1.
I'm a cheapskate. I shoot frame 00.
It was way back in 2009, but I still vividly remember the day when I bought my Nikon FA, I was so excited. As I'm the type of person that does a lot of research before buying something, I already know all the operations of the camera prior to receiving it. So, immediately I popped my 50mm f/1.8 on my new camera and tested the basic operations.
2.
Coconut trees. Pardon me for the lossy compression.
3.
Fuel prices were skyrocketing in 2009.
Then, it was time to load the film.
4.
天堂鳥，Bird of Paradise.
(Busy bokeh from 50mm f/1.8.)
(Busy bokeh from 50mm f/1.8.)
What film would you choose for your first try in film photography?
Sensible people would choose an inexpensive colour negative film as their virgin roll, due to negative film's generously wide exposure latitude (or "forgiveness", if you prefer) and relatively cheap developing costs compared to slide films.
Sensible people would choose an inexpensive colour negative film as their virgin roll, due to negative film's generously wide exposure latitude (or "forgiveness", if you prefer) and relatively cheap developing costs compared to slide films.
5.
Rich colours from Velvia.
But I'm not a sensible person.
6.
For my first ever roll of film, I used Fujifilm Velvia 50. Yes, you read that correctly. An expensive, slow, demanding and very unforgiving slide film for my first try in film photography in a 30 years old camera that I just bought from a stranger. I must be mad.
7.
Penang.
In fact, I didn't know that E-6 processing is SO expensive until I finished shooting the whole roll and went to develop it- it really cost me dearly. I seldom shoot slide film after that, partly due to the price & also the inconvenience- the only photolab that develops slide film is located at a very busy area in the city centre- and I'm sure that I'll get lost before even reaching there. However, when viewed under a light table, slide films give incredibly rich colours and tonality that no print film could ever match.
8.
Looks like a person who'd fallen over.
So here is it. My first ever roll of film.
9.
My personal favourite: Sunset at Bangsar.
Thanks for reading.
Film | My First Roll of Film
Nikon FA, Fujifilm Velvia 50
Nikon FA, Fujifilm Velvia 50
