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Beginner's Guide

Getting Started with Film

Everything you need to shoot, develop, and scan your first rolls. Follow these four stages at your own pace — there's no rush.

1

Choose Your Camera & Film

Pick a camera that fits your style and a film stock for your first roll.

Tips

  • Start with a 35mm SLR — they're reliable, affordable, and easy to learn
  • For your first roll, try a forgiving film like Kodak ColorPlus 200 or Ilford HP5+
  • Don't worry about having the "best" gear — most cameras will serve you well
2

Understand Exposure

Learn the fundamentals of aperture, shutter speed, and film speed.

Tips

  • Most cameras have a built-in meter — trust it while learning
  • Negative film is forgiving — when in doubt, slightly overexpose
  • Keep notes on your first roll so you can learn from the results
3

Develop Your Film

Process your negatives at home or find a lab — both are valid paths.

Tips

  • Start with B&W if developing at home — it's simpler and more forgiving
  • Labs are convenient and produce great results — there's no shame in using them
  • HC-110 or Rodinal are easy first developers with long shelf life
4

Scan & Share

Digitize your negatives to share online or make prints.

Tips

  • Many labs include scans with development — a good starting point
  • Flatbed scanners like the Epson V600 are affordable and capable
  • DSLR scanning produces excellent results but has a learning curve

What's Next?

Once you've got the basics, here are paths to explore.