In Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake, the Camera Obscura is not just a tool for capturing supernatural evidence. It is your sole means of fighting back against the spirits haunting Minakami Village. The film you load into it determines how much damage you deal, how fast you can fire again, and whether you survive a close-quarters encounter with a Wraith. Understanding the full lineup of film types, from the battered Type-07 all the way up to the rare Type-Zero, is the difference between struggling through every chapter and dispatching ghosts with precision and confidence.
Film type selection screen
What Are the Film Types in Fatal Frame II Remake?
Every film type in Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a consumable resource loaded into the Camera Obscura. Each type carries a numerical designation that reflects its relative exorcismal strength and reload speed. The higher the number, the more powerful the film, and generally the rarer it is to find in the environment. The one exception to this numbering logic is Type-Zero Film, which sits outside the standard scale entirely and represents the most potent option available.
Here is how the full lineup stacks up:
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The Japanese names for each film type use individual digit characters rather than compound numerals, so Type-61 is read as "six-one" rather than "sixty-one," according to the Fatal Frame Wiki.Type-07 Film: The Starting Roll
Type-07 Film (Zero-nanashiki firumu) comes loaded with the Camera Obscura from the very start of the game. Its packaging looks worn and aged, which reflects its stats perfectly. It has the weakest exorcismal power of any film type and the longest reload time between shots. In the Remake, it loads automatically into the camera.
The upside is that Type-07 has infinite uses, meaning you never run out. This makes it useful for photographing Hidden and Vanishing ghosts that do not attack you, preserving stronger film for actual combat. That said, experienced players recommend abandoning it for combat purposes as soon as you have access to better options. After the tutorial fight with Miyako, there is very little reason to fire Type-07 at a hostile Wraith.
Type-14 Film: A Marginal Step Up
Type-14 Film (Ichi-yonshiki firumu) was actually the weakest film in the original Fatal Frame before Type-07 was introduced in later entries. In Crimson Butterfly Remake, it sits just above Type-07 on the power scale. It still carries low exorcismal strength and a relatively long reload window, but it is one of the most commonly found films scattered throughout Minakami Village.
Think of Type-14 as a transitional film. It is worth picking up and using freely during the early chapters, but you should not hoard it once stronger options become available.
Type-61 Film: The Mid-Game Workhorse
Type-61 Film (Roku-isshiki firumu) is where things start getting genuinely useful. It carries moderate exorcismal power paired with a notably short reload time, which makes it one of the most practical films for sustained combat throughout the mid and late game.
Its green coloring mirrors the appearance of Type-37 Film from the original Fatal Frame, and the two share equivalent power levels within their respective games. Type-61 appears less frequently in the environment than Type-07 or Type-14, but the game provides enough pickups that you can use it liberally without running dry.
Here is the key insight that many players miss: once you upgrade Focal Points to the maximum of 4 circles and put a single point each into Zoom and Focus, Type-61 becomes powerful enough to stealth-kill almost any enemy in the game, including tough late-chapter enemies like Veiled Priests and Mourners. That combination turns a mid-tier film into a finishing tool.
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In Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, Type-61 can be purchased directly from save point shops on Easy and Normal difficulties, making resource management much simpler on those settings.
Type-61 reload speed advantage
Type-74 and Type-90 Film: High-Power Options
Type-74 Film and Type-90 Film occupy the upper tier of the standard film scale. Both carry significantly stronger exorcismal power than Type-61, with Type-90 being the heavier hitter of the two.
One important tactical note about Type-90 specifically: when using it, keep the camera raised between shots rather than lowering it to dodge. The film fires and reloads quickly enough that maintaining your shooting position pays off more than repositioning. This is different from the advice for most other film types, where lowering the camera to dodge between reloads is generally the smarter play.
Type-74 is also worth holding the camera up for during Shutter Chance windows, where a well-timed shot can deal bonus damage. Both film types are less common than Type-61, so treat them as premium resources for tougher encounters.
Type-Zero Film: Save It for What Matters
Type-Zero Film sits entirely outside the numbered hierarchy. It is the most powerful film in the game and should be treated accordingly. Based on available information from community sources, experienced players recommend saving every shot of Type-Zero for the most demanding encounters rather than spending it on standard Wraiths.
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Do not waste Type-Zero Film on enemies that Type-61 or Type-90 can handle. It is scarce enough that burning through it on routine fights will leave you underpowered when it counts most.
Lock on before shooting
How Do You Maximize Film Damage in Combat?
Knowing which film to use is only half the equation. The other half is how you use the camera. Here are the most impactful upgrades and techniques to pair with your film choices:
Focal Points: The Single Most Important Upgrade
Upgrading Focal Points to the maximum of 4 circles is the highest-priority camera upgrade in the game. More Focal Points means significantly more damage per shot, regardless of which film you are using. Even a single upgrade point creates a noticeable jump in damage output. Players who feel their shots are doing underwhelming damage almost always have neglected this stat.
Do not invest in other camera upgrades until Focal Points are maxed.
Zoom and Focus: One Point Each Is Enough
After maxing Focal Points, put a single upgrade point into Zoom and one into Focus.
- Focus makes the camera snap to a Wraith's position faster when you raise it.
- Zoom increases damage by letting you zoom in on Wraiths to hit more Focal Points simultaneously.
One point in each is sufficient. You do not need to max these out to get the full benefit.
The Radiant Filter Build
Once Focal Points are maxed and you have one point each in Zoom and Focus, the Radiant Filter build becomes available. Purchase the Radiant Charm, upgrade it to +5, and invest in Radiant Filter upgrades starting with Charge Time. This combination lets you dispatch nearly any Wraith in the game with speed and efficiency.
Upgrade Focal Points first
Target Lock and Fatal Frame Shots
When a Fatal Frame chance triggers, use Target Lock (R3 on controller, or the G key on keyboard) before firing. This snaps the camera to the Wraith's face, maximizing the number of Focal Points that connect and dealing the highest possible damage. You can also activate Target Lock just before an anticipated Fatal Frame window to set yourself up early.
When Should You Lower the Camera?
A question that trips up many players: when is it better to lower the camera between shots versus keeping it raised?
The general rule is to lower the camera during reload time and dodge or reposition, unless you are using Type-90 Film or are anticipating a Shutter Chance. The dodge invincibility frames in the Remake are generous, so you can often dodge right as an attack connects and take no damage. Getting comfortable with this rhythm makes the combat much more forgiving.
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In Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, Ren Hojo's Rapid Shot ability consumes one shot of film per photo for a total of four uses when firing Type-61, so plan your ammo counts accordingly when using that character.
Dodge between film reloads
Film Type Locations Across the Series
For players coming to Fatal Frame III: The Tormented or Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse after the Remake, here is a quick reference for where Type-61 appears in those titles:
Fatal Frame III locations for Type-61:
- Hall with Tatami (The Manor of Sleep 1F)
- Great Hall (Himuro Mansion 1F)
- Closet Hallway (The Manor of Sleep 1F)
- Engraving Shrine (Shrine 1F)
Fatal Frame IV: Type-61 can be purchased at save point shops on Easy and Normal difficulties, and found intermittently throughout the game.
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water: Starting from Chapter Four onward, 24 shots of Type-61 come pre-loaded into the Camera Obscura, with additional pickups of 12 or 24 shots found across chapters.
What Film Should You Prioritize Throughout the Game?
Here is a practical priority breakdown by game stage:
- Early chapters: Use Type-07 freely for non-combat photography. Switch to Type-14 or Type-61 for Wraith fights.
- Mid-game: Make Type-61 your primary combat film. Stop using Type-07 in fights entirely.
- Late chapters: Use Type-61 and Type-90 for standard enemies. Reserve Type-Zero for boss encounters and the most dangerous Wraiths.
- Photo mode and collectibles: Always use Type-07 for Specters, Twin Dolls, and other non-hostile spirits to conserve stronger film.
The game drops enough film pickups that you can afford to use Type-90 and Type-61 without constant anxiety about running out, especially once your Focal Points are upgraded and you are clearing Wraiths efficiently.