What's a good ISO for 120 color film in a Holga?

Question

Just for normal conditions in a Holga 120CFN.

Answer 1

When you say "good ISO" it indicates that you aren't sure what the ISO is for, or what the different film's are for...

ISO refers to the light sensitivity. ISO 100 is relatively slow, and requires two times as much light as ISO 200, but ISO 100 has tighter, smaller grains for immensely finer detail when you enlarge to poster size; ISO 200 requires twice twice as much light as ISO 200 but ISO 200 is really great for portraits or images that require some degree of speed of shutter speed for comfort and they also yield image detail that is very good at 20" x 24" enlargements and are moderately acceptable at poster size, depending at the viewing distance of those looking at the image. ISO 400 is a moderately fast ISO film that is two times faster than ISO 200 but is two times slower than the ISO 800; it is particularly good for outdoor sporting events and the images are fine and quite good insofar as image quality detail in enlargements up to about 11" x 14" or so. ISO 800 is really considered "fast" film and is good for those low-light situations where details are not of paramount importance, as getting the action is. These images are particularly good up to about 6" x 10" and may even be "so-so" at 8" x 10" depending on the lab's work on color renditions (or the tech's experience and abilities).

Now, what exactly are you going to shoot, and are you going to use artificial lighting? Backyard photos at a picnic? Use ISO 400. A parade? Use ISO 400. Family photos with artificial lighting (and possibly enlarging one or two)? Use ISO 200. Glamor or Portraits? Use ISO 100, a tripod (so you won't get tired of holding the camera and re-positioning the subject in the viewfinder every time you look away from the viewfinder), and artificial lights? ISO 100.

Today's emulsions are so much better than those of yesteryears! Far better and longer lasting and far superior detail and less "graininess" even in ISO 400, ISO 800 and even in ISO 1600 than years ago. It still conveys better depth of IMAGE print than digital technology can yield, has far greater dynamic range!

I hope that helps you. Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 2

Before you consider your ISO you have to consider what you are going to photograph. If you like action or you prefer shooting at night, but dont want to worry so much about a tripod or holding still like a redwood tree, then go with a higher ISO number perhaps 800 ISO. The larger the ISO as you know the quicker it reacts to light. The drawbacks to larger ISOs like 800 or say 1600 for that matter is that you run into issues of grain. The photos that you print,especially if you enlarge them will have a salt and pepper kind of grain to it. On the other hand lower ISO films such as 50 and 100iso film provides small grain, and smoothe tonality. The drawback is that the film is slower to react to light which means that it is typically better suited to still life shots, landscapes etc. This is not to say that you cannot use 50 or 100iso film at night, it is just that you have to do really long exposures.
So my suggestion, choose something around 400iso. It provides the most versatility for various lighting conditions and subjects.

Answer 3

Refers to the films sensitivy to light. If you shooting out side in shadows or using flash inside you should be fine.
ISO 100 film requires twice as much light at ISO 200 and ISO 400 requires half as much.
Now theres lots of other factors, like F stop and exposure time but that covers the basics
good luck

Answer 4

i've got in no way heard of 120mm movie. one hundred ISO, one hundred twenty medium format roll movie will artwork on your Holga yet you will would desire to apply a flash or have particularly bright sunshine. The producer oftentimes recommends which you employ 4 hundred ISO movie.

Answer 5

It depends on what you are trying to shoot, not on the camera format you are using. Buy the cheapest three rolls of 100, 200 and 400 you can find and shoot some test frames.