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Need Help Figuring out Filmstocks...etc.


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Maybe you guys can help me out.

 

I just bought a cheap K3 camera on Ebay in order to teach myself the fundamentals of shooting on film, before I invest more into it. I know I have years of learning ahead of me, but you gotta start somewhere.

 

What is confusing me the most right now is how different filmstocks affect the image. I'll give you some specific problems I'm having for a music video I'm planning to shoot.

 

First, what are the advantages and disadvantages of reversal vs. negative film?

 

What color filmstock would I choose for shooting outdoors in the afternoon to acheive a nostalgic, muted tone?

 

What b/w filmstock would I choose for shooting interiors to acheive a high contrast, grainy image?

 

Things like this I am clueless about. Is there any online resource or book that could teach me these things in detail? Just so you know, most of the work I'm going to do will be shot on film, but output to video.

 

Thanks,

 

Daniel

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First, what are the advantages and disadvantages of reversal vs. negative film?

 

Negative gives you more latitude for exposure errors and color corrections during video transfer and film printing. The black and white reversal films are a bit sharper than their negative counterparts. Otherwise reversal films are more contrastier. The current color reversal films in 16mm are based on an old 70's design so its not quite fair to compare them to today's color negative films (which have a different color pallette).

 

The disadvantages of neg film are 1) white dust which is much more noticeable, and 2) no direct positive image from the camera original, which is not really an issue since nobody who cares about their work will project or edit a camera original anyway.

 

What color filmstock would I choose for shooting outdoors in the afternoon to acheive a nostalgic, muted tone?

 

Ektachrome is an older color emulsion so it will do best for that 60's-70's look.

 

What b/w filmstock would I choose for shooting interiors to acheive a high contrast, grainy image?

 

The old Tri-X was ideal for this, 7278. The newer one may be less grainy, never tested it.

 

Things like this I am clueless about. Is there any online resource or book that could teach me these things in detail?

 

This forum's archives as well as the usenet archive on Google are a good place to start. Get some books, it really helps.

 

- G.

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Thanks George. That's just the kind of information I was looking for. After reading through the forums a bit, I must say you guys are really helpful to new filmmakers.

 

I am considering buying the American Cinematographers Manual. Will it have the kind of information I need about filmstocks...etc? I assume it will from the things I've read.

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The AC manual may be slightly more advanced then what you need at this point.

 

Check out "The Filmmaker's Handbook". It really breaks down film stock properties nicely. Also "Cinematography" by Malwiewicz is a tried and true book.

 

As far as b&w stocks go:

 

I did some tests with 7266 (the new 200 speed reversal film). I really liked it. It was fairly fine grained. It is a fairly contrasty stock, but I found over exposing it by 1/2 a stop really looked nice as far as smoothing out the contrast. It has about 3 stops over and 4 to 5 under. It actually held pretty good shadow detail.

 

Also, good call on the k3. Its a really great camera to start with. I like you attitude, its a great way to learn.

 

Kevin Zanit

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The Kodak website has a description of the characteristics of each film, along with technical data and a film comparison tool:

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/products...d=0.1.4.4&lc=en

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/products...0.1.4.4.4&lc=en

 

http://www.kodak.com/cgi-bin/US/en/motion/...s/comparison.pl

 

You can also use keywords like the film type (e.g., "7218" or "7231"), or the name of a cinemtographer to see if there are any other articles on the Kodak website that talk about use of the film in a particular production. Use the "Search Cinematography" tool in the lower left portion of the home page:

 

http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

 

The Kodak "Student Filmmakers Handbook" and "The Road Less Traveled" is also available on the Kodak website:

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/students...0.1.4.9.6&lc=en

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/plugins/acrobat/en....1.4.9.10&lc=en

 

Here is the ACVL handbook:

 

http://www.acvl.org/manual.htm

 

And an excellent Kodak publication on film technology:

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/support/h2/

 

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/support/h1/

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