Perturbation solutions for large and for small bearing numbers are developed and applied to steady, self-acting, infinitely long, journal and plane wedge films. Bearing films of this type develop load capacity as a consequence of relative surface motion. The solutions given here have validity for all ranges of geometrical parameters. Four-place accuracy in determining the load carried by a journal bearing is achieved. The plane wedge film solution for large bearing numbers is complicated by the reduction in order of the limiting equation. A boundary-layer type analysis yields fairly accurate results.