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.
Choose Your Camera & Film
Pick a camera that fits your style and a film stock for your first roll.
Camera Guide
41 cameras reviewed
Film Stock Guide
57 films with characteristics
Format Comparison
35mm vs medium format
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
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
Develop Your Film
Process your negatives at home or find a lab — both are valid paths.
B&W Development Guide
Step-by-step for beginners
Development Times
Time/temp database
Developer Guide
23 developers compared
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
Scan & Share
Digitize your negatives to share online or make prints.
Scanner Guide
8 scanners reviewed
DPI Calculator
Resolution for print sizes
DSLR Scanning Guide
Camera as scanner
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.