Hi,
The only 4x5 slide films I'm seeing currently are Fuji Velvia and Provia.
Has anyone used Provia 100F on skin tones?
yes, I have. Or more precise: I am using Provia 100F (and 400X) on a regular basis for fashion and portrait shots. And I've always been satiesfied with the results.
Skin tones are very good with Provia 100F. This film is an excellent all-around film with a very natural and precise color reproduction.
As with all color portraits, the quality of the light is the major factor. That is much more important than the film. Most color portraits (especially with caucasian skin) look best if the light is slightly balanced in the warm direction.
In the studio there is no problem in adjusting the light as you want it.
Outdoors it can be a little more problematic, especially at high noon when the light is more blue, and in overcast situations.
Then either a light warming filter on the lens (e.g. Skylight 1A or 1B), or a warm (gold) reflector is useful.
I agree that Astia 100F has excellent skin tones, but Provia 100F has still very good skin tones.
Another option is Provia 400X (in your case as 6x9 roll film in a roll film back at your LF camera).
Provia 400X has even better skin tones than Provia 100F, and is in this respect very similar to Astia.
I have only used it on landscape and it's beautiful but a little much saturated for skin, I think. Not much, but just a little.
No, don't worry, it is not too saturated. As said above, the most important factor is the quality / characteristic of the light you use.
If you want less saturation lower the speed about half a stop, or 2/3 stop, and use pull development. By this you get a bit lower contrast and a bit less saturation.
Would a cooling filter help this out? Any thoughts or advice on this one?
No,I would not use a cooling filter. Astia for example has a bit warmer color balance than Provia 100F, which is very neutral balanced.
If you want more the Astia look, use a Skylight 1A (or 1B) filter.
Skin tones mostly look better with a bit warmer colors.
