What speed film should you use??  This is a common question among new photographers.  I am going to try
to tell you in a clear and simple way, how to decide what kind of film to use.

When I say "what kind of film to use" I mean firstly, "what kind of film SPEED", not what brand.  We'll discuss
that later.  Film speed is indicated both on the film box itself, and also on your camera.  Film speed comes in
different ISO speed numbers, 100 ISO, 200 ISO, 400 ISO, 800 ISO, and so on.  The lower the number (e.g.. 100),
the less sensitive to light your film is, the higher the number (ISO 3200), the more sensitive to light your film is.
When you hear someone refer to film as "fast" or "slow", they are referring to ISO; "fast" film has a higher ISO
number whereas "slow" film has a lower ISO number.  When you decide which speed film to load, remember
to set your manual camera to the corresponding film speed.  Most manual cameras will have a selection dial
where you can pick which film speed you have currently in your camera. DON'T forget to do this!  If you have a
newer, automatic/manual camera, most likely your camera will set the ISO for you when you insert your roll.

Now, let's talk about film grain.  ISO and film grain go hand in hand.  Basically, "film grain" differs depending on
the ISO you are using.  A higher ISO is going to result in much more of a grainy print.  A lower ISO will offer a
much more crisp and clear image.  Keep in mind, that if you only develop your prints at the local photomat, you
are only getting 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 prints, in which the grain will not be visible on even a higher ISO.  I have used 1600
speed ISO and I couldn't see a major difference between this and 100 speed in a 3 x 5 print.  But, on the other
hand, if you are going to blow up your pictures to say, 8 x 10, or 11 x 14, then you may want to take care in selecting
a lower speed film to avoid graininess.  If you are making a print at 11 x 14, try to find some ISO 24, as this will
offer the most fine grain available.  Grain is not necessarily bad, some photographers like grain, because it gives
a picture a "dreamy" quality.  Experiment with different film grains, and decide for yourself.

Okay, now that we know what ISO/film speed and grain are all about, lets discuss some other very important
factors in deciding what film types to use.  Lighting and your equipment play a large factor in what type film
you should use.  Lets start with lighting.  On a bright, sunny day you do not want to load ISO 400 or greater
into your camera.  Why??  If you already have enough available light, and you load an extra sensitive to light
film in your camera, you won't be able to close down your aperture enough to block out the extra light.  Your
pictures will be over exposed.  On the same hand, you do not want to load ISO 100 or less if you are trying
to take pictures at night.  Obviously, at night, the available light isn't as "available" to your camera, and you will
want a film speed like 400, or even 800 that is more sensitive to light.

Now, here's where the equipment ties in all of this "lighting" stuff.  Say, for example, you have a tripod.  You are
out at night, and you want to take a picture of the car tail lights passing by.  You set up your tripod, and you load
your film.... What kind do you load you ask?  Well, on a tripod, you can load any type of film you like.  Why you
ask??  Because with a tripod, you can lock your shutter open for extended times, and allow as much light to enter
and strike the film as necessary.  So, if you like fine grain, load ISO 100 and set your camera to "B" or "Bulb" if
you have it, or lock open your shutter if you have a manual.  Now all you have to do is determine exposure time!
I am not able to give you an exact formula, but if you are trying to photograph cars, (i've done this before) usually
5-10 minutes is effective.  If, on the other hand, you are out in the dead of the night, and you want to capture our
celestial ceiling, you may be looking for another hobby in the meantime, because you will need to lock your shutter
open for periods of 3-4 hours or more.  As you can see, a tripod gives you the ability to add more light, and more
f-stops to your choices.

Not only does a tripod effect your choices of film speed, but so does the focal length of your camera's lens.  A
shorter lens has larger aperture openings (say 50 mm) and allows more light.  A zoom lens (say 35-80mm)
has a smaller aperture than a 50 mm lens, and allows less light, and less aperture openings.  A telephoto, or
large zoom lens (say 200-400 mm, or 300 mm fixed) may have an even smaller opening (depending on the quality
of the lens you purchase) and may allow even less light, and less f-stops.  So, the choice of film and lens you
use have a lot to do with each other.  Say you prefer ISO 100 due to the lack of grain.  You are outside, and you
want to take a picture.  You have ISO 100 loaded...which lens do you use?  Probably the 50 mm, which will
allow most light, since the ISO 100 film is not very sensitive to light.  You could also use the 35-80 somewhat
successfully, but then that depends on the condition of the available light.  Here's where your personal judgment
and creativity is going to come into play.  You have to decide what lens you are going to use, or which speed you
are going to use first,  and then pair it up with the other factor.  If you are using a large telephoto or zoom, almost
always you will want to use at least ISO 400, especially if it is an overcast day.  You basically need to practice
using different combinations, and see what your personal preference is.

OKAY-- now, some of you may be asking, "Why did she leave out ISO 200 film?? I can get it at Wal-Mart in great
abundance???"  Here's the deal.  In my personal opinion, there really is no point to 200 speed film.  If you are going
to use 200, you might as well use 100, and get the good quality.  I think 200 speed film is sold basically for non-
photographers who don't want to worry about film speed.  It is somewhat multi-purpose for a point and shoot camera
where you have no control.  My advice--avoid 200 speed.  It's just not good.

Well, that's it for my lesson on film speed.  Here are some links below to the major film companies, where you can
read up on different kinds of film available.  I'm also going to list my preferences for you.

Black & White - Kodak T-MAX 100 or 400 speed.
Color Prints - Fuji Super G
Color Slides - Fuji Velvia

  Fuji Film
  Kodak Film
  Ilford Film
  Agfa Film