The Ultimate Guide to 110 Film
The Ultimate Guide to 110 Film: History, Technical Aspects, and Where to Develop
110 film is a beloved format among film photography enthusiasts for its compact size and nostalgic appeal. Whether you're new to shooting with a 110 film camera or looking for resources on where to develop 110 film, this guide will cover everything you need to know about this classic format.
The 110 format has a very special place in my heart as a photographer! My very first camera was a pocket camera that used 110 film. I got it for Christmas when I was 10 and you can image how great all of my photos were. I burned through my first 2 rolls of film in about 20 minutes and took great photos of everything from my transformers to our dog to the family car. We dropped my film off at the photo lab and a week later I had my prints. My pictures were awful, but the idea of being able to take an image and make it into something physical that could be shared really stuck and 30 years later, here I am, a photographer with such a large variety of cameras and films and formats available to me, but I always come back to my old 110 camera!
History of 110 Film
Introduced by Kodak in 1972, 110 film was designed as an easy-to-use alternative to larger film formats. Packaged in a 110 film cartridge, this format was popularized by pocket cameras that were convenient for casual photographers. The film became a favorite for family snapshots throughout the 1970s and 80s. Despite its decline in the 1990s due to the rise of digital photography, 110 film cameras have seen a resurgence as film photography gains popularity again. Lomography has been crucial in keep the 110 film format alive. They’ve invested in new film types as well as new 110 film cameras. 110 has seen a huge comeback since the pandemic and that is solely because of the work the amazing people at Lomography have been doing.
Technical Aspects of 110 Film
110 film is a cartridge-based film format that is 16mm wide, with each frame measuring 13x17mm. The film typically comes in ISO 100 or ISO 400 options, making it suitable for different lighting conditions. One of its unique aspects is the fully enclosed 110 film cartridge, which eliminates the need to manually load film onto spools, reducing the risk of exposure errors. Many 110 film cameras feature fixed focus, simple exposure settings, and automatic winding mechanisms, making them user-friendly. After using 110 for years and develop thousands of rolls of 110 film in our photo lab, I can tell you that 110 film needs a lot of light to produce a good image. Outside in the daylight is best but if you’re indoors, ALWAYS use the flash. The biggest issue we’ve seen with 110 film is underexposure. As a general rule, overexposing 110 is better than underexposing it.
Shooting 110 Film
Shooting with a 110 film camera is a fun and straightforward experience. Here are some tips to get the best results:
Choose the right film speed – ISO 100 is great for bright outdoor shots, while ISO 400 works better in low-light conditions. But even ISO 400 needs A LOT of light to produce a good image on film. Use your flash no matter what when indoors or in dark or poorly lit areas. It doesn’t hurt to even use it in brightly lit areas to make sure everything gets exposed.
Steady your shots – Due to the small negative size, sharpness can sometimes be an issue. There’s no image stabilization with 110 film cameras and the infinite focus and small format size will definitely cause a decrease in sharpness. Hold your camera steady and lean against a wall or tree or vehicle or anything to help you get the most stable and steady picture.
Experiment with different cameras – There are many vintage and modern 110 film cameras, such as the Kodak Pocket Instamatic series or Lomography's Lomomatic or Diana Baby.
Use proper lighting – Again, the lighting is so important! Many 110 film cameras have limited control over exposure, so shooting in well-lit environments will yield the best results.
Where You Can Buy 110 Film
Although 110 film is not as widely available as 35mm or medium format film, there are still several retailers that stock it. Some popular options include:
Online retailers – B&H Photo, Adorama, and Lomography’s official website often carry fresh 110 film cartridges.
Local camera stores – Some specialty film shops may stock 110 film or be able to order it for you.
Auction sites and marketplaces – eBay, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace can be good sources for expired or rare 110 film cartridges. Beware, older Kodak 110 film DOES NOT hold up very well at all. Of all of the 110 film cartridges we’ve developed, very few old Kodak rolls produce an image. They fade very quickly and so badly that we can’t recover any images in most cases. Expired Fuji 110 film holds up amazingly well as
Where You Can Develop 110 Film
Finding a reliable lab that knows where to develop 110 film is crucial for getting high-quality results. There are very few labs that process 110 film now-a-days. 110 film takes more time and presents its own set of challenges to scanning and printing. Here are some options for 110 film developing:
Shutter Junkies Photo – If you're looking for professional 110 film development, Shutter Junkies Photo offers high-quality processing for 110 film cartridges with nationwide shipping available. We even return your negatives to you!!
Online film labs – Companies like The Darkroom and Dwayne’s Photo specialize in developing 110 film and offer scanning and printing services.
Local photo labs – Some independent film labs still accept 110 film, though availability varies by location.
Final Thoughts
Despite its small size, 110 film remains a charming and accessible format for film photography lovers. Whether you're exploring vintage 110 film cameras, searching for 110 film cartridges, or trying to find where to develop 110 film, there's never been a better time to rediscover this iconic format. Happy shooting!