Stupid film-buying question

[Canice]

I need to buy film for my camera, but have no idea what speed I should get! (It's a basic point-and-click by Yashica.) I'm going to visit my mom at her new home near San Antonio, so I think I can count on lots of SUNSHINE :D Most of the pictures will be outdoors, I would think. The only problem is that I want to buy the four packs that are on cheapy special right now and will only use a roll or so in the 3 days I'll be there. But back home there's an awful lot of fog in the summer, and I will also be taking pictures indoors: Can I use one speed for all of this or do I really need to get two different types?? TIA!

[Heidi]

Canice,
I have this problem all the time! What follows was written by a professional photographer named Kelli on a scrapbooking board I read. I don't know that it specifically answers your question, but maybe the information will help you come to a decision.

"Typical film speeds come from 100 to 800, but there are films out there that are 25 and 3200! Film speed helps determine how much light the camera needs. Think of it as a puzzle... 100 is finer grained (more pieces), 800 is the "faster" because it has less pieces (but those bigger pieces show up more in the form of grain). 800 needs less light because those pieces are bigger and can be formed into an image more quickly. Still with me?

200 speed film is twice as fast as 100. 400 speed film is twice as fast as 200 and 800 is twice as fast as 400... The faster the film, the less light will be needed to take an image. Also, the faster the film, the better able to stop the action in a photo where people are moving quickly.

Now, which one is the best? Well, the lowest speed you can get away with! The lower the speed, the better the image quality. 100 speed has less grain and sharper contrast and color clarity. But... if you are shooting on an overcast day or toward night time, I'd up the film speed. If you are shooting sports, again, I'd up the film speed. On a semi-overcast day, I have been able to stop a baseball six inches from the bat with 400 speed film (but it was kindergarten coach pitch, I'd need faster film for the Rockies!, LOL). When you have a school performance where you are sitting too far back to use flash (most will only reach 20 feet max), I'd use a 1600 or even a 3200! You'll get a lot of grain, not as good of an image, but hey, it is better than no image at all. 400 is good for inside with flash.

Which film speed to use also depends a bit on your camera. The disposables use 800 because they have to! The lens on those puppies is so small that it really can't let in a lot of light. Point and shoots are getting better and most SLRs will allow you to open up the lens to let in more light and use a lower speed film. With the big gun, pro lenses, they are designed to let in a lot of light and allow the photographer to use a lower film speed.

For a good all-around film, I have always heard 200 for most point and shoots, 400 for the cheap point and shoots that the kids have, and 100 for most SLRs. If you know you are going to the beach, use 100. Buy a roll of 400 for you Christmas morning shots, and 1600 for the recital...

Confusing, I know, but I am hoping that a few lightbulbs went off. BTW, before I became a photographer, I'd always use 400 speed film. I figured that if it was more expensive, it must be better."

Clear as mud? :)

[MrsReber]

I usually buy 200 speed film. If your camera has a flash, this is fine for indoors. 100 speed is usually used for bright sunshine. I believe there are also films available that are for all kinds of light. I'm sure someone else will know more about that. I like to buy the fuji four packs because I usually have coupons for them!

[MKSquared]

I'd go with 200-speed film. It's a pretty good multi-purpose film for point-and-shoots. If that's not on sale (and for me, it never is), I'd err on the higher side -- grab the 400.

[Jewel]

I agree that 200 is the best 'all around' particularly for daylight shots. 100 is for bright light, and 400 is for night shots and very little light. 400 makes for nice shots, but don't plan on enlarging any photos you've taken with 400 film bigger than maybe a 5" x 7". 400 is a bit too grainy and doesn't enlarge well. Just thought you might need to know that! I made the mistake of taking 400 film on a vacation where we wanted to blow up scenic photos to 8 x 10's, and they were way too grainy...had to settle for a 5 x 7! ;)

[Mandy]

I agree with 200 ISO.

No offense, but if you're using a point-and-shoot, and will probably get your pictures developed at Walmart or the like, you probably won't notice the difference between 100 and 400.

A good general use film is just that. They are pretty versitile.

Have fun on your trip to San Antonio!

[JenZen]

I work with a lot of freelance professional photographers, plus we do a lot of our photography here at the magazine.

200 is your best bet, because it is all-purpose. You will still be able to pull off foggy conditions with that film. What the faster speed does is decrease the amount of light you need or the speed of your shutter. that's why higher speed films are need for sports. you don't have much time to keep the shutter open so you have to compensate with higher speed film.

anyway, most of our professionals stick with slide film because it reproduces better. they shoot either 100 or 50 speed. some do use 400 or 800 because we're talking outdoor photographers here, and you can't depend on perfect light all the time. when we blow these images up in the magazine, you can see the grain.

[BosunsWife]

When I had my old point and shoot 35mm, I used 200 speed and was fairly satisfied with it.

When DH bought me my new Canon Rebel manual/auto (complete with two different lenses), he bought me some 800 speed film. Its great for getting action shots of DD (three year old always going at mach speed) and outdoor shots. I'm not real excited about it yet for indoor stuff, but maybe with more tinkering I'll get the bugs worked out.