12 Amazing Film Stocks and How to Test Their Latitude

Your negatives are your road map to understanding the relationship between your exposures and your scans. Let’s explore these 12 film stocks!

Exposure Reference Sheets are included with every roll of Signature Process + Scan. They provide a thumbnail of each frame, allowing you to clearly and easily see how you exposed your film, and they clue you in on any camera or film issues. Think of them like a digital contact sheet!

How to Read Your Exposure Reference Sheets

First, download our Exposure Reference Sheet Guide (currently available for Portra400). Open it up alongside one of your Exposure Reference Sheets.

Now, look at the density of each frame in your Exposure Reference Sheet and compare it to the guide. Try to find which frame (-1, Box Speed, +1, etc.) it matches best. This is your general exposure.

Next, look at the consistency of your exposures from frame-to-frame. Do all the frames appear to be the same relative density, as they do in the 120 and 35mm above? If so, great! This means your exposures are consistent—and consistent exposures help you receive consistent scans!

To help you further understand your exposures, refer to the exposure data, if your medium format camera imprints it.

Film Stock References

These exposure guides are here to help you familiarize yourself with some of the unique characteristics and exposure latitude of different film stocks! Think of them as your roadmap to discovering how each film stock reacts to light. Learning how certain film stocks “tick,” and how they handle color and light can really help you dial in the perfect exposure every time.

Whether you’re diving into a new film stock or just brushing up on one you’ve already shot with, these guides are your go-to resource. They’ll help you fine-tune your settings and make sure you’re getting the most out of every frame, no matter what you’re shooting.

To take a closer look, just click on each guide to enlarge it. Once it’s open, you can download it easily by right-clicking (on desktop) or long-pressing (on a touchscreen). These handy little references are perfect for keeping by your side while you experiment with new film stocks or analyze your exposures like a pro!