Low contrast lenses and high contrast film?

[benno]

Any thoughts on the above folks?

I saw somewhere, can't find it now, someone using Velvia with old low constrast lenses and getting beautiful results. I have been running Reala with my Summaron/Summarit and Elmar and quite liking the results.

Here's an example:

Anyone else doing something similar? I'm particularly interested hearing from anyone using Velvia like this, as it's something I intend to try soon.

Regards,
Ben

 

[kknox]

Hi yes I have done the same with my fall photos in Flickr. I used Reala with my M3 & a 9cm elmar collapsible lens. Your shot is great, I do not know how to post a photo in this topic so here is the link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/28501471@N08/3002921261/sizes/o/

 

[crawdiddy]

Any thoughts on the above folks?

Ben

Your photo is quite stunning.

Is it just me, or does it look photoshopped? The shadows on the rock don't seem consistent with lack of shadows for trees in the foreground. Sorry, I don't mean this as an insult. It just looks a little too perfect.

 

[benno]

no mate, no photoshop. I wouldn't know how. I sharpened it in lightroom and added about 10 in the vibrance setting.

 

[ben_m]

Is it just me, or does it look photoshopped? The shadows on the rock don't seem consistent with lack of shadows for trees in the foreground. Sorry, I don't mean this as an insult. It just looks a little too perfect.

The trees have very harsh shadows of their own branches on them. The shadows of the tree on the ground are covered by bright grass between the camera and the shadows. Nothing looks unusual to me.

 

[Bingley]

Another variation on this theme: Canon 35/2.8 w/ XP2:

 

[ChrisN]

Ben, nice shot of the Rock. I used some Velvia on a trip to the desert country earlier this year, and was a bit disappointed with the look the super-saturated colours gave to the dunes. I don't think it is the right film for our natural colouirs in this part of the world. Someone with more skill with Lightroom or Photoshop might be able to get the colours adjusted properly, but I think Velva is probably not the best starting point. Obviously this depends on what you are shooting, too.

 

[benno]

Chris, I guess everyone has different tastes - I had some Velvia in the SLR and loved it!

I'm off to Cambodia shortly and taking only the M3 to save weight/space. I'll try a couple of rolls of Velvia and see how it goes. I think my main films will be Neopan and Portra though.


Evil SLR pics:

 

[charjohncarter]

Hi Benno, I thought about this subject many times. I have never used a High Contrast Film with a low contrast lens on purpose though. I develop my B&W to low contrast and try to maximize the shadow detail. Here is my lowest contrast lens with TriX but developed for shadows:

I may give your high contrast film idea a try.

Carter