Slide film choice for a newby

[wlewisiii]

Just one of those things I've never gotten around to, but I'm thinking that I need to start shooting transparencies, eventually in all three formats I shoot (35, 120, 4x5) but to start with in 135 in the Canon. But I have essentially _no_ knowledge of what films there currently are or what their characteristics are like.

Perhaps as a starting point, these are the color negative films that I like using:
1) Fuji NPH 400
2) Kodak Portra 160NC
3) Fuji Reala CS
4) Fuji Supera 400

Given that, oh wise ones of the RFF 😀 what are your recommendations for the feeding of the new to me Canon?

Thanks all,

William

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Hmm, it looks like you may want to stick to either Velvia 100F; nice color punch.

But if you want less saturation, perhaps Kodak Elitechrome 100 or 400 would do the trick; the grain on the Elitechrome 100 is rather pleasing. This is also the cheapest.

Fuji Provia 100F is neutral; it's great, imo. Great superfine grain too. They also make Provia 400, but the grain is similar to Elitechrome 400.

 

[Pherdinand]

i personally liked the kodak e100sw ("saturated warm") alot. I think it's discontinued and the new version is called e100gx.
You know what, i've shot a roll of velvia 50 too, and the results are nice, far from the oversaturated gimmicky stuff i see everyday on the 'net. Some say it's less contrasty and oversaturaterd due to the fact i used it in the old rolleiflex with the uncoated tessar, a lower contrast lens. Could be true; and if it is, you might also like it in your oldies😉

 

[Pherdinand]

Oh and I find reala100 and nph 400 two completely different films in 135-format. Reala is very sharp very brilliant in colours, nph is smoother and less contrasty/less saturated, and very sensitive to underexposure. So by including both in your list i guess any slide film might be good for some subjects, for you🙂

 

[pab]

Fuji Provia100F is a great all round film, sharp, small grain, punchy but not unnaturally so with very acceptable Caucasian skin tones. This is my standard travel film because it is easier to expose than those in the Velvia family yet is punchy enough for landscapes. I occasionally use Provia 400F in low light or for street photography with small aperture- it's noticeable grainy and not as saturated as the 100F but still a good film.

For harsh light I find Kodak Ektachrome 200 has a wider exposure tolerance but it is grainy and rather subdued in colour saturation. Fuji Astia also is supposed to be slightly more tolerant to misexposure than Provia but it is not as punchy. It gives outstanding Caucasian skin tones. Sensia 100 is supposed to be the consumer version of Astia.

Remember, you have to expose much more carefully with slide film than print film. I'd start with Provia 100F or Sensia 100 as these are relatively forgiving.

 

[wlewisiii]

Thanks folks, that's the kind information I was hoping for.

William

 

[Socke]

I want to give Sensia 100 a thumbs up! It is pretty cheap and my holliday pictures from tropical beaches look very good 🙂

And it scans well!

 

[Kin Lau]

The only E-6 I've shot so far, is also Sensia, although I've got the cheap E100VS coming and Velvia in 120 & 4x5 (they don't make Sensia for those sizes). Sensia was also the cheapest E-6 I could get, and gave lovely colours when we were in Hawaii.

There was an interesting w/nw thread in pnet with shots on Velvia using old Summars and other older lenses and such. Very nice, since the nice contrast of Velvia was nicely balanced by the lower contrast of the lenses.

 

[cp_ste.croix]

I shoot only Fuji in slide film, with Provia being my fav. Nice, neutral colour balance and a bit better with blues than Kodak IMO...Sensia is nice as well, and a little cheaper IIRC...I'm not a landscape guy, so Velvia has never been a regular in my kit, but as long as there are no people in the frame and you have a tripod, it is amazing.

I know Fuji puts out a comparison chart, but I can't find it right now at work. Never used Astia, though i'd trust it because I love Fuji chromes...

 

[GeneW]

For Canadians, Black's (a photo chain) slide film is rebadged Sensia 100. The cost, which comes with processing, was pretty reasonable last time I checked. I takes them about 10 days to send out the film and have it back, but it's a cheap way to experiment with slide film.

Gene

 

[DougK]

Another vote for Kodak Elite Chrome. I haven't used the 400 but I've used both the 100 and 200 with very nice results, especially the 100. I've not used the "extra color" versions but I've not seen a need; the colors from the regular version are saturated enough for me.

 

[wlewisiii]

Well, I stopped in at my FLCS this morning intending to pick up some Provia or Sensia and instead ended up with three rolls of Ektachrome 400X... Slightly outdated but kept in cold storage at 1/3 price. Too cheap to pass on this time. I figure it'll be fun to experiment with.

But I'm keeping a printout of this thread for next time. Thanks again to all of you.

William

 

[bmattock]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Fuji Astia 100F. William's noted C41 choices are 'skin friendly' portrait type films - Astia is pretty much made for this in E6. I haven't much experience myself, that's just what I hear. Correct me if I am wrong.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Kin Lau]

For Canadians, Black's (a photo chain) slide film is rebadged Sensia 100. The cost, which comes with processing, was pretty reasonable last time I checked. I takes them about 10 days to send out the film and have it back, but it's a cheap way to experiment with slide film.

Gene

That's a good price....CDN$14.99 for 36 + processing. There's even a discount of $2-/roll if you buy 5. Henry's wants CDN$15.99 for the same thing and only discounts to $14.99 at > 9 rolls. I might have gone for it if I didn't have 20 rolls of E100VS coming.

Thanks Gene.

 

[sooner]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but what is the archival quality of slide films, and is there much difference between films? I know Kodachrome lasts the longest, i.e. 50 plus years, but what about the others, especially the Kodak Elitechrome? --Sooner

 

[RObert Budding]

Fuji Astia is my choice - lovely natural colors and great for skin tones. I don't like Velvia - just too pumped up for my tastes, and skin tones are awful!

Robert

 

[Toby]

Provia 100f for me -absolutely no doubt about it

 

[Rob]

I dont think you will like a 400 speed chrome, they are way to grainy. For most things I like the Kodak Elitechrome 100, 200 when needed, it is great for fall colors, emphasis on reds and browns. Fuji Sensia is good too but it enhances greens, Fuji Velvia is great, also really pops colors out but do not shoot it unless its overcast in full sun your shadows are too black and dont shoot it if people are the main part of your shot, its not too good with skin tones..

 

[canonetc]

Just one of those things I've never gotten around to, but I'm thinking that I need to start shooting transparencies, eventually in all three formats I shoot (35, 120, 4x5) but to start with in 135 in the Canon. But I have essentially _no_ knowledge of what films there currently are or what their characteristics are like.

Perhaps as a starting point, these are the color negative films that I like using:
1) Fuji NPH 400
2) Kodak Portra 160NC
3) Fuji Reala CS
4) Fuji Supera 400

Given that, oh wise ones of the RFF 😀 what are your recommendations for the feeding of the new to me Canon?

Thanks all,

William

Yeah, try Velvia and a polarizing filter. You might also try Fuji ASTIA 100ASA if you can get any. It's less expensive, but great in greens, blues and skin tones. Stay away from Fuji Sensia 400. Cheap, but awful grain.

Chris
canonetc

 

[jano]

Fuji Astia

Fuji Astia

Here's another thumbs up for Astia 100f. Some have mentioned Sensia, I believe Sensia is the "consumer" version of astia (and/or provia).