Film
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All films have a measured sensitivity to light.  This is indicated by an assigned ISO or ASA number.

The 35mm film is the most popular film format, with a wide range of brands, and is available for prints or slides, as well as in varying film speeds.
   ISO   ........
   ASA  .......
   DIN  .........
International Standards Association
American Standards Association
Deutsche Industrie Norm
There are two major types of film - print film and slide film.  If the film's name has 'chrome' in it, it's a slide film and others, therefore, are print films.
VERY SLOW FILM
ISO 25 - 50
Optimum Quality
  • Invisible grain and razor-sharpness
  • Ideal for enlargements
  • Lack of speed requires a tripod
SLOW FILM
ISO 50 - 100
Lots of light not needing fast shutter speeds
  • Good general purpose film with sharp, fine grained and rich colour prints
  • Image quality is superb
  • Requires a tripod in low light conditions
FAST FILM
ISO 200 - 400
Low light conditions where fast shutter speeds are vital
  • Coarser grain and weaker colours (ISO 400)
  • Good for fast action in dull light or for indoor pictures without flash or tripod
VERY FAST FILM
ISO 1000 +
Ideal for low light conditions (i.e. indoor sport)
  • Large grain and poor colour,  Best used as a last resort
Slow films are normally only available in transparency and black and white.
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 400
ISO 800
ISO 1000
Bright Outdoor     -     Partly Sunny     -     Overcast     -     Indoor Flash
Bright Outdoor     -     Partly Sunny     -     Overcast     -     Indoor Flash
Bright Outdoor     -     Partly Sunny     -     Overcast     -     Indoor Flash     -     Normal Action
................................................................................  Overcast  ..............................................  Normal Action    -    Fast Action
.........................................................................  Overcast  .....................................................  Normal Action    -    Fast Action

Black and White
  • Generally panchromatic and, therefore, responsive to all colours in shades of grey.  Black and white prints can be taken from a colour original, but quality is lost.

Colour
  • A wide choice of film available.  Dye variations exist between the different brands.

Colour Slides
  • Colours are extremely accurate.  Colour and black and white prints can be made from slides.
Films come in a range of sensitivities or speeds for a wide range of lighting conditions and applications.  Film speeds determine camera exposure setting.

Slow Film
  • Ideal for brightly lit subjects, still life.  If light is poor, use a tripod.

Medium Film
  • Ideal for a wide range of subjects and lighting conditions.

Fast Film
  • Ideal for subjects in dim lighting conditions.

Ultra Fast Film
  • Ideal for low lighting conditions (dim interior, or outdoor dusk).
Remember to change the film in the shade to help eliminate fog marks on the film from direct, bright sunlight.
When buying a film, read the packet to note important details.
Format
  • The size required for the cameras - e.g. 35mm

Type
  • Colour, slides or black and white

Speed
  • Film's sensitivity - e.g. 100

Number of Exposures
  • 12, 24 or 36 exposures

Date
  • The latest date for the film to be developed

DX Symbol
  • This indicates that the cassette is DX coded
  • DX Coding is a system of coded markings on the film cassette that automatically programmes the film speed into the camera.