The correct ISO to use on your film camera depends primarily on the lighting conditions you're shooting in and the film you've loaded into the camera.
Here's a breakdown to help you choose:
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Understand ISO: ISO (International Organization for Standardization) represents the film's sensitivity to light. A lower ISO (e.g., 100) means the film is less sensitive and requires more light, while a higher ISO (e.g., 800) means the film is more sensitive and requires less light.
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Match Film ISO to Lighting: The key is to match the film's ISO rating to the available light.
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Bright Sunlight (Outdoors): Use low ISO film (100 or lower). ISO 50 or 25 film is great for very bright, sunny days.
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Overcast Daylight (Outdoors): Use medium ISO film (200-400).
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Indoor with Good Lighting: Use medium ISO film (400).
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Indoor with Low Lighting/Night Photography: Use high ISO film (800, 1600, or even 3200 if your camera supports it). Keep in mind higher ISO films tend to produce more grain.
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Set the ISO on Your Camera: Once you've loaded the film, set the ISO dial (or menu setting on some electronic film cameras) to match the film's ISO rating. This is crucial! If you don't set the correct ISO, your photos will be either underexposed (too dark) or overexposed (too bright).
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Consider the "Sunny 16" Rule: A useful guideline for shooting in daylight is the "Sunny 16" rule. This rule states that on a sunny day, you can use an aperture of f/16 and a shutter speed that is the reciprocal of your film's ISO. For example, if you're using ISO 100 film, you can use f/16 and 1/100th of a second. Adjust your settings from there based on the lighting conditions.
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Think about the Look You Want: Different ISO films have different characteristics. Lower ISO films tend to have finer grain and better color rendition, while higher ISO films have more noticeable grain. Consider the aesthetic you're aiming for when choosing your film.
Here's a quick reference table:
| Lighting Condition | Recommended ISO |
|---|---|
| Bright Sunlight | 25-100 |
| Overcast Daylight | 200-400 |
| Indoor (Good Lighting) | 400 |
| Indoor (Low Lighting) / Night | 800-3200 |
Remember to read the documentation that comes with your film! This will also provide additional guidance.
