Bluecrab
Unregistered User
(4/19/04 8:27 am)

Film speed?

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To Michele and All

I will be taking my 35mm camera for our June trip{can't waite!).I have heard that film is more expensive over there and want to get a supply before we leave. I don't want to bring film that won't get used because it's to fast or to slow. Any suggestions?
Tks
Crabbie

garyvol
Unregistered User
(4/19/04 9:53 am)

film

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Hi Crabbie,
Cool nickname. I've been using Kodak's Maxi film lately. Seems to do well in all kinds of light situations.

-gary

Bluecrab
Unregistered User
(4/19/04 10:30 am)

Film speed

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Gary
Thanks for the quick reply. Is that the Kodak Max Plus 800, or the Max 400 film that you have used? I want to have enough of the right film and not bring unused film back or have to buy higher priced film while we're there.
Crabbie

garyvol
Unregistered User
(4/19/04 11:20 am)

film

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Hi
I forgot that it had a film speed number. I honestly can't remember, but I think $$ wise I would get the 400 speed. Let see what others think.

-gary

Anita
Unregistered User
(4/19/04 11:29 am)

Film

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Hi, I'm quite an amateur photographer, and when I went for three weeks last year I went down to a camera store and bought 14 rolls of Fuji superia 400speed. Fuji does perform better when you have lots of greens and blues. I also use slide film, which gives better colour saturation. For the indoor stuff in low light I took a photographer friends suggestion and bought one of those throw-away cameras with 800 speed film in it. It was easy to tuck it in my fanny pack and have it always available, while my 35mm was in my daypack. All of my photos came out fine. These days 400 speed film is versatile enough to work in almost any situation you're going to come across on vacation. If you were a serious photographer you would consider taking 100 or even 50 speed film for nice landscape shots you want to enlarge a lot, but for us tourists the 400 speed is great for all situations except the extreme. I also used the throw-away camera when it was pouring rain, and I didn't want to get my 35mm wet.

Carrie
Unregistered User
(4/20/04 12:17 am)

film speed

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I used Fuji 400 and all my photos turned out beautiful. Even in the rain!

Blucrab
Unregistered User
(4/20/04 7:56 am)

Film speed

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Thanks
Sounds like Fuji is the way to go! I appreciate everbodies help.
Crabbie

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2439
(4/20/04 11:00 pm)

Thanks Everyone!

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Thanks to everyone for their good advice for Crabbie. I have been unusually busy so it's great that everyone offers advice when I can't check in as frequently as ususal.

Michele

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 389
(4/21/04 4:36 pm)

Film

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I agree on the 400 speed film. There aren't that many times that the sun is so bright that you need lower speed and unless you are intending to blow them up to larger than at least 8x10, you should be fine. The last trip I took two camera bodies and 200 and 400 speed film and rarely used the 200 speed. I came back with a bunch of extra rolls.

The Max lines of film are meant for point and shoot cameras. They have enhanced colors to compensate for cheaper lenses in those cameras. You should probably use professional film which is very hard to find in Ireland other than Dublin. I used both Fuji and Kodak Portra vivid color and quite frankly, the results were almost impossible to distinguish.

Buy a lead bag to protect your film from the scanners and DO NOT pack the film in your suitcases. Put them in your carry on.

This year I'm going digital and see how I feel about it at the end. I bought a Minolta A1 and we'll see how that works. I keep thinking I may never use my film cameras again. So far, the quality looks pretty good.

Hope this helps.

Bill

Bluecrab
Unregistered User
(4/22/04 8:07 am)

Great advice

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Thanks Bill

There's nothing like hearing from someone thats been there done that. I was afraid if I took 200 speed film with me that I'd be bringing most of it back. Thanks for the heads up !
Crabbie

MouseHunter
Unregistered User
(4/22/04 11:32 am)

Film

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We've been using a digital for a couple of years now. I would hate to go back to a film camera for general use.

I shoot at the highest resolution the camera can handle (1600x1200). You get better print quality at higher resolutions especially if you do enlargements.
You will want to have more than one memory module. I have three 2 128MB and the 16MB that came with my camera. I would not get memory less than 128MB. You tend to take more shots as you can see them right away and delete the bad ones.

I do a daily download to my laptop so the 2 modules has always been enough.(I can get about 150 shots with a 128MB module)
If you don't download you will need more modules.

Syv
Unregistered User
(4/22/04 5:35 pm)

film speed

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Personally, I always use Fuji 200 film speed & people tend to rave about my photos turning out so great.

My boss (for his professional work photos in the insurance business) swears by 100 film speed.

Who knows?! Just enjoy yourself. Take lots of pictures. Buy a few post cards "just in case"

stannseniors
Registered User
Posts: 99
(4/23/04 9:43 am)

Re: Film

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i didn't take the time to read all the replies - so i'm sorry if i repeat but it is my understanding ( i have an art degree - for what it's worth) -- Fuji film should be used for outdoors - the blues of the sky (ha ha in Ireland right?) are more vivid blue and ocean shots are clearer - etc. Kodak should be used for more indoor shots - weddings, birthdays, general pics. So, i would say use Fuji over all for vacation pics. 400 speed is also the best - anything over that is overkill - some photographers will argue but for the mass of people - it is the fastest speed you need.

**let me add: DO NOT pack any film in your suitcase - we made a horrible mistake and left 16 rolls in our suitcase and it went through the x-ray before the gaurds told us how bad it was for film, we had to buy 12 or so more rolls and have someone bring it to us at the airport. We weren't sure if it was going to affect the film or not and i didn't want to take any chances. Just thought i would pass on the experience so no one else had to go throught that.

wojazz3
Registered User
Posts: 391
(4/23/04 10:36 am)

more film speed

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I agree that 200 speed is better but Ireland is notorious for cloudy days and many times the lower light makes it difficult to have a wider set of options for aperatures. Like I said, I took two camera bodies, one with 200 and one with 400. I used twice as much 400, but we had a lot of rain. I still think that the Kodak Portra line has some good options and they seemed to work well outside.

Bill

Bluecrab
Unregistered User
(4/23/04 11:33 am)

Film speed

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Thanks all. I'm trying to soak up all the good advice! We leave the first week of June........Can't wait!!!!!!
Crabbie

Ps Michele Thank you for this forum it provides a wealth of info and is sure to make everybodies trip BETTER !

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 2449
(4/23/04 5:39 pm)

The Forum

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Hi Crabbie,

Thanks for your comments about my forum. Having a little fun while doing some Ireland trip planning is what it's all about. I'm sure you are counting down each day till you leave for your trip.

Michele