The camera takes "35mm" film... that's the width of the strip of film from edge to edge but includes the area where the holes are punched (so the sprockets in the camera can advance the film). The actual area where the camera projects the image onto the film is only 24mm high (and 36mm wide).
You'll find you have loads of film choices among various types of color film vs. various types of B&W and we'd use them for different reasons.
For example, the everyday film I'd use was basic Kodacolor Gold film. Back in the day I used to shoot weddings using something called Kodak VPS (VPS = Vericolor Professional type S) because the color tones were gently subdued... you might even say just a touch to the pastel side (without looking like pastel). But I appreciated that this subdued color conveyed a sense of softness and beauty... vs. color film that's a bit more edgy -- with jammy "in your face" saturated color. They no longer make VPS film... but today I think Kodak claims that their "Portra" has similar gentle color tone qualities.
It's getting harder to find labs to process the film. I've been into shops that tell me they used to turn-around film in an hour... but as digital took over, it wasn't worthwhile to keep the equipment and staff there all day for the occasional person who would wander in. So they often only process on certain days.
My formula used to be that it would cost an average of $15 per 12 exposures by the time you factor in the cost to buy the film, process, and print the film. That adds up since it costs practically nothing to do it with digital.
Tim Campbell
5D III, 5D IV, 60Da
