Astrocam 110 Film Types

[SatelliteInterceptor]

I have an Astrocam rocket. The instructions say to only use "Kodak" film. I saw other makers that have 110 film for sale. Solaris and Fuji, for example. Fuji stopped making 110 film, but I think Solaris still does, but only in 200 speed (not the 400 speed that Estes recommends for the Astrocam rocket). My 2 questions are:

1.) Can I use film in the Astrocam that is NOT 400 speed film ???

2.) Can I use other brands of film such as Solaris, in the Astrocam ???


Thank you.

[CPMcGraw]

I have an Astrocam rocket. The instructions say to only use "Kodak" film. I saw other makers that have 110 film for sale. Solaris and Fuji, for example. Fuji stopped making 110 film, but I think Solaris still does, but only in 200 speed (not the 400 speed that Estes recommends for the Astrocam rocket). My 2 questions are:

1.) Can I use film in the Astrocam that is NOT 400 speed film ???

2.) Can I use other brands of film such as Solaris, in the Astrocam ???


Thank you.

Cartridge-for-cartridge (and speed-for-speed), they all mechanically must work the same in order to work at all. I think the real issue is to use the film that you think gives the better images. If the only film you can get is from Kodak, then you use Kodak. The speed number is matched to the speed of the camera shutter. Lower numbers require the shutter to remain open longer, in order to provide enough light to fully create the image. Faster numbers allow you to use faster shutters. For the AstroCam, a 200-speed film will not get enough light onto the film for a long enough exposure during the shutter-open time. The image will be weak and dark. The faster the film, the better the image will be, especially if you use the camera in low-light conditions (like late evening, or very early morning flights; or possibly on overcast days with heavy cloud cover).

If you have to go to another film speed, you would do better going to a 600 or possibly even an 800 rather than a 200.

No, I'm not a camera expert. I just pretend to be online...:D , and I have slept in a Holiday Inn before...

Go here for some additional online information: LINK (http://www.photonhead.com/beginners/filmspeed.php)

[snaquin]

I have an Astrocam rocket. The instructions say to only use "Kodak" film. I saw other makers that have 110 film for sale. Solaris and Fuji, for example. Fuji stopped making 110 film, but I think Solaris still does, but only in 200 speed (not the 400 speed that Estes recommends for the Astrocam rocket). My 2 questions are:

1.) Can I use film in the Astrocam that is NOT 400 speed film ???

2.) Can I use other brands of film such as Solaris, in the Astrocam ???


Thank you.

The first Astrocam that I had came with the Delta II in the early 80's used 400 speed film. A later model I bought years later for my son {mid to late 90's?} used 200 speed film. I think the most recent version is now recommending 400 speed film again. I'm not sure the Astrocam that recommends the 400 speed film will give good results with 200 speed film because Estes redesigned the shutter release.

You may not find it in you local stores but online you can find Kodak Gold 400 speed. B&H has it for $2.99 per box. I have personally used this online vendor and purchased a nice OOP zoom lens for my Minolta 35mm camera just prior to Christmas. Very good service.

http://tinyurl.com/2fmbqm

You can try the 200 speed film. Worse that can happen is you may have slightly blurred pictures.

.

[ghrocketman]

I know for a fact that the original Astrocam will not work with ASA200 110 film; the pictures will be blurred garbage.
The original ONLY works with 400 film.
If you have the original Astrocam (with the camera you actually had to BUILD) don't waste your time with 200 if that is all that is available locally; order a few cartridges of 400 online.
Even with 400 speed it is a real challenge to get a decent picture with that thing.

[SatelliteInterceptor]

Thanks everyone. I read the 3 postings and I ordered 2 rolls of Kodak 110 film (400 speed) (24 exposure) (the same film that the Astrocam came with). I have a 2005 Astrocam rocket. I brought the first roll of film to a local C.V.S. store and the woman that was their "Photo Specialist", looked at the film cartridge and said that she's never even heard of 110 film. Some specialist, right ? I left C.V.S. and drove to another town that had a very reputable photo store. The owner of the store was very helpful. I told him that the woman in the C.V.S. had never heard of 110 film. All he had to say to that was, "That's sad". I laughed. He told me that he couldn't develop the film for me at his shop. He would have to send it out and that it would take 3 weeks for him to get it back. He did tell me that I could view the photo's in his store, on a viewer machine that he has. I said "no" to viewing, and "yes" to developing. I asked him if he sold 110 cartridge film. He said he stopped selling it years ago. I did some internet research on different companies that produce 110 cartridge film. I found out that a company called "Solaris" makes it, and that there images come out nicer than Kodak's 110 film. Is this true, and is Solaris' 110 film compatable with my 2005 Astrocam rocket ??? Thank you.

[Zeus-cat]

110 film will work in a 110 camera no matter who makes the film. Its like 240 grit sandpaper, some manufacturers will use better paper, glue or abrasive, but all 240 grit sandpaper will sand something to the same smoothness no matter who makes it.

I have never heard of Solaris, so I can't tell you if it is good or bad film. However, one thing I would do is select a reputable film manufacturer and try to get a 12 exposure cartridge. It will take you forever to shoot 12 exposures at one exposure per launch. 24 exposures will take 2 times forever. Or you could shoot as many exposures as you want and send the film off to be developed no matter how many pictures you actually took. You want quality film as it will take a long time for you to use all the film and the higher quality film will be stable longer (less likely for the film to go bad over time).

A friend at work just found the film from an old Astrocam and had it developed. It had sat around for 10 years and only half of it was used. He had it developed, but the photos didn't turn out very well as the film had been in his garage for whole time. The film had gone through ten hot summers and ten cold winters in the garage and that degraded the film.

If the Astrocam instructions tell you to use 400 speed film, then use that. If anything, I would do what CPMcGraw said, go higher, not lower for the film speed.

If you can't get 400 or higher film, you can try 200 speed, but only launch on very bright, sunny days to compensate. It still probably won't work as well as 400 would.

[dwmzmm]

If nothing else, just buy another Astrocam Starter Set and, presto, you'll have another roll
of the 110 film! That is, if you don't mind taking on another launch system to your collection.

[ddanhra69]

The answer is yes to your 2 questions. I currently am flying the Astrocam. I bought the film at Publix, 400 speed and all. I'm not sure if it was Kodak but it doesn't matter.

[MonsterRocket]

I recently bought an AstroCam just because I always wanted the kit when I was a kid. Haha!

In my opinion, the only reason they say to use Kodak film is because that's what it comes with, so they must have made some kind of deal with Kodak. If the kit had included Fuji film, it would say to use only Fuji.

As long as it's 400 speed 110 film, you'll be fine.

And don't forget - the developed photos are mirror images so to properly view them you have to stand in front of a mirror :rolleyes:

[dwmzmm]

I recently bought an AstroCam just because I always wanted the kit when I was a kid. Haha!

In my opinion, the only reason they say to use Kodak film is because that's what it comes with, so they must have made some kind of deal with Kodak. If the kit had included Fuji film, it would say to use only Fuji.

As long as it's 400 speed 110 film, you'll be fine.

And don't forget - the developed photos are mirror images so to properly view them you have to stand in front of a mirror :rolleyes:

When I put the 110 film in the envelope at Wal-Mart for developing, I write a note at the
bottom of the envelope ("Special Instructions") that the image was taken using a mirror
and to therefore reverse polarity. They can do that for you....