t

When in doubt, ISO 400 is a solid middle ground if you’re shooting a bit of everything.

🎨 Try a few film stocks

Film stocks vary in color, contrast, and grain. Kodak Gold has warm, vintage tones, while FujiColor tends to be cooler and is great for landscapes. Black-and-white films like Ilford HP5 or Kodak Tri-X can add drama to portraits or cityscapes. Try a few and see what matches your style.

These basics give you everything you need to start processing at home. Film photography is all about exploring what works for you. Experiment with different films, take some risks, and let the process be part of the fun.