1. Choose a camera
You do not need an expensive camera. A fully manual 35mm SLR teaches you the exposure triangle fastest, and a compact is easier to carry. Browse the film camera dossiers, or start with these three:
- Pentax K1000 — the classic learning SLR.
- Nikon FM2 — tougher, faster, huge lens ecosystem.
- Olympus XA — a pocket rangefinder that is always with you.
2. Choose a film
Start with one ISO 400 colour negative and one ISO 400 black-and-white film. ISO 400 is fast enough for most daylight and forgiving of mistakes. Compare specs in the film stock database, then try:
- Kodak Portra 400 for people and warm, forgiving colour.
- Kodak Gold 200 for an inexpensive everyday look.
- Ilford HP5 Plus 400 for black and white.
3. Learn exposure
Three controls decide how much light reaches the film: ISO (fixed by the film), aperture (f-stop, controls light and depth of field) and shutter speed (controls light and motion). The exposure calculator shows equivalent combinations and the Sunny 16 starting point.
The Sunny 16 rule: in bright sun, set f/16 and a shutter of 1/ISO. Then adjust as the light changes.
4. Meter, shoot, and respect latitude
Colour negative film has generous latitude: overexposure is safer than underexposure. Slide film is the opposite. For long exposures, film loses speed — use the reciprocity calculator.
When in doubt, meter for the shadows and let the highlights fall where they may.
5. Develop and scan
Send your first rolls to a lab. Ask for development plus scans, and keep the negatives. Once you know you enjoy the process, home development of black and white is cheap and satisfying. Read our notes on the digital pipeline from negative to social media.