Professional & Amateur Film

As an amateur, you may not be concerned with choosing the perfect film and may be more interested in perfecting your shot. However, using professional film will take you as a hobbyist to new levels and allow you to concentrate more on your technique without worrying about film quality.

When it comes to the use of professional films, there are a few manufacturers that stand out ahead of the crowd. This is due partially to brand awareness but also because the quality is exceptional and well received by professional photographers. As the top two film makers recognized in all areas of film development, it is no surprise that Kodak and Fuji lead the pack. What is different about Kodak professional film as opposed to general use film?

First of all, not all professional film formats are in the 35mm genre. Many professional films are in the form of sheet film, made for medium and large format cameras and often at least double the size of 35mm film. With medium format professional film, you have several advantages, probably the most important of which is increased resolution. If you take a 35mm negative and blow it up to a standard 4x6 inch print, you will find that the image is usually of good quality, and with professional 35mm film, which usually incorporates a different perforation along the edges to allow increased development space, you’ll find even higher quality. Now, imagine medium format film, the smallest of which is about twice the size of a 35mm negative. To achieve the same 4x6 inch print, you only have to increase the size by half as much, meaning even less chance of pixellation, fuzziness, or other clarity issues.

Kodak manufactures both kinds of professional film, which offers all sorts of photographers, whether professional or amateur, the opportunity to increase print quality. Fuji, Kodak’s top competitor among film manufacturers for decades, also has a line of well received professional quality film. In fact, many aspiring amateurs opt to purchase wholesale Fuji professional film because they can get it at a discounted rate. Fuji medium and large format products are used by professionals all the time as well, since Fuji has proven itself to be equal in quality to the Kodak name brand.

Of course, there are other major manufacturers of professional grade film, but as an amateur who is simply testing the difference; you’ll clearly be able to compare standard and professional film from these companies which are leading producers of both types.