Film Choices?

“Ok, I am leaving for Maine Tommorow to go hiking with the Twigster in Baxter. I normally just carry a cheap camera but I think I want to bring my Canon 35mm. What would be a good all around print film to bring?”

“WhenI used to use film, I used 200 and it came out very average on my cheapie camera. I used 800 one time and was very please with the results, tho it's a bit more pricey than the 200.”

“When I bring my 35mm I like to use 400 and generally get good results.”

“I bought a pack of 800 and the pictures looked grainy. I don't know if it might have been bad film or not.”

“lt -

Bring the 35mm. There are moose, and you will want to get decent fotos. A disposeable will ony frustrate you after you get them developed and have to point out the moose in the picture. If you have a telephoto lens, bring it.

The higher the ASA #, the grainier the result. At a 3x5, or 4x6 it makes little difference, HOWEVER you will notice a difference if you try to blow up the picture of bullwinkle to 8x10 or larger.

400 and above allow you to shoot in worse light conditions (the film is more sensitive to light), and therefore give you better outdoor shooting options on gray days . .. but you run the risk of the grainy factor.

I generally shoot with 200. Ifyou were guaranteed good, clear, sun . .100 would give you better options on the blow up reproduction end.

I will add that shooting with the 200, my telephoto required more light than it might have with the 400 and the shutter therefore stayed open longer. In two or three shots I got a lot of hand shake in the picture. I realized it at some point, and started using my trekking pole as a rest for the camera.

have a blast”

“Film will degenerate over time. The film you bought was probably old. If you store it some place cool, it will prolong the life of the film. I know people who even store their film in the refrigerator. What ever you do don’t leave the film in the car on a sunny day.”

“Lt, Moose are edge of forest creatures like deer. Lotsa dark woods behind.

So the choices are a fast film like 400, or camera support and slower speed.

A Lightweight tripod or a hiking pole that can be used as a monopod like the "Leki Sierra"


The slower film (100 or 200) will give better resolution and better enlargements.”

“I have heard great things about the new Kodak HD. It has a tighter grain structure than normal film. I would shoot with 200 speed, 400 speed tends to produce grainy enlargements. So if you are considering brings your 35mm for the photo opps, why limit your end result with grainy film? Use 200 speed and bring a monopod or tripod for the low light situations. I have a Slik tripod that weighs a little over 1 lb. that I bring backpacking.”