Axot
Newbie
I'm buying a RF with SC Nokton 1.4 lens (haven't decided between 35 and 40 mm yet) for the "classic" look.
I'm aware a vacation is not the best setting for learning film, but I don't want to miss the opportunity to take pictures in beautiful France. Will take some digital pics as backup.
Help me pick one or two B&W and one or two colour films to take with me. I might have time to run a test roll before departure, not sure (camera will reach my hands just a few days before our flight, late this month).
I wish a 50~60s mood in the photos, please take into account the locations:
St Tropez
Provence (Luberon small villages)
Paris
Most will be in daylight, but I want to take some night shoots as well.
What should I take? Also please comment on filters.
Thanks
I'm aware a vacation is not the best setting for learning film, but I don't want to miss the opportunity to take pictures in beautiful France. Will take some digital pics as backup.
Help me pick one or two B&W and one or two colour films to take with me. I might have time to run a test roll before departure, not sure (camera will reach my hands just a few days before our flight, late this month).
I wish a 50~60s mood in the photos, please take into account the locations:
St Tropez
Provence (Luberon small villages)
Paris
Most will be in daylight, but I want to take some night shoots as well.
What should I take? Also please comment on filters.
Thanks
Scrambler
Well-known
Now that we know there are more European members than anywhere else, I think their opinions will be most valuable.
It sounds like you want a traditional crystal structure B&W. You should be able to buy in Europe which will save transport through xrays.
Can I suggest, though, only one film? If you are confident with digital, use that for colour. Don't be trying to understand a new camera, new focusing system, new medium (film) and 4 different types all at once.
If you are trying to learn, feedback is important so check what you can easily get developed in France. If this is C41, i would recommend one of the C41 (color) process B&W films like Kodak BW400CN or Ilford XP-2. Not as classic in appearance, but good films to learn with as they are relatively forgiving.
PS welcome - I'm sure you will enjoy the learning process
Again on filters, don't try too much at once. A yellow filter will help highlight clouds and cut reflected sunlight in shadows (enhancing contrast), with 1 stop loss in available light.
It sounds like you want a traditional crystal structure B&W. You should be able to buy in Europe which will save transport through xrays.
Can I suggest, though, only one film? If you are confident with digital, use that for colour. Don't be trying to understand a new camera, new focusing system, new medium (film) and 4 different types all at once.
If you are trying to learn, feedback is important so check what you can easily get developed in France. If this is C41, i would recommend one of the C41 (color) process B&W films like Kodak BW400CN or Ilford XP-2. Not as classic in appearance, but good films to learn with as they are relatively forgiving.
PS welcome - I'm sure you will enjoy the learning process
Again on filters, don't try too much at once. A yellow filter will help highlight clouds and cut reflected sunlight in shadows (enhancing contrast), with 1 stop loss in available light.
stitchohana
Well-known
Welcome to RFF!
my choice of films are Neopan 400 (B&W) & Velvia 100 (Colours). Below are 2 links for your references to both films. Hopefully it will help.
Velvia 100
Neopan 400
my choice of films are Neopan 400 (B&W) & Velvia 100 (Colours). Below are 2 links for your references to both films. Hopefully it will help.
Velvia 100
Neopan 400
thegman
Veteran
For colour I'd go Kodak Portra 400, and B&W I'd go Ilford XP2 400, easy to shoot, forgiving films. Kodak Gold I find can give a sort of warm look, which looks like an older film (I guess because it is).
mfogiel
Veteran
Look, if you are new to film, then don't fiddle. Buy Tri X, and if you REALLY want to complicate yourself things, you can buy some Portra 400 for day photos only. Rate Portra at EI 200 and develop normally in a lab. Rate Tri X mainly at EI 250, but you can go as low as EI 64 and as high as EI 1250 if you really need. Take note on the rolls how you rated them. When you get back, you will have to develop Tri X yourself - return asking for instructions. If I were you, I would skip colour film completely and do it with digital.
Assuming you would want to make some sweeping shots of the sea or distant architecture, a filter that would darken the skies might be of help. You can get a yellow-green, with the advantage that it won't darken foliage and is nice for portraits, or you can get an orange, which will give more contrast and make the architecture stand out more. Try to buy the best multicoated filters - I would recommend B+W MRC series. BTW, remember to compensate the exposure - e.g. with an orange filter, you would indicate your camera, than instead of an EI 250 film, you shoot an EI 64 film.
Here's an extreme effect - blue French sky with a red filter:
MF20142903 by mfogiel, on Flickr
Assuming you would want to make some sweeping shots of the sea or distant architecture, a filter that would darken the skies might be of help. You can get a yellow-green, with the advantage that it won't darken foliage and is nice for portraits, or you can get an orange, which will give more contrast and make the architecture stand out more. Try to buy the best multicoated filters - I would recommend B+W MRC series. BTW, remember to compensate the exposure - e.g. with an orange filter, you would indicate your camera, than instead of an EI 250 film, you shoot an EI 64 film.
Here's an extreme effect - blue French sky with a red filter:
MF20142903 by mfogiel, on Flickr
Johann Espiritu
Lawyer / Ninja
Portra 400 + Tri-X. Classic combo.
Scrambler
Well-known
BTW - compensation advice is good for external metering. If using a TTL (in camera) meter, don't compensate.
Axot
Newbie
Wow, lots of info, thank you all!
I guess I will follow the advice of sticking to 1 BW, and maybe 1 colour.
Will forget about filters, at least for this trip, let me get some experience before complicating things.
I will avoid C41 though, because I want a more classic look. I'm going to St Tropez because And God Created Woman, when I think Paris I think Serge Gainsbourg. That's the mood I want to capture.
I'm thinking Tri-X, but lets hear more input. Keep coming. Thanks!
I guess I will follow the advice of sticking to 1 BW, and maybe 1 colour.
Will forget about filters, at least for this trip, let me get some experience before complicating things.
I will avoid C41 though, because I want a more classic look. I'm going to St Tropez because And God Created Woman, when I think Paris I think Serge Gainsbourg. That's the mood I want to capture.
I'm thinking Tri-X, but lets hear more input. Keep coming. Thanks!
Ranchu
Veteran
I guess I'm puzzled someone would take black and white travel pictures. I'd get portra 400 and be done with it.
analogish
Established
I would recommend 400 ASA film. I usually use Kodak TMAX, if I want grain I use Tri-X. I always use a yellow filter.
Addy101
Well-known
Color will be C41 unless you go transparencies. If you develop yourself, traditional B&W is ideal, but if you do lab development, the C41 B&W are a better option IMHO. They're really nice. But it is up to you.
There is btw no 50's or 60's look. Just like now there were several looks. You mentioned "Et Dieu... créa la femme" and if I'm correct that is a color film. If you're looking for that look it will be hard to find. I don't think Porta is the right film, maybe Ektar. Those 50's colorfilms tried to overemphasize that they were in color, modern films are more neutral.
Whatever you do, have fun in France!
There is btw no 50's or 60's look. Just like now there were several looks. You mentioned "Et Dieu... créa la femme" and if I'm correct that is a color film. If you're looking for that look it will be hard to find. I don't think Porta is the right film, maybe Ektar. Those 50's colorfilms tried to overemphasize that they were in color, modern films are more neutral.
Whatever you do, have fun in France!
Chris101
summicronia
Because we like black and white photographs?
If it were me, I would use only one film, and that would likely be trix (or neopan/hp5/tmax/delta 400 as a distant second.) It's quite versatile, and you will can easily get the old-timey look with it. The key is the 400 box speed can be halved/doubled and you can print/scan out the difference. Learning developing and exposure with only one film is the way to go, otherwise you will be hoping for 'happy accidents' the whole time.
Filters: with b&w film you can get the kind that darken the sky - yellow, orange, red. Get a red filter - it adds 3 stops of darkness to daylight pictures, and two stops to pictures made with incandescent or sodium illumination. The weaker filters work the same, but less so. Learn with the strongest and then you will get the idea. The other kind of filter is green. It makes skin darker and leaves lighter. Great for swarthy men in the forest (Monty Python's Lumberjack song?) or tan women on the beach. In San Tropez, you will be going for the latter.
Once you get those two, look at how blue filters make pollution worse, and how to use a polarizer to make water look more transparent. Close-up filters are a blast, but with an RF camera, you will need to work out the distances before hand. Get one of those star or halo producing filters only if you want to elicit groans. (Or if your audience is all from the 1960s ... We used to look through a rotating 5 sided prism instead of taking drugs back then, and nobody could tell the difference!)
Have fun! You obviously enjoy challenges.
leicapixie
Well-known
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143856
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143856
Meter systems see more light than there is, with certain filters.
Deep red, orange need way more exposure..
My Leica, Canon, Pentax and Nikon do..
Leave "contrast" filters for another time.
Try to use color and BW films of same speed.
Traditional films are Tri-X and Kodak Gold.
C-41 BW film a good bet.
If you have digital, therefor a PC, use color only and convert.
Don't try to do too much.
Keep it simple.
One film,one lens,one film camera.
When back choose a recommended lab.
Enjoy the trip.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143856
Sorry,but that's not right!
Meter systems see more light than there is, with certain filters.
Deep red, orange need way more exposure..
My Leica, Canon, Pentax and Nikon do..
Leave "contrast" filters for another time.
Try to use color and BW films of same speed.
Traditional films are Tri-X and Kodak Gold.
C-41 BW film a good bet.
If you have digital, therefor a PC, use color only and convert.
Don't try to do too much.
Keep it simple.
One film,one lens,one film camera.
When back choose a recommended lab.
Enjoy the trip.
Ljós
Well-known
I also think that Portra 400 is great advice for colour film. It depends a bit of course what you exactly mean by "a 50~60s mood in the photos", for some that can be very red reds and very blue blues, others associate more pastel shades. If you are after more "pop" in the colours, then Kodak Ektar 100 would come to mind, too.
Kodak Tri-x is always a good choice, of course. Ilford Hp5 is technically a bit less modern and will give more visible grain, so if you are going for a vintage feel, this would be a bit closer. But not much. Most important, you will need a good lab for the black and white film. (It sounds as if you are not developing self.)
Greetings! Ljós
Kodak Tri-x is always a good choice, of course. Ilford Hp5 is technically a bit less modern and will give more visible grain, so if you are going for a vintage feel, this would be a bit closer. But not much. Most important, you will need a good lab for the black and white film. (It sounds as if you are not developing self.)
Greetings! Ljós
benji77
@R.F.F
Personally these work for me. Especially if I know that daylight is pretty long (Summer/Spring) and I will not be shooting that often in the dark.
Ilford Delta 100 & Portra 160. A few rolls of TriX for the nights will do.
Ilford Delta 100 & Portra 160. A few rolls of TriX for the nights will do.
kingqueenknave
Well-known
Tri-X and Portra 400.
Addy101
Well-known
@the people who say Portra: How is Portra like the bold colors of "Et Dieu... créa la femme"?
doolittle
Well-known
If you want to shoot with larger apertures on your nokton I would suggest Portra 160. For black and white Acros 100.
Else TriX and get an ND filter for your lens, which gives you more versatility.
If you are new to film I would avoid slide film for the time being.
Look up some film stocks on flickr, Portra has a look of it's own, maybe not what you want.
Ektar 100 might be a possibility if you want something bolder.
Else TriX and get an ND filter for your lens, which gives you more versatility.
If you are new to film I would avoid slide film for the time being.
Look up some film stocks on flickr, Portra has a look of it's own, maybe not what you want.
Ektar 100 might be a possibility if you want something bolder.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
OK, looking at B&W film I'd suggest Ilford FP4+ and not HP5 as some would. There's also Pan F at 50 ASA/ISO which is very fine grain and slow but nice.
In the south of France and south of the UK where I am you'll need a small aperture and fast shutter speed for the faster films people are suggesting and lenses don't show their best side at f/16. So a slower film will take you down to f/8 or f/5.6 where the lens is probably at its best in the film's centre and with the edges pretty good too. Use the funny 16 rule of thumb to see what I mean*.
Take a 400 or faster film and you'll be wasting your money on a fast lens as you'll seldom, if ever, use it wide open: well, not for tourist/travel photography. It's like buying a Porsche, imo; best hired now and again but unsuitable for everyday use.
A compensation filter like pale yellow and/or pale green or the yellow/green things will not be so extreme as the reds and oranges and you don't want to jump into the deep end do you? And check the exposure with the filter on and off the lens to see if the meter reacts to it. No need to waste film, just look at the exposure figures.
Regards, David
* FWIW funny 16 with a 400 ASA/ISO film means f/5.6 needs a shutter speed of a 4,000th of a second. The note pad wasn't long enough to get to f/1.4
OK, looking at B&W film I'd suggest Ilford FP4+ and not HP5 as some would. There's also Pan F at 50 ASA/ISO which is very fine grain and slow but nice.
In the south of France and south of the UK where I am you'll need a small aperture and fast shutter speed for the faster films people are suggesting and lenses don't show their best side at f/16. So a slower film will take you down to f/8 or f/5.6 where the lens is probably at its best in the film's centre and with the edges pretty good too. Use the funny 16 rule of thumb to see what I mean*.
Take a 400 or faster film and you'll be wasting your money on a fast lens as you'll seldom, if ever, use it wide open: well, not for tourist/travel photography. It's like buying a Porsche, imo; best hired now and again but unsuitable for everyday use.
A compensation filter like pale yellow and/or pale green or the yellow/green things will not be so extreme as the reds and oranges and you don't want to jump into the deep end do you? And check the exposure with the filter on and off the lens to see if the meter reacts to it. No need to waste film, just look at the exposure figures.
Regards, David
* FWIW funny 16 with a 400 ASA/ISO film means f/5.6 needs a shutter speed of a 4,000th of a second. The note pad wasn't long enough to get to f/1.4
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zauhar
Veteran
OK, my two cents as I have taken a lot of film photos on trips.
1) Tri-X for 'classic' black and white, if you shoot a lot at night and dim interiors you can push to 1600 with pretty good results.
2) For color, Portra 400 which is also usable in low light.
3) I second the votes for Ilford XP2, which is B&W with C-41 process. I think that film has a beautiful look, and it also works well in low light. I don't use it as much as I should.
This of course is from the perspective of someone who likes to photograph in less light, if you like to shoot in the sunshine, David makes a good point about needing the lens always stopped down if you use fast film.
Randy
1) Tri-X for 'classic' black and white, if you shoot a lot at night and dim interiors you can push to 1600 with pretty good results.
2) For color, Portra 400 which is also usable in low light.
3) I second the votes for Ilford XP2, which is B&W with C-41 process. I think that film has a beautiful look, and it also works well in low light. I don't use it as much as I should.
This of course is from the perspective of someone who likes to photograph in less light, if you like to shoot in the sunshine, David makes a good point about needing the lens always stopped down if you use fast film.
Randy