Photographing With 110 Camera Film
Back in the 1970s and 1980s, there was one compact camera used by many for its convenience and pocket-sized design: the 110. It utilized a 110 cartridge film created by Kodak in response to consumer demands wanting an easier way to load and unload their rolls. The result was one of the 20th century's most iconic image aesthetics now picked up by modern Lomography photographers.
What Is 110 Camera Film?
The 110 was a film format introduced by Kodak in 1972 that utilized a cartridge system that easily dropped into the camera without requiring the leader to attach to the take-up spool. The company made it in response to consumer feedback that loading and unloading the classic 35mm rolls was too complicated.
- It has a frame size of 13mm by 17mm and a single perforation hole on each frame. It has a paper backing printed with frame numbers that you can easily view through a small window at the rear of the cartridge.
- The 110 film was compatible with the company's pocket-sized 110 cameras, which featured a compact and slim-lined design with a built-in lens. Other brands later used it, as well as Lomography photography.
- A later 110 film that the company manufactured was ISO 400, packed into a cartridge that sensed at low speed, although you could modify the ISO by hand using a lever on the side of the cartridge.
What Are the Appeals of 110 Film?
In terms of image quality, the 110 film wasn't on par with 35mm film and it doesn't compare with modern digital camera capabilities. Images tended to be slightly blurry and noisy, but this is all part of the aesthetic that makes the film type and its associated cameras appealing today.
- One of the main appeals of 110 film is that it can recreate the feel of photographs in the 1970s and 1980s when families used this pocket camera for their vacation snaps.
- Without the need for bulky lenses, the 110 film camera is also highly transportable and convenient to use without requiring any technical know-how.
What Should You Consider When Buying 110 Film?
The type of film that's right for you depends largely on the shooting conditions, with an ISO 100 film well suited to bright sunny days.
- When shooting in lower light conditions, you may want to consider an ISO 400 or, for a happy medium, an ISO 200 does the job.
- You can also select between color and black-and-white film, with 110 available in both.
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