Loading Film Into Your Camera

Before loading film into a camera, make sure that it meets the specifications of your camera model. Use a high quality film that produces good results, unless you are simply practicing and have no need to keep the pictures afterward.

There are various types of films on the market from which to choose. Historically, the most popular brands are Fuji and Kodak. You can also purchase film that is either black and white or color. And different types of film are designed to record images snapped at higher and lower shutter speeds. The higher the ISO number on the film, the faster the speed it handles.

A 100 ISO film, for example, is normally used for taking outdoor pictures. If used indoors, the outcome of picture will be darker and probably of poor quality. If a 100 ISO film is used to take pictures of moving subjects, the picture will look shaky.

An ISO 400 film, on the other hand, is suitable almost anywhere, whether indoors, outdoors, or for moving targets.

Lock and Load

Set the ISO on the camera according to the speed of the film. The ISO can be adjusted by using the speed dial. On most cameras, this dial is located on the left top of the camera, but it is not always there.

After this you should pull out the film tab from film casing approximately three inches. Using the release button, open the back of camera. As with the ISO setting, some camera position the release button on the left, and others on the opposite site. (You should take the time to become very familiar with the individual parts of your camera as displayed in its user booklet.)

Next, position the film inside the left portion of the camera such that the film's flat surface is facing toward you. Then pull the film from its canister until it reaches the spool on the right inner side of the camera. Insert the film tab into the spool. Manually wind it counter-clockwise, the direction that wraps the film around the spool.

For an automatic camera, spooling is much easier. Once the film is properly positioned inside the camera, all you are required to do is shut the back of camera. This automatically spools the film.

When you are finished loading, adjust the film - if necessary at all - until the counter that sits on the top of the camera shows the number one.

Ready to Shoot

At this point, you are ready to begin taking those amazing pictures. After each shot, though, manual cameras require you to move the film to next position.

Regardless of whether you have an automatic or manual camera, you should ensure the film is advanced to the next number after each shot and before shooting another picture. If the film does not advance, you could ruin a great previously-taken picture by snapping a second exposure on top of the first.

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