Right film for Rebel 2000

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Hello I recently bought the Rebel 2000. I loaded an ISO 200 film and used the camera in auto-focus (green) mode to shoot films in bright daylight. However i found faces to have shadow in all photos and background to be very bright (the roads seem white!). under a tree, the faces can't even be seen. i would be grateful if someone could tell me why this happens. is it that the film speed is high. being a beginner, i havent checked out manual mode yet, but was disappointed to see the auto mode to give such pictures. thanks so much.

-- Cruise (cruise125@hotmail.com), May 23, 2001

Answers

Hi Cruise,

Firstly: if people are sitting in shade under a tree when it's bright daylight and the background is brighter than the people, you should use the flash (it's called "fill flash" when used this way).

Secondly: the print processing quality you were provided on this roll seems to have a problem with the developing (over exposure). As you shoot more rolls of film and go to different print houses, you will find a variation of brightness and darkness in photos that are out of your control. This is known as print processing variation. You can experiment by taking a set of negatives, choose one of your favorites and have it re-printed in 4x6 size at a few different places. Compare the prints to each other and you'll not only notice a different brightness/darkness range between the photos, but also a color variation as well. Some may come out blue-ish, some a little greenish, sometimes a little magenta. It's a bummer, but we have all experienced poor print processing results. Don't let this get you down. The good thing is that you're here trying to learn more about what went wrong. The bad thing is, you'll have to look for a reliable and highly repeatable print processor which could take some time to find. Some of the better ones I deal with are more pricey, but I know what results I'll get when I go to them and if it's not quite right, they work with me to get it the way I like it.

Thirdly: the film speed is not an issue with your camera. ISO 200 is a very commonly used film speed for 35mm cameras. 100, 200, 400 are very common for 35mm cameras. That's why you'll see these film speeds sold everywhere. There is a book on film called, "The FILM Book" which gets into great detail about emulsions, etc, but it's probably not the level of detail you're looking for. I suggest the book mentioned in my next point.

Fourthly: You're on the right track with asking questions. I suggest you get the book from Kodak called "How to Take Good Pictures". It's a good beginner's book to learning about exposure and composition to improve photographic results. One of my first books.

Good luck!

Sue

-- Sue Butler (sue@butler22.com), May 23, 2001.


I have one thing to add to Sue's recommendation for the use of fill flash to lighten shadowed faces. The Rebel 2000 has a rather slow maximum flash sync speed of 1/90 sec (unless you have a Canon EX series Speedlite). So, in bright daylight, use 100 ISO film. Fill flash will be easier with it. Instead of flash you can use a large white reflector to bounce more natural light back into the peoples faces.

You can also use your partial meter (the * button) in P mode instead of the green box mode. Just put the center of the viewfinder on the subject & press the * button. That will ballance your exposure for your subjects instead of eveerything behind them. Of course everything behind them will be even more overly bright.

The other thing to know is most consumer films (Kodak Gold, Fuji Superia, etc.) have very high contrast. That will make shots like this even harder. You might want to try a professional print film like Kodak Portra, Kodak Supra, Fuji NPS or NPH. They have a bit less contrast and more accurate colors with better skin tones as well. Just a thought.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), May 23, 2001.


I have used 200 film with my Rebel 2000 recently and have had great success with indoor and out photos using the auto mode and the others also. Just take your time and I would suggest getting a few books to learn technic such as: Michael Langford's "35mm Handbook", and also Magic Lanterns "Canon EOS Rebel 2000 Guide". Good Luck

-- Donny nj (onemanband52@yahoo.com), May 24, 2001.

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