How do I use Film Indoors?

There are a number of complications when using film indoors -- indoor ISO, the way that lighting alters color on color film stocks, and flash use. This video provides a general overview of how to use film indoors and provides some tips on different film speeds for different indoor situations.

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[steveg]

You touched a subject that dismayed many of us back in film's heyday. Covered all bases in less than 9 minutes. Never cease to amaze. As for me, flash rules indoors, your shots prove this, not just for color but monochrome as well.Ambient light shooters were and may yet be a sub - culture of their own, nothing you can't indulge in when the mood arises.Again, great job, David.

[growingupwatchingads]

Make it till the end of comment section. My take on sunny16 rules for daylight indoor is to shoot 400 speed film, wide enough, at hand holding rate should be close to achieve the “preferred” exposure. Thanks david, what a time to be alive since this video was made 5 years ago 🎉🎉🎉

[VariTimo]

Im pretty happy with my M5 and f2 lens. I mention the camera because I can comfortably shoot up to a 30th of a second shooter speed handheld, wich I couldn’t do with my Nikon DSLR because of the mirror slag. The mirror itself introduces so much movement that the image get blurry when I don’t use it on a tripod at such low shutter speeds. For me 400 is perfect for indoor and outdoor photography. But I have to say that I like to underexpose my shots. If you are looking for a good higher ISO color negativ film your pretty much left with Portra 800. It has a rather fine grain for such a high ISO and can be shoot a 1600 fine without hurting the image too much, if you have enough light. And you can still push it one stop if you have to. Be aware that you get a fairly different look then. If you need a 1600 color negative film. You can still get some Fuji Natura 1600 which is great (although it only reaches 1000 in artificial light). But it’s been discounted so I suggest getting a few rolls for some special low light occasions. Kodak TMax p3200 and Ilford Delta 3200 are both not real 3200 ISO films they are both rated at around 1000 ISO. But you can push both to 3200 no problem. It just gets really grainy at least with the delta. I didn’t have the chance to shoot TMax p3200 since it’s just been reintroduced to the marked.

[BDX]

Kentmere 400. Surprisingly the best film I’ve ever used for pushing. Good results at ISO 6400 in Xtol stock for 21 mins.

[rwl]

David writes a script. Got to like that! Too, too many don't. Applause!

[jan.tichavsky]

I shot one roll of Fujifilm Venus 800 (like better Superia, Japanese market only), it came out better than expected, no grain to see on 10x15cm prints, nice colors and exposure. Chose it for indoors and dark outsides, used it ina museum where ou can't use flash, worked nicely.

[HannahGimblett]

Really informative video; thanks David! :)

[markharris]

It’s amazing the amount of knowledge and understanding you have in your head, I must admit it’s very rare I shoot indoors with film. When I do I tend to use HP5+, a wide lens and a light meter, and I rarely shoot anything with a low ISO indoors even with a flash. I tend to use FLD filters when under fluorescent lighting, am I using the wrong one?

[robertknight]

I have a picture of my uncle and my cousin from the 90s that has both an incandescent light fixture Andy fluorescent light fixture in the frame. Both lights were on and you can see the green cast from the fluorescent light. The incandescent light looks acceptable. I'm pretty sure that picture was taken with a point-and-shoot camera.

[theproject]

here's a question for a future video: How do you apply sunny 16 rules INDOORS. Over time i developed my own techniques but i have never seen an article or video that explains an approach to calculating correct exposure indoors with just your eye

[michaelb]

Great information...I only have one thing to nitpick. Traditionally, fluorescent lights had a green cast. Unfortunately, today's fluorescents are all over the color temperature map. The only good news is that more and more of them are either daylight balanced or lean toward the tungsten end of the spectrum...that sickly green is a thing of the past.

[ZommBleed]

Now you only need to do, "How do I make youtube videos indoors with one overhead bright light source." Ha ha. BTW, good video. I always look forward to your new releases.

[monsieurgolem]

What would you say is the ideal set up with flash? I have the Nikon SB24. Can I shoot F11 with flash?

[gregpantelides]

Hey David, thanks for this informative video! I'm looking to shoot daylight balanced film indoors and am between the 80A(2 stop correction) and the 80C (1 stop correction). Do you think the 80C could get me close enough?

[yocampos]

Hi David, I shot inside a parking garage and thought I was safe using FujiFilm 400 and had it on F.4 for body shots. All of my pics came out dark and blurry ( first time this happens to me). Should I purchase an external flash? If so, what do you reco for a Canon AE1? Thank you!

[samni]

Hi! I’ve got a Kodak box brownie and usually use 120, but I’d really like to try taking some indoor photos, what film would you suggest for windowless rooms?

[GTXTi-dbxu]

So essentially, indoors it's best to use f/2.8 and shutter speed of 1/60th? It's funny because the first photo I ever took on film I unintentionally used this setting and it came out amazing.

[Flo-rrbb]

what iso would you pick for a gym at night(no daylight) but the downlighting in the gym is pretty strong an bright

[jacobsteinberg]

Hi David. What type of lens aperture would you recommend for indoor shooting? And if my fastest lens is an f4, should I invest in a faster lens or could I get away with it somehow? Thanks.

[guiiBRsldsnake]

David, could you please answer my question?

I want to get a flash for my Nikon FE2, and I want to use it in the streets, but i cannot figure out what to buy, considering I want to use it off camera (hand holding the flash).
Is there any specific flashes that can do that or any flash can be off camera? Do I need a cable to sync? I swear I can't understand how to do it.