How To Shoot 35mm Film

This article will be alongside a YouTube series I’m doing all around How to Shoot 35mm Film. I created all of this content for in-person film mentorships I planned to do this summer, but you know, Coronavirus… So instead, I’m bringing it to you here, for FREE! Enjoy!

Got any questions, hit me up anytime on Instagram @tonywodarck.

Okay, let’s jump in.

Step 1: You’ll need to find a camera.

I’d recommend a 35mm film camera, an SLR to be exact. They’re inexpensive, reliable, easy to use and you can get 36 frames on a single roll which allows you for more chances to learn along the way at the lowest cost possible. Here are a few cameras widely recommended to search for:

Canon AE-1
Pentax K1000
Nikkormat
Minolta x700
Minolta SRT
Pentax Spotmatic SP1000
Olympus OM-2
Olympus OM-10

But truly any functioning 35mm film camera will do.

So where do you buy them? I recommend asking your friends and family first. See if they have an old one lying around you can use. If not, I’d try the following:

eBay
Facebook Marketplace
Amazon
Etsy
Craigslist
KEH.com

Make sure it’s tested and working. Your first camera is not one you want to gamble on. If you buy a dud it will be discouraging to this entire process. Pay a bit more to make sure it works.

Step 2: Look over your new camera

Give it a good once over. Try it at 1/1000. Does it sound fast? Try it at 1 second. Does it sound like a second? Look through the viewfinder. Is it clear? Does the light meter work? Does the foam/light seals look in tact? Is the battery compartment clean and free of corrosion? Is the lens clear and free from dust, fungus, haze? Chances are you’ll need a new battery. Go ahead and grab one now.

Okay, you’re ready to start shooting. Check back over the next couple weeks for more info as this YouTube series progresses.

You’re going to need some film too. This next part will be on how to choose your film. Coming soon!

Step 3: Choose your film

With film, you’re choosing the ISO you’re going to shoot at when you choose your roll. I would recommend a 400 speed film. It’s the most versatile. Meaning you can shoot it in the sun or the shade, or indoors with good light. I would specifically recommend Portra 400. Here’s some more details on how to choose in the video below.

Step 4: Set your light METER

Now that you have your film, you’re going to need to set your iso on the light meter you’ll be using. If you’re using your camera’s meter, set the ISO to the number film you just loaded. For example, if you picked Portra 400 film, set your meter to ISO 400. Then use your light meter to get your readings before you take each shot. Depending on the look you want with your film, you may want to overexpose certain films. I prefer Portra 400 metered at 320 cause it gives a bit more saturation in my opinion. Meaning I load my camera with Portra 400, set my meter at 320 and shoot the whole roll like that. I tell the lab to develop and scan it normally. Check out the video below for more info and examples.

Step 5: LOAD YOUR CAMERA

Seems easy enough, but there are some little nuances with shooting film. Watch the video below to see me load my Canon AE-1 SLR with 35mm film.

Step 6: Shoot your roll of film

New video on this process coming soon.

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