Film Starter with Basic Questions

[Telboon]

I've just moved from digital and started shooting film and had finished my first roll of film, Kodak Gold 400. Had just sent it to Grace's Lab for processing. After thinking through, I have a few questions regarding shooting film.

First, there's 2 kinds of scanning that Grace's Lab provide, 4 Base Scan and 16 Base Scan. The 4 base scan seemed to be the default option, however it only sums up to about 1.5 MP. Isn't this a very low res for a photo?

I've heard that film capture higher dynamic range of colours/brightness than digital. By converting my film to digital, would the higher dynamic range be compromised by the scanner/ file container?

For the storage of films (unprocessed and developed), would a dry box be suitable for storing them, or would room condition be better?

Also, please do recommend me places to buy films! Can't wait to try out different films =D

 

[sjackal]

I've just moved from digital and started shooting film and had finished my first roll of film, Kodak Gold 400. Had just sent it to Grace's Lab for processing. After thinking through, I have a few questions regarding shooting film.

First, there's 2 kinds of scanning that Grace's Lab provide, 4 Base Scan and 16 Base Scan. The 4 base scan seemed to be the default option, however it only sums up to about 1.5 MP. Isn't this a very low res for a photo?

I've heard that film capture higher dynamic range of colours/brightness than digital. By converting my film to digital, would the higher dynamic range be compromised by the scanner/ file container?

For the storage of films (unprocessed and developed), would a dry box be suitable for storing them, or would room condition be better?

Also, please do recommend me places to buy films! Can't wait to try out different films =D

First, there's 2 kinds of scanning that Grace's Lab provide, 4 Base Scan and 16 Base Scan...

The 4 base on is good for up to 4R print. Usually Lomographers don't go for quality, so they don't mind, in fact, some lomographers like. If you want high res then you have to pay for it.

I've heard that film capture higher dynamic range of colours/brightness than digital. By converting my film to digital...

Yes, dynamic range of the film is still limited by the scanner.

For the storage of films (unprocessed and developed), would a dry box be suitable for storing them...

Undeveloped, keep in fridge. Developed, keep in sleeves and in dry box conditions would be great.

Also, please do recommend me places to buy films...

Ruby, Triple D, Cathay.

 

[Telboon]

Hey. Thanks for the detailed explanation!

Another question. Paiseh ar, too noob le. Haha. If I'm bringing my film overseas, it'll go through the X-Ray machine. Will it affect the quality of the pictures?

 

[sjackal]

Hey. Thanks for the detailed explanation!

Another question. Paiseh ar, too noob le. Haha. If I'm bringing my film overseas, it'll go through the X-Ray machine. Will it affect the quality of the pictures?

Usually not a problem with lower ISO film. High ISO film maybe might get fogged if go thru too many times, like if you transit many airports...

 

[Telboon]

Usually not a problem with lower ISO film. High ISO film maybe might get fogged if go thru too many times, like if you transit many airports...

Thanks!

 

[crispy12]

Make sure you carry all your undeveloped film and film cameras with you as carry-on! If it goes through the checked baggage, might as well throw the film away. Recently in Brisbane I asked for hand inspection of my film but they refused. From what I've read on the 'net shouldn't be a problem I think

 

[betta01]

Usually not a problem with lower ISO film. High ISO film maybe might get fogged if go thru too many times, like if you transit many airports...

I have so far not encounter any problem with up to ISO 400 film, both undeveloped and developed films were alright after passing through X ray machine.
Not sure about the X ray effect on high ISO film, I recently brought with me some ISO 1600 film to mine office oversea, will test 1 roll soon.

Is this "X ray machine damaging film" tale true? Anyone with actual experience of damaged films to share? Or is it just an Urban tale told by too many misinformed people?

 

[azzurri]

Make sure you carry all your undeveloped film and film cameras with you as carry-on! If it goes through the checked baggage, might as well throw the film away. Recently in Brisbane I asked for hand inspection of my film but they refused. From what I've read on the 'net shouldn't be a problem I think

the hand checking varies from airport to airport. i know in the us, they do state up front that you can request for an inspection for film. but i usually run them through the hand carry scanner, so far no problem

I have so far not encounter any problem with up to ISO 400 film, both undeveloped and developed films were alright after passing through X ray machine.
Not sure about the X ray effect on high ISO film, I recently brought with me some ISO 1600 film to mine office oversea, will test 1 roll soon.

Is this "X ray machine damaging film" tale true? Anyone with actual experience of damaged films to share? Or is it just an Urban tale told by too many misinformed people?

the machines that i've seen usually state that they're film safe of up to iso800 so i guess that's where the figure comes from. do let us know how your film turns out

 

[zgim80]

The X-ray machine damaging film is an urban legend according to me. I went through 8 scanners over 2 weeks with films from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. No difference, nada.

So I'm inclined to believe some photogs just needed something to blame for their spoilt film and the X-ray machines became an easy scapegoat.

 

[sfoto100]

But in the past u can see "film safe" sign at airport x ray thing.. So it seems some will damage film

 

[JasonB]

Just because one person said his film ok in a once or twice experience doesn't mean everyone else's will be in every single situation.

It's no urban legend.

Baggage X-ray Scanning Effects on Film

 

[kgston]

Just because one person said his film ok in a once or twice experience doesn't mean everyone else's will be in every single situation.

It's no urban legend.

Baggage X-ray Scanning Effects on Film

That's only if you send it through check in. The hand carry scanners usually poses little to no harm. Personally I think bringing digital cameras up in the sky (on an airplane) is more risky and dangerous than film thru an xray machine..

 

[Telboon]

That's only if you send it through check in. The hand carry scanners usually poses little to no harm. Personally I think bringing digital cameras up in the sky (on an airplane) is more risky and dangerous than film thru an xray machine..

Hmm. Now that digital cameras thing is something I never heard before. What about it?

 

[kgston]

Hmm. Now that digital cameras thing is something I never heard before. What about it?

Saw a video presentation on youtube by an expert brought in by Kodak to talk about film and digital photography. He mentioned that when you bring digital cameras up on an aeroplane and it goes up into the atmosphere where the magnetic field isn't as strong, the gamma rays can fry pixels on your digital sensor. He claims that because of this, all digital cameras are actually shipped by sea. So why isn't it obvious on your photos then? He also says there are some compensating algorithm in the hardware to correct such errors, but up to a certain limit. Basically everytime you bring it up in the air, the sensor dies a little...
Primer on Film and Digital Capture by Rob Hummel at Cine Gear Expo 2011 - YouTube watch from 8:00mins

 

[Nikkornos]

The X-ray machine damaging film is an urban legend according to me. I went through 8 scanners over 2 weeks with films from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. No difference, nada.
So I'm inclined to believe some photogs just needed something to blame for their spoilt film and the X-ray machines became an easy scapegoat.

Were your film print film or slides?

 

[Nikkornos]

Saw a video presentation on youtube by an expert brought in by Kodak to talk about film and digital photography. He mentioned that when you bring digital cameras up on an aeroplane and it goes up into the atmosphere where the magnetic field isn't as strong, the gamma rays can fry pixels on your digital sensor. He claims that because of this, all digital cameras are actually shipped by sea. So why isn't it obvious on your photos then? He also says there are some compensating algorithm in the hardware to correct such errors, but up to a certain limit. Basically everytime you bring it up in the air, the sensor dies a little...
Primer on Film and Digital Capture by Rob Hummel at Cine Gear Expo 2011 - YouTube watch from 8:00mins

Not sure about that. My DSLR went between Boston and Singapore at least 30 times from 2008 to 2010. Still ok lah.

 

[nstclicks]

It's all a matter of keeping things in perspective. A badly adjusted x-ray machine could fog your film but then so could leaving it in your baggage if it's being transported by an overheated bus. You may never notice one fried pixel out of a million but a company that sells digital sensors would care because their customer is able to measure it and would complain about 3.4 vs 4.4 ppm (making up numbers here).

 

[zgim80]

Nikkornos: both slides and negatives, some e6 some c41 some b&w.

But of course like what JasonB says, I might be the luckiest guy alive with film going through without damage each time.

I suppose if you really wanna play it safe, then request for handcarry.

 

[Velectron]

Saw a video presentation on youtube by an expert brought in by Kodak to talk about film and digital photography. He mentioned that when you bring digital cameras up on an aeroplane and it goes up into the atmosphere where the magnetic field isn't as strong, the gamma rays can fry pixels on your digital sensor. He claims that because of this, all digital cameras are actually shipped by sea. So why isn't it obvious on your photos then? He also says there are some compensating algorithm in the hardware to correct such errors, but up to a certain limit. Basically everytime you bring it up in the air, the sensor dies a little...
Primer on Film and Digital Capture by Rob Hummel at Cine Gear Expo 2011 - YouTube watch from 8:00mins

I am not so sure if what he said is true.

 

[kgston]

I am not so sure if what he said is true.

I'm no expert myself but based on his credentials, I'm inclined to believe. Of course I'm always open to opposing arguments