Comparative Exposure Latitude of Velvia 50, E100G, E200 and Provia 400X

[JPSuisse]

Dear All

So, I'm going to do some shooting with Velvia 50, E100G, E200 and Povia 400X. (All films in production as of February 2011...) And wanted to find out how many stops above the grey scale card I would have at my disposal for each of these films before the highlights were burned out.

I managed to have time to make a zone exposure test for Velvia 50 and E200. Basically, I got a 1° spot meter and went through 11 stops of exposure on both films and choose exposrue number 5 has the "base value." That means 5 stops of over-exposrue and 5 stops of under exposure. I used 3 different lenses: Summicron-M 35 ASPH, Color-Heliar 75 and Summilux-M 50 ASPH.

Does anybody know, if E100G has approximately the same exposure latitude as E200? This would save me burning a roll of film for a test!

Also, I suppose that Velvia 50 and Provia 400X are so different that there's no way I'll be able to avoid a seperate test, or? ...

Thanks for any feedback you may have in advance! I just gave my film up for developing today, so I guess I'll post my results for Velvia 50 and E200 in another thread next weekend.

Cheers, JP

 

[Ranchu]

I don't know, but you can check the curves on the datasheets? Kodak's site is not designed for navigation, but you'll be able to find them eventually. I think searching film names is the quickest...

 

[Tim Gray]

You can get the information you are seeking by looking at the characteristic curves in the film spec sheets. I've attached the curve of Velvia 50. Looking at the linear part of the curve, it spans roughly 1.25-1.5 log exposure, which corresponds to 4-5 stops. Each .3 of log exposure is a stop. Of course you get a little extra density in the shoulder and toe, but it's non-linear there, so think of it as a bonus - I wouldn't put any important detail there. But it still would probably let you get some detail in another stop or so, mostly in the toe region, which corresponds to highlights.

Looking at 400X, I'd say it gets and extra stop or two. Maybe 😀. So somewhere between 5-6 stops?

E100G and E200 don't look that much different to me judging from the curves. They both look like about 5-6 stops, plus a bit extra on the shoulder and toe. The toes on these films look more prolonged than on Velvia. You can find their data sheets by googling 'Kodak E100G' or going to here.

Compare those to what you get with negative film where you usually see a linear part (ignoring the toe) that goes 10 stops before the plot ends, with no real sign of a shoulder.

I really don't see how you are getting a 10 stop range out of these films. I certainly never have...

 

[JPSuisse]

Hi Tim

Thanks for these quick insights. This really helps me to move forward productively!

Duh! A datasheet! Why didn't I think of that? ;-)

Cheers,

JP

 

[tlitody]

the datasheets are a good starting point but they are not the whole story. You need to consider where your film goes after development. For example, if it is to be printed direct to ilfochrome paper then you need to look at the data sheets for that as well because the scale there is much shorter so you can't use the full scale of the film.
If you are going to be scanning then you need to consider the DMax of the scanner and whether that Dmax is realistic. If your scanner claims DMax 4.0 it may only give a DMax of upto 3.0 before noise becomes a problem. So you may have to work in a narrower portion of what your film is actually capable of. Just saying so you aren't disappointed that you can't get everything from the film you thought you would even though the film has captured it. Adjust exposure placement to fit your paper or scanner range.

 

[JPSuisse]

Tlitody,

Thanks for these tips as well. I've got a very good scanning process with a Nikon 5000. I'm not worried about this part. But, you are 100% correct.

JP

 

[JPSuisse]

Tim,

to come back to your comment. I do not expect to get 10 stops. I'm just trying to see where the highlights end and the blacks are no longer readable.

Yes, datasheets, I even had the one for Velvia on my laptop. Just got the ones from the Kodak website! E200 is discontinued, but at least the data sheet is still avaiblable... 🙁

Cheers,

JP

 

[dyao]

any updates?