The image that inspired this blog post! Shot by long-time Film Photography Podcast listener August Kelm on Svema Blue Sensitive 35mm bw Film / Yashica FX-3 Super 2000 set to 1/8 of a second, an adapted Helios 44-2 lens at wide open (f/2), and a cheap $10 monopod!
What is Blue Sensitive film?
According to Print-Wiki – “A type of photographic film which is only sensitive to light in the blue portion of the visible spectrum (or, in other words, light having a wavelength between 450 and 500 nanometers) and in the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum. Also known as color blind film, blue-sensitive film—unlike orthochromatic and panchromatic films—can be used somewhat safely outside a darkroom, and is often used for photoimaging utilizing ultraviolet light.”
Svema’s Blue Sensitive comes to you on a snazzy lavender base with an ISO of 6. Svema Blue Sensitive has a creamy glow and pleasing results.
above: Michael Raso and filmmaker Gary Cohen / Image shot on the awesome Svema Blue Sensitive BW / Canon EOS Rebel Ti camera
This blue-sensitive black-and-white film needs to be shot in daylight or using a flash/strobe. Avoid using a yellow filter or shooting in tungsten (indoor) light.
How do I meter for iso 6? If you camera can’t be set to iso 6, you can set your meter iso to 25 open 2 f-stops. Other option is getting a hand-held meter or downloading a light meter app to your phone.
Available Blue Sensitive 35mm Negative Films at The FPP On-Line Store:
Svema Blue Sensitve BW – Available in 24 exposure rolls HERE or 100ft bulk rolls HERE.
Kodak Fine Grain 2366 bw – Available in 24 exposure rolls HERE or 100ft bulk rolls HERE.
Svema MZ-3 bw – Available in 24 exposure rolls HERE or 100ft bulk rolls HERE.
Kodak Fine Grain 5302 bw (expired) – Available in 24 exposure rolls HERE.
Kodak Kodalith bw (expired) – Available in 24 exposure rolls HERE.
Kodak High Contrast 5363 bw (iso 25) – Available in 24 exposure rolls HERE or 100 ft bulk roll HERE.