Which film for my Canon AE-1?

Annaa · Sep 16, 2013

I've recently added a Canon AE-1 to my camera collection. Even though I'm a loyal Nikon user, I couldn't let this one slip - it's in excellent condition and looks really good, plus it was a complete bargain.

I got a battery for it today and I've been making sure the camera works, testing it out and matching everything to the manual. Looks good so far, so I'm excited to try it out! I've loaded the only roll of film I had - a Tudor XLX 200. I've shot a few rolls of this film with my Argus C3 rangefinder before and they turned out fine, but the Canon is my first analog SLR so I'm not sure what film would be preferred for it. I'll shoot this film as a test roll, but after that I'd love to try some new ones out. Any recommendations or personal favorites? I'm open for both b&w and color. Thanks!

sandrat · Sep 16, 2013

Awesome camera.....velvia 50 outdoors Kodak portraits.

webestang64 · Sep 16, 2013

My personal favorites are....
Color print (C-41) Fuji 400. I don't mind grain. Scans very well.
Slides (E-6) I only shoot that for cross process in c-41. It's hard to like E-6 after shooting Kodachrome for years.
B&W, I really like Delta 400, T-Max 100 and Ilford HP5. (note- I do not scan any B&W, all my B&W is shot to print in the darkroom).

Gavjenks · Sep 16, 2013

Ilford XP-2 400 ISO film is nice for black and white, because you can get it developed at any random pharmacy or whatever that still does any film developing (c-41 process), which is not true of most black and white film types.

If you plan to develop yourself or send it to a real lab, don't worry about that, though. In that case, for B&W, I'd suggest Ilford's Delta or HP-5, or Kodak's Tri-X or T-max films.

The difference is basically just that Delta/T-max are more modern film emulsions, with uniform grain size. They look much smoother and more consistent and can hold finer details. Tri-X and HP5, by comparison, are more traditional type films that were developed for larger formats than 35mm. They are a bit "wilder" and grainier. The idea behind the modern films is basically that if you want the "look" of the older film types as they were originally shot in medium or large format, but in 35mm, you can use the more modern recipes for an equivalent "smoothness."

Basically just an aesthetic choice now, whether you like grain or not.

vintagesnaps · Sep 16, 2013

I use the same films in my SLRs and rangefinders, I think it's more about getting familiar with the camera and getting a proper exposure to get good negatives/photos. I too use TMAX and a variety of the Ilford films, they seem to all scan well. I use 100 speed outdoors/sunlight and 400 indoors/low light.

Edit - For processing it seems to depend on where you live or where you send your film; the camera shop in my area is part of an in-state chain so it sends all film to either its color or B&W lab. I started using mail order and there are options of just having film developed, and/or scanned, and/or prints made etc. (Drug stores and discount stores in my area have terrible processing!)

Have fun with your new camera!

peter27 · Sep 16, 2013

Kodak Portra 400, Ultramax 400 and BW400CN are all very nice.

gsgary · Sep 16, 2013

B+W on the cheap but still quality Agfa APX 100 or Fomapan 100-400, also ask around for old B+W film i get given lots of rolls for free that has been 25years + out of date and still ok, my favourites are Agfa APX100, Ilford FP4, Ilford HP5, Fomapan 400, i buy the Ilford by the 100 feet and roll my own, got 100 feet of Orwo UN54 coming soon i don't shoot much colour film but was given 5 rolls of Fuji Superia 200 that turned out very nice and slide i have used is Agfa Precisa (Fuji)

Annaa · Sep 16, 2013

Gavjenks said:
Basically just an aesthetic choice now, whether you like grain or not.

I'm all for the grain!

Annaa · Sep 16, 2013

Thanks a lot guys, I'll check your suggestions out! Unfortunately I can't develop myself (I don't have the equipment or the knowledge necessary), so I have to have a lab develop for me.

minicoop1985 · Sep 16, 2013

I like Kodak Profoto xl 100 in my OM-1n. GOOD grain (as opposed to noise with digital) looks nice to me. Here's a test photo taken with it:

R1-04325-0000_0001 by longm1985, on Flickr

Annaa · Sep 16, 2013

minicoop1985 said:
I like Kodak Profoto xl 100 in my OM-1n. GOOD grain (as opposed to noise with digital) looks nice to me. Here's a test photo taken with it:

R1-04325-0000_0001 by longm1985, on Flickr

That looks great! I'll definitely check it out.

timor · Sep 16, 2013

Annaa said:
Gavjenks said:

Basically just an aesthetic choice now, whether you like grain or not.

Click to expand...

I'm all for the grain!

HP5+ developed in Dektol or, more conveniently Polymax T (1+49, 20 C, start with 10 min, with normal agitation of 10 sec. every minute).

gsgary · Sep 17, 2013

HP5 1 hour stand in Rodinal in fridge, in DDX or Ilfosol3 all work well

WhiteRaven22 · Sep 17, 2013

My personal favorites are Ektar 100 and Velvia 50/100. I don't cross-process the Velvia, I get actual slides (I found an old slide projector on ebay).