I've been documenting my life through photography for a long time now. It all started with my first trip overseas to Ukraine in 2004. I've primarily been shooting digital ever since that time, but have been implementing more and more film into my kit over the last 3 or 4 years. Right now my kit consists of a Fujifilm Xpro-2 with 35mm f2.0 lens, Canon AE-1 Program with 50mm 1.8 lens, Canon QL17, and occasionally a holga. I pack all of this up into one of my many bags (I have a real bag problem, which my wife, Jessi, says is an understatement, but that's another blog post for another time).
My wife and I are currently in the process of adopting our son from South Korea (also another post for another time). This involves two trips to Korea (yes!). I've never taken a trip in which I completely left my digital kit at home and went full-on film. However, after encouragement from a good friend I thought it might be good to get out of my comfort zone and do a whole trip with 35mm film only. I bought 5 rolls of Fujicolor Pro 400H, and 5 rolls of Kodak Ektar 100. My goal was to have one camera always loaded with 100 speed film, and another always loaded with 400 so that I would be ready for most lighting situations.
I'd also like to say that I am not a professional photographer by any means. The AE-1 was given to me from my mom, and I bought the QL17 on ebay for $50 (and it works!). I use the in-camera meter on both cameras. I have shot a couple of weddings, and I've had one photo in a magazine, but I'm not a professional who gets paid for this kind of thing. This was purely an experimental trip, dabbling in the old art form of film photography.
All I have to say is: wow. This really pushed me to evaluate the scene, the light, the subject, and work with limited resources. I also experimented with overexposing the films, underexposing, and pushing the film in development. I shot a total of 6 rolls. Let's walk through them one roll at a time.
ROLL 1 - FUJI PRO 400H IN AE-1 - SHOT AT BOX SPEED
In general this is a true to life film with fine grain. I've heard so many good things about it but, honestly, I'm not a huge fan. I've heard that you overexpose this film, and you can get a really great "light and airy" look for weddings and such, but that's just not my thing. Seems like a good all around film for most uses.
ROLL 2 - KODAK EKTAR IN THE QL-17 - SHOT AT BOX SPEED
I love this film! It's contrasty, colors are more saturated, just more my style. Wish it came in more speeds other than just 100. I've heard Ektar "really likes light," and it does, however I got some good shots indoors as well.
ROLL 3 - FUJI PRO 400H IN AE-1 - OVEREXPOSED BY 2 STOPS
I definitely like the look of Pro 400H overexposed. That's the only way I'm going to be able to tolerate it. But again definitely a good all around film. I especially like the way it brought out the red in the hanbok (traditional korean clothing).
ROLL 4 - FUJI PRO 400H IN THE AE-1 - UNDEREXPOSED BY 1 STOP
Full disclaimer: I meant to push this film at development. But after I was done with the roll I popped it out and put it in the bag... with the other rolls of 400H! I immediately realized this but couldn't identify which was which! Note to self: label rolls that you plan to push before you put them in the camera. Most of the photos were surprisingly usable!
Also, Seoul has one of the biggest fish markets in the world! They sell everything there! There is a tradition of eating a live baby octopus. I didn't do it. However, I did see a video of it on youtube. I think the pic of the one below is for sure not a baby octopus. But hey, I'm no octopus expert.
ROLL 5 - KODAK EKTAR IN THE QL-17 - SHOT AT BOX SPEED
Still digging the Ektar. Not much else to say. This is good stuff.
ROLL 6 - KODAK EKTAR IN THE QL-17 - PUSHED 1 STOP
So if you like film, have thought about trying something new, just do it. It'll push you to work a little harder, but it's very rewarding. I don't know if the next trip will be all film again, or if I'll take the xpro-2 and try to replicate the same look with film simulations... I just haven't decided yet. Hope you enjoyed these photo comparisons of different films in different cameras.