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			How To Understand your Camera and Film 1: Film Speed by David Barry Article Rating = 3.86 (22 votes)

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Category: Hobbies & Recreation : Photography Do you wish to be able to have more control in your photography, or to just understand better what your camera is doing and why? Are you confused by the terms 'film speed', 'shutter speed', 'f-stop' or 'f number' or 'lens aperture', 'lens speed', lens 'focal length', and 'depth-of-field'? Then you need to learn some of these concepts and terms in photography. FILM SPEED All films have a 'speed'. This is often referred to as its ISO rating (e.g., ISO 100, ISO 400) which are usually printed on the film box and cassette. The speed of film is a measurement of how efficiently a film responds when exposed to light in the camera. Some films respond more efficiently than others (because of how they are made) and thus a more efficient or more sensitive film has a higher 'speed' or higher ISO rating. So, for example, a ISO 100 film is faster, more responsive and more efficient than a ISO 25 film, but a ISO 100 film is not as fast or responsive as a ISO 400 film. This means that slow 'speed' or lower ISO rated film is more suited for pictures when there is plenty of light, whilst a fast 'speed' or higher ISO rated film is more useful when there is not much light. Probably the most popular films used by the majority of photographers today are ISO 100 and ISO 400 speeds. ISO 100 films are quite useful for pictures outdoors on a reasonably clear, sunny day, of people or objects which are not moving too much. ISO 400 films are faster and thus more suitable for pictures indoors, in dull weather, or at sporting events, where things are rapidly changing. Film speed should not be confused with the term 'shutter speed', which is a function or setting on a camera. Film speed is actually RELATIVE (not absolute). This means that, although a film manufacturer will print an ISO rating number on the film box and cassette, this should only serve as a general GUIDE. It is NOT to be taken as a rigid, never-to-be-doubted value. Whilst you can generally rely on a film ISO to be close if not exact, sometimes you may wish to depart from that, or test it to see how accurate that is. This is because a film will respond differently with different types of light, and because MOST films can have their developing modified, if and when the photographer wishes. Also, minor variations in the manufacture and storage of a film can affect how a film behaves. This last point is why some films are called 'professional' and are stored in photo shop refrigerators Film speed is useful for comparing films of different ISO, not just for their responsiveness, but also to compare their quality characteristics, which I'll discuss in another article. About the author... Submitted By David Barry Description Photo enthusiast Web Page not available Other Articles in this Category How to Understand Your Camera and Film 8: Using Filters by David Barry How To Understand your Camera and Film 4: Putting it all together by David Barry How To Understand Your Camera and Film 9: Filter Types by David Barry How To Understand your Camera and Film 2: Shutter Speed by David Barry How To Understand your Camera and Film 3: Lens Terms by David Barry How To Understand Your Camera and Film 6: Lens Focal Length by David Barry How To Understand Your Camera and Film 5: Film Types by David Barry How to Understand Your Camera and Film 7: Depth of Field by David Barry Other Sites Storkin.com - Baby and Pregnancy Tips and Discussion iPhone Games at TouchArcade.com iPhone Apps at AppShopper.com Health Articles Menopause Symptoms HIV/AIDS Symptoms West Nile Symptoms Diabetes Symptoms Pregnancy Symptoms Read other Articles - click here.