Adam Trahan: 35mm Film

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Photography Basics

At this time, a roll of 36 exposures cost between $12 to $60 per roll. I have to buy Fuji from shops in Japan through order houses. Development and scanning is a minimum of $25 per roll. The film plus the dev/scan makes each press of the shutter release about $2 each for the final digital file. In the last year, I have processed 30+ rolls of film. Film is expensive, feeding four film cameras is expensive. I’m primarily use the F6 and FE for 35mm. The Mamiya 645 for 120.

I love the whole process of film photography. I do it for fun.

Earlier this year, I bought a digital SLR, the Nikon D780, it’s a lens junkies DSLR. With a digital camera, pictures are close to perfect each time however, the magic is not there like it is with film. But I do enjoy being able to take a lot of pictures, making adjustments on the fly and previewing the results.

The risk and reward is higher with film. When it all comes together with film, it’s so much more rewarding.

I hope a little film magic shows in the pages found within my blog.

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Fuji Provia color slide film (E-6 processing)

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Fuji Velvia color slide film (E-6 processing)

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Fuji Velvia color slide film (E-6 processing)

I absolutely love Velvia 50 for the intense bright sun. I have to buy all my Fuji film from Amazon. There are chemicals on these films (Provia and Velvia) that are banned in the USA. I still use it. The below left picture is from my F3 and the Nikkor 15mm f3.5 AIS. The below center and right pictures are from the same roll with the Nikkor 35mm f1.4 AIS. Velvia colors rendered in intense bright sun with a Nikon NC filter is just amazing.

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Kodak E100 color slide film (E-6 processing)

I had my first real full roll of film through my FE2 that almost every photograph made me happy. A roll of nearly all keepers. I’m getting to know E-100 and it’s readily available.

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Kodak Ektar color negative film (C-41 processing)

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Kodak Portra color negative film (C-41 processing)

Wow, I’m really liking Portra 800 with my Nikkor 50mm f1.8 AIS. Note to self: Use Portra 800 more. It makes nice pics. I’m going to shoot it more often in the future. Below are a few shots with this combo through the FG.

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Kodak Kodacolor color negative film (C-41 processing)

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Ilford black and white negative film (standard B&W developing)

This roll of HP five was shot through my F3 and my Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AIS with a Nikon Y52 (yellow) filter. I need to study more on the use of filters. How does a yellow filter affect black and white film? It darkens the sky and increases contrast, that’s what I understand. The time I spend taking pictures is not optimal. Not golden hour, before sunset or blue hour, first light. Nope, I’m out there in the bright blown out AZ sun. I need to get better at intense sunlight photography and really take advantage of blue and golden hour.

I like Ilford for black and white film. I’m starting to shoot more, it’s fun. I’m studying the techniques in shooting it. I don’t do any post production manipulation of any of my photos. They are all straight from dev/scan.

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Ilford black and white negative film (standard B&W developing)

I’m actually pretty new to B&W film. I don’t have an opinion on HP5, FP4+ or Delta 100. I just don’t know enough about Ilford. That’s going to take some time. I do know that busy pictures look good and are easy to take. On the opposite side, very simple pictures get it done too. I’m going to work on my black and white game.

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Ilford black and white negative film (standard B&W developing)

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Ilford black and white negative film (standard B&W developing)

Although it’s only one roll that I went through, I’m not a huge fan. But, in the right place, this could be killer for the feels. Definitely dark and moody, the large grain, but detail. I’m going to buy another roll to have on hand, for the desert.

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Flic Film color slide film (E-6 processing) 100 asa

The local film lab guys suggested this film. I told them I liked E-100 and they said try this. I was told this is 35mm movie film re-purposed for film camera usage. I really like the idea of it yet I’m slightly apprehensive of the plastic cartridge it comes in. I’ll check it out soon.