Film question...

[hitmanh]

I've been shooting with a variety of B&W film for a couple of months now, and I would quite fancy adding some colour film. I have no idea about colour film so, if anyone has any recommendations or warnings or films to void that would be cool.
I tend to like more contrast and saturation than less, but I will try anything once.

Thanks

Matt

PS I would prefer it if we could stick to film that can be developed in the UK 😀

 

[DMG]

I'd go for fuji velvia 100 (slide film or ISO 50 of you go to 7dayshop), processed in nearly all UK places. Personally I prefer the muted more natural tones of Astia

 

[drewbarb]

Fuji negative films are all highly regarded. I really like the "PRO" series, but the Superia films are all quite good, too. The contrast and saturation you are interested in is as much a function of the lab (and your proper exposure) as it is inherent in the film. A bad lab will give poor results from excellent film, just as a very good lab will give very good results from mediocre film, so make sure you find one you like. It's worth asking the folks who will run your film what they think gives the best results- it's very likely that they will have their systems optimized for one brand or type, and this will give you the best results.

Best luck, and let us know what you come up with.

EDIT: As for slides, I pretty much only shoot Fuji- Provia, Astia, and sometimes Velvia. Kodak is pretty disapointing these days, IMO.

 

[MadMan2k]

I like Fuji slide films a lot also. Velvia is great for landscapes, but it can be over the top with very colorful scenes in contrasty light. The shadows are really dense on Velvia slides, and they can be harder to project or scan sometimes, but in medium contrast light and the right scene can look amazing.

Provia is a little better for all around, it's not as saturated or contrasty but it's nice. Astia is good too, and Sensia is closer to provia but I'd say a little warmer.

A lot of people love Kodachrome, and I like the look of their EC 200 (I think it's called). Kodak 400UC print film is pretty good too, but its blue rendition isn't very pleasing in my opinion.

 

[40oz]

eh, I have never liked the images from Fuji Superia. Kodak Gold 100, 200 and MAX 400 all have impressed my with the vibrancy and accuracy of the colors. Superia never seemed to result in a good picture for me (flat colors from 100, 200, and 400 speed films), while the Kodak films I mentioned always seemed to result in a better image than I was expecting.

It's all personal preference obviously, and both Fuji and Kodak make many types of color films. I just haven't used a Fuji color film I liked, and stopped looking.

 

[Xmas]

Matt

If you are willing to be real careful (and may be bracket) then the slide film is incomparable for projection or scanning.

Kchrome 64 and 200 in that order are only handicapped by processing delay, I get 2-3 weeks.

FChrome 100 to 400 is one week processing by post proecss paid and not as nice as the Kodak unless you cannot tolerate the extra 2 weeks. the fuji chrome is nice but some people need the Kodak.

All the transparency film could do with incident light metering.

If you just want nice colour prints either K or F are ok and it is subjective what you should pick, and more dependent on the supermarket/mini lab operators.

Noel

 

[clintock]

I've found that for color prints, asking the mini lab operator what film they have the best results with helps. I go one place for kodak another for fuji.
A film I like when the operator is used to it is the Kodak High Definition 400, but some hate that film, probably because of non-compatible mini lab settings.. but when it's set up right, it's great stuff considering it's available at the drug store.

 

[hitmanh]

Thanks for the replies... I will try out some Fuji to start with and start the search for a decent local lab 😀

Cheers

Matt

 

[Richard Black]

I must recommend Fuji Reala, if you can get it. ASA 100, with great color saturation and bright colors. I've used it at several weddings and on several trips. It is a bit more expensive and I feel worth it.