35mm
35mm is the classic film type that most people think of when they imagine an analog camera. Rolls of 35mm are shot, developed and usually scanned into a digital representation from a developed negative. I enjoy the control of scanning my own film in the comfort of my home and processing my films in Berlin at Safelight.
35mm is available as roll format via metal cartridges, usually contains 36 images per roll and features an aspect ratio of 2X3. I select this format when budget is a concern and the desire is to have multiple images for a project, or for when I conduct international film swaps with collaborators. My primary 35mm camera is a Nikon F2, whose lenses I also use on my digital camera, a Nikon D750.
Like medium format, 35mm comes in color negative, positive and black and white. Positive film is currently the most expensive on the market, but its ability to capture pure and vibrant color is why some photographers prefer using this type of film. In general, I shoot with 800 speed color negative film (like Cinestill 800) because many of my shoots are with available light indoors. This means that the images can be grainy, but the priority for me as a portrait and events photographer is to avoid using a bulky tripod and focus on strictly the organic movements in a moment.
Medium Format
Medium format, otherwise known as 120, is my favorite film type. Its surface area is much larger than 35mm, so the possibility for the capture of detail is much greater. Depending on the camera used, the aspect ratios for medium format can be square (6×6) or variations of rectangular (6×4.5, 6×7, 6×9, 6×12). It’s also three times more expensive than 35mm, so I choose the times to shoot my images with even more care and precision. My primary medium format cameras are the Mamiya C220 and the Pentax 67, my musical namesake.
Like 35mm, medium format is also a roll film, wrapped in paper and yields 10 or 12 images per roll. These rolls are shot, developed at Safelight and self-scanned at home so that I have total control of the color capture. I enjoy shooting all film types (color negative, positive and black and white), including expired film, as my personal projects prioritize experimentation with color as the direct result of choosing specific film types. For example, https://astrapentaxia.com/9_000-sq-8/ is slide film cross processed and multiple exposed via a plastic Holga and features a vivid and surreal color palette and intense contrast, as compared to https://astrapentaxia.com/9_000-sq-1/ which was created via my Mamiya C220 on Cinestill 800 via the, a color negative film type meant to more naturally capture available light indoors.
Instant
Instant film refers to anything where there is no extra development required – there is no negative from which to scan or make larger prints. Each shot is unique and unreplicable, however, I do make large scans of my images with my home scanner.
Instant Film usually comes in packs of 8 or 10 images which are loaded into the camera. Polaroid and Fuji pack film are no longer made, unfortunately, so lately I shoot instead with Fuji Instax or a Polaroid 600 one step.
This format is fun, easy and provides instant gratification.
Digital
While I view myself as an analog artist, I do employ digital capture methods if there is a logical reason to use digital. Usually, this is my standard for events-based photography, but my digital images usually still feature the dreaminess of my analog captures because many of the images are created with the same lenses I use on my Nikon F2.
My primary digital camera is a Nikon D750, which I also use to create video. I also use a Superheadz Harinezumi 2, which is a miniature toy camera designed to emulate VHS quality captures.