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There are two basic types of film. Film for prints and film for slides.
If you look on the side of the boxes, you will see numbers. They usually read 100, 200, 1000, sometimes they go as high as 3200. That’s the film speed, called “ASA”. Each number has a different use. The lower numbers (100,200) are lower film speeds. The film speeds will also roughly correspond to the time it will take to snap you picture (shutter speed). A lower ASA will take a longer shutter speed to snap the perfect exposure. Professionals like these film speeds because they will produce a crisper looking picture. So why not always use a low film speed? Well, in most cases you can. If you are outdoors, where there will be lots of light, low film speeds are ideal. If you are inside, they can also be ideal, as long your camera is on a tripod, and your subject does not move much. A low film speed indoors (or at night) could take as much as a 1/30 of a second or longer to get the right exposure. If your camera is not on a tripod, or if the subject is moving, you will get blurry pictures back. Higher film speeds, such as a 1000 speed, will take a shorter time for the picture to be taken. So why not always use a higher film speed? You can, but higher film speeds are 1) more expensive and 2) will leave the picture grainy. You will not as sharp of a picture. That could be bad if you are planning to enlarge your picture. Anything over a 5 x 7 print with 1000 speed film is not a good idea, because you will be enlarging the graininess of the film. Sports photographers often use film speeds of 1000 or higher because there are able to “stop” the action in not so ideal lighting conditions. If you plan to shoot at night, or in a dark room, with little light, a higher film speed might suit your needs better.
Just keep this in the back of your mind. The lower the number, the more light you will need. The higher the number, the less light you will need. That rule will get you well on your way to producing good pictures.
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