Who still shoots slides/positives and what film to buy?

[Ron (Netherlands)]

It is ages ago that I shot slides, but would like to try it again.
Please let me know:
1. What film do you currently use and why you like it;
2. what the best way is to get that film developed;
3. show some recent slides shot with the film you like.

 

[Matus]

The selection of slide film was reduced greatly. But as long as Provia 100F and 400X and Velvia 50 is avalibale, I am good. In particular Provia 100F is great.

When it comes to Velvia I realized that 50 not only has warmer colors, but also larger dynamic range than the 100.

Do not get me wrong - I also like negative color films - Ektar 100 is my favorite. But it looks very different than Provia.

In ISO 400 I often find the Portra 400 to be too flat, but I may need to understand the film better. Provia 400X is VERY similar to Provia 100F, just with somewhat larger grain (still great for ISO400 film).

 

[bugmenot]

Velvia and Provia are the only easily attainable ones. Pro labs develop E6 emulsions.

 

[mervynyan]

Velvia and Provia

 

[MartinP]

In NL and DE there is a lot of Agfa Precisa around in 35mm. This is made by Fuji and is half the price (almost) of their own Provia. That might be good to look at initially, try Maco for example. For 120 you would now be looking at Fuji I suppose.

If you send it to be developed via Hema (a national Dutch store known for their photo services) then it goes to a big lab (Fujifilm?) in Tilburg and they have plenty of volume for keeping a consistent quality - perhaps not super high professional Q-lab, but it is plenty good enough.

I don't have any Precisa to show as I'm still using, slowly, a small stock of Ektachrome (which is no longer available of course).

 

[Brian Puccio]

Provia for 95% of what I shoot, Velvia for when I want the crazy colors. I find Provia 100F @ 50 is what I use outdoors and Provia 400x @ 400 works well indoors when the sun is up and @ 1600 when it's dark and I don't want a tripod.

The GF is still unhappy about losing Kodak's E6 products.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Provia 100F is the only thing left for me. Velvia has too much contrast and Provia 400 is faster than I need and grainier than 100F.

 

[Mystyler]

Velvia 100F was given the chop earlier this year, unfortunately. I haven't tried it yet so can't comment, but Velvia 100 is certainly better for people than Velvia 50.
Slide film wise, currently my fridge has a selection of:

Kodak: E100VS and Elitechrome Extracolor
Fuji: Velvia 50, Astia 100F, Provia 100F and Provia 400X.

If I had to pick one to last me forever it would probably be Provia 400X, just because it is so versatile, but I don't want that day to come where I no longer have a choice. They're all good for different things. I currently have some Elitechrome in my OM-1 and have just got back a roll of Velvia 50 from my Bronica. Unfortunately, none of my slides have made it into cyberspace - yet.

 

[Moto-Uno]

velvia 100

velvia 100

Although I generally use Provia 100f,I had the Bronica loaded with
Velvia when this opportunity presented itself. This is pretty well
the colours as I saw them.I seldom shoot people pics,so maybe this is why I like ém both.

 

[VF101]

Shooting slide film I always use the film that is available here in my small town. At the moment this is a Kodak slide film labelled Agfa. (I still have some remainder, the new ones are Fuji.) For development I bring the film to the shop I bought the slide film, which sends the film to a big lab. The picture is not really recent, but I hope, it's recent enough:


(click to enlarge)

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

If you use FP4+ (and probably any old fashioned B&W film) you can develop it as B&W slides. The info's on their website, well, it was the last time I looked. I just wish you could still get Agfa B&W Dia Direct.

Regards, David

 

[Photo_Smith]

I like Fuji Provia 400x I use 120 film so grain doesn't worry me. I did a little review when it first came out on 35mm
http://photo-utopia.blogspot.co.uk/2007/05/fuji-provia-400x-when-i-first-tried-400.html

 

[efix]

Personally, I'm a huge fan of Kodak Elite Chrome 100. Though no longer made, there are still stocks out there. Just have to find them. I stocked up when Kodak announced they'd discontinue it, and those rolls will last me a while.

Elite Chrome has a totally different rendering from the Fuji stuff, with very clear blues and yellows. It's also slightly less dense than Fuji emulsions, meaning its easier to scan.


Letterboxes by efixphoto, on Flickr


What a beautiful specimen! by efixphoto, on Flickr

Elite Chrome Extra Color is more saturated, but has a nasty blue cast when used in the shade.


Hay bales by efixphoto, on Flickr


Friedhof Niederweiler by efixphoto, on Flickr

 

[sandermarijn]

I'm not a regular slides shooter any longer (used to be some 15 years ago) but last summer i tried agfa precisa, just one film. Developed via the HEMA route and it looked great, very much like the Sensia (never shot Provia) that used to be my staple together with Velvia.

Sorry, no scans, i can't seem to find the sheet, stuffed it away in one of those 'logical places', silly me. My scanner wouldn't tell you much even if i found the film.

Anyhow, I can really recommend Precisa. We should all be very happy to have it around (talking EU here). Pity that stocking slide film doesn't work as well as with b&w.

sander

 

[oftheherd]

Hi,

If you use FP4+ (and probably any old fashioned B&W film) you can develop it as B&W slides. The info's on their website, well, it was the last time I looked. I just wish you could still get Agfa B&W Dia Direct.

Regards, David

Not sure that is what the OP was looking for, but you are right. Photographer's Formulary (which Freestyle also sells) has the chemicals at a reasonable cost. My son-in-law and I will probably be shooting and developing some Thanksgiving as neither of us have tried it but always wanted to. It is a development process something like Kodachrome (and the old E3, or at least one of the early Ectachromes as I recall) in that it has to be exposed to light at one point and developed again.

 

[bigeye]

Have a fridge full of my favorite, E100G in 35mm, 120 and 4x5.

.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Many thanks to all of you for your contributions/advice and wonderful shots! Coming week I'll have a look at the shops in The Hague at what they might have to offer. If nothing then probably best is to acquire some film by internet. I'll let know on this thread how things work out.

 

[Steve_F]

Velvia 100F. It's in the middle of Provia and Velvia 100. It has a slightly less color saturation and more exposure latitude than Velvia 100. But, more saturated than Provia. Very happy with it since losing the Kodak E100G and GX.


Retired Fire Truck by eyepenn, on Flickr

I'm still mourning the loss of E100G. With my Leica lenses it came alive. I used it with my Nikon lenses and thought it was great, but that was nothing.
Convinced Kodak developed it with Leica...


Steve.