film advice

[wiggwigg2010]

so my mum who used to study art has just given me her contax rts II. I really want to start using it but i don't have any knowledge about this kind of stuff and she has forgotten too.

So the question is what's the best type of film, the best film for a low price and are there different sizes of film.

Thank you

[StephenBatey]

Different sizes? Yes; 35mm, 120, 620, 127, 5"x4", 5"x7", 10x8, 20"x16" and 20"x8". Plus a few other odd sizes. The camera you mention is 35mm, so that's the size you want.

Next, what do you want to do with the results, and colour ot black and white?

The simplest option is colour negative film, which you can easily get processed; it's also the easiest to scan. The choice then is vivid or natural colours...

Honestly, if you don't know very much about it, get any colour negative film and go with that.

The best type of film depends very much on what you want to do with the results, how fast you want them, and so on. It is possible (if you're geared up for it) to start with an exposed 35mm film and have a dry print in 4 minutes. And I don't intend to answer questions on how - you'll just have to disbelieve me.

Personally, most ofl my photography is done using Ilford FP4 in 5x4; I do use Fuji colour negative in 120 size in my point and shoot Mamiya RZ67.