Film Photography Resources
A curated collection of the best external resources for analog photographers.
The links below are resources we actually use and recommend. They complement the metergeist film guide and TLR camera guide with primary sources, community knowledge, and practical tools.
Manufacturer Data Sheets
Primary sources straight from the people who make the film. Technical data sheets contain official reciprocity data, spectral sensitivity curves, development recommendations, and storage guidelines. These are the authoritative references our reciprocity calculator exponents are sourced from.
Ilford Photo Technical Data Sheets
Complete technical documentation for every Ilford film and paper product. Includes detailed reciprocity failure data, recommended developers and times, spectral sensitivity curves, and resolving power measurements. Essential reading for anyone shooting HP5 Plus, FP4 Plus, Pan F Plus, or Delta 3200.
Kodak Technical Publications
Kodak publishes detailed technical data for all professional films including Portra 400, Tri-X 400, Ektar 100, T-Max 100, and Ektachrome E100. Their publications include characteristic curves, reciprocity data, filter factors, and processing specifications. Publication E-4052 (Ektachrome) and F-4016 (Portra) are particularly thorough.
Fujifilm Professional Film Pages (I Shoot Fujifilm)
Product pages for Fujifilm's remaining professional films: Velvia 50, Provia 100F, and Neopan Acros II. Fujifilm's film product information has migrated from fujifilm.com to ishootfujifilm.com. As Fujifilm's film lineup has contracted, these pages are increasingly important as the last official documentation for remaining stocks.
Film Databases
Comprehensive databases that catalog film stocks past and present, including discontinued emulsions, format availability, and community reviews.
The Darkroom Film Index
An extensive catalog of currently available film stocks with sample images, brief descriptions, and direct links for purchasing. Useful for discovering new films beyond the 22 stocks in our guide and for seeing real-world sample images shot by other photographers.
EMULSIVE Film Reviews
One of the largest collections of community-submitted film reviews on the internet. EMULSIVE hosts hundreds of in-depth reviews written by working photographers, covering everything from mainstream stocks to obscure and discontinued emulsions. A valuable source of real-world shooting experience.
Filmtypes.com
A clean, well-organized database of film stocks with filterable categories (B&W, color negative, slide, instant). Each entry includes basic specifications, sample images, and purchasing links. Good for quick comparisons when evaluating which film to try next.
Development Resources
Essential references for anyone developing film at home or choosing a lab.
Massive Dev Chart
The definitive development time database for B&W film. Covers virtually every combination of film stock and developer with times, temperatures, and dilutions. Indispensable for home development. If you are developing HP5 Plus in Rodinal or Tri-X in D-76, start here. Also available as a mobile app.
Ilford — Developing Your First B&W Film
Ilford's official step-by-step guide to developing black and white film at home. Written clearly for beginners, with detailed instructions on equipment, chemistry, temperature control, agitation, and drying. The best free introduction to home film development available.
Kodak Processing Information
Official Kodak processing specifications for C-41 (color negative), E-6 (slide film), and ECN-2 (motion picture film). Useful reference for understanding what your lab is doing with your film, and essential if you are considering processing color film at home.
Price Tracking
Film prices have changed significantly in recent years. These resources help you find the best deals and track pricing trends.
Analog.Cafe Film Price Trends
Tracks historical pricing data for popular film stocks across major retailers. Useful for understanding whether a price you are seeing is a good deal, how prices have changed over time, and which stocks offer the best value. Updated regularly with data from B&H, Adorama, and other major retailers.
Major Film Retailers
The most reliable sources for purchasing fresh film stock: B&H Photo, Adorama, Freestyle Photo, and Analogue Wonderland (UK/EU). For budget options, check Fomapan 100 ($5–7/roll) and Kodak ColorPlus 200 ($7–10/roll).
Review & Community Sites
Active communities and editorial sites that publish film reviews, tutorials, and inspiration.
Shoot It With Film
A community-driven site featuring film reviews, camera guides, and tutorials written by working film photographers. Their film reviews include extensive sample galleries that show how each stock renders in real-world conditions. Particularly strong coverage of medium format and portrait work.
35mmc
One of the largest analog photography blogs, publishing multiple articles daily from community contributors. Deep coverage of cameras, film stocks, and techniques. The site's camera reviews and film comparisons are thorough and opinionated. A good source for discovering the practical differences between similar films like HP5 Plus vs. Tri-X.
Analogue Wonderland — The Darkroom Blog
UK-based film retailer with an excellent editorial blog. Their film reviews and beginner guides are well-written and practical. Particularly useful for European photographers looking for stock availability and pricing in their market.
r/AnalogCommunity (Reddit)
The largest online forum for analog photography discussion. Active daily threads on film stocks, camera recommendations, development questions, and lab reviews. Useful for getting quick answers to specific questions, but verify technical claims against manufacturer data sheets.
Film Labs
Choosing the right lab matters as much as choosing the right film. Development quality, scanning resolution, and color correction all affect your final images.
Richard Photo Lab
One of the most respected professional film labs in the United States. Known for exceptional color correction and high-resolution scanning. Popular with wedding and portrait photographers shooting Portra 400 and Portra 160. Their blog includes useful guides on film selection and exposure technique.
The Darkroom
A popular mail-order lab offering C-41, E-6, and B&W processing with quick turnaround and competitive pricing. Good option for hobbyists and casual shooters. Their film index and blog are also valuable resources for film selection.
The Slanted Lens
Photography education site with video tutorials covering film photography technique, lighting, and camera operation. Their lab comparison guides and film testing videos provide practical insight into how different films and processing methods affect your results.
Video Resources
YouTube channels dedicated to analog photography technique, film reviews, and camera guides.
Grainydays
Honest, no-nonsense film photography videos. Known for practical film comparisons, real-world camera reviews, and candid discussion of the costs and tradeoffs of shooting film. Their side-by-side film comparisons are among the best on YouTube for understanding the visual differences between stocks.
Negative Feedback
In-depth technical videos on film photography, development, and scanning. Covers topics like push processing, developer comparisons, and scanning technique with scientific rigor. Excellent resource for photographers who want to understand the technical details behind their results.
Kyle McDougall
Thoughtful videos about film photography, medium format cameras, and the creative process. Focuses on landscape and nature work, often shooting Velvia 50 and Ektar 100 in medium and large format. A calming, contemplative approach to analog photography.
Our Guides
Guides, tutorials, and tools published on metergeist.com.
Film Guide — 22 Film Stock Profiles
Detailed profiles for all 22 film stocks supported by TLR Companion: specifications, reciprocity calculators, push/pull tables, grain and tonal character, pricing, and development notes. Each profile is sourced from manufacturer data sheets.
Reciprocity Failure Calculator
Interactive calculator for correcting long exposure times across all 22 film stocks. Select your film, enter the metered time, and get the corrected exposure instantly. Includes a common corrections table and explanation of the formula.
Film Comparison Tool
Compare up to 3 film stocks side by side across ISO, grain, latitude, color character, reciprocity exponent, available formats, and pricing. Useful for narrowing down which film to try next.
TLR Camera Guide — 48 Twin-Lens Reflex Cameras
Comprehensive guide to 48 twin-lens reflex cameras with specifications, history, and compatibility notes. From the legendary Rolleiflex 2.8F to the accessible Yashica Mat-124G.
How to Meter Without a Built-In Meter
A practical guide to metering light when your camera does not have a built-in light meter. Covers incident metering, reflected metering, the sunny 16 rule, and using a smartphone as a light meter. Essential reading for TLR and classic camera owners.
The Discipline of Twelve Frames
An essay on the meditative practice of shooting a 12-frame roll of 120 film. How the constraint of limited frames improves your photography and deepens your engagement with each shot. Particularly relevant for slide film shooters where every frame carries real cost.
All of this in one free app
metergeist combines a light meter, reciprocity calculator, film profiles, and frame counter in one app. Built-in support for all 22 film stocks in this guide, plus camera-specific constraints for 48 TLR cameras. Free on the App Store.