With all the emphasis on digital I sometimes think that film is now the second class citizen of photography. I very seldom see artcles about film anymore. I have pretty much always shot Velvia 50 and kodak film ( 100) for all my slides. I am traveling to Alaska this summer and was wondering what you folks out here think are the pros & cons of Provia 100 versus Velvia 100. I have heard that Provia 400 x is an option also for some action shoots ( Bears) but the idea of shooting 400 for my nature slides is a little scary , I have ordered some ( Adorama is out right now) and I will test it in Baxter State park in Maine before I go. I love this site and respect the work of some I have seen out here so I am interested in your opinions.
Thank you
Jim Brandano
Both Provia 100F and Velvia 100 (I don't like Velvia 100F as much) are great films. Digital shooters need to work hard to match Fujifilm's colors. I'd take just the Velvia, not bother with any 400-speed film. Velvia 100 shoots well at 125 (normal processing), 250 (pushed one stop), and 400 (pushed two stops). I've only gone to 400 during rain and other really dark conditions. You should be able to shoot bears most of the time at 250 or less.
This shouldn't be a surprise really. Media coverage is proportionate to popularity and general interest and film is definitely on the decline there.
Your choice of film should be driven by what you ultimately plan to do with the image. If your images will be scanned and processed, printed or presented digitally, I would suggest going with a less-saturated film that will give you a wider gamut (consider Astia 100F as well). On the other hand if you want your chromes to have some "pop" to impress editors on the light table, Velvia might make more sense, though you may be sacrificing shadow and highlight detail.
Provia 100F is one of my favorite films and in my opinion strikes a great balance between high saturation, excellent resolution, and exposure flexibility. If needed you can rate it at ISO 200 or even 400 and push-process with good results. Just be aware it is very sensitive to blue and UV and may require a warming filter when used in open shade.
I agree about the Provia 100F. Very, very versatile and I have often pushed it to ISO 400 with good results. You are very likely to need ISO 400 most of the time in Alaska. Be aware that most processors charge a buck or two for push processing. Make SURE you mark the pushed rolls with the speed on the can using a permanent marker. Do it immediately after taking the film out of the camera. Otherwise, you'll have rolls of film you are guessing what speed you shot it at. Consider only shooting at ISO 100 and ISO 400 to simplify things. Keep in mind that pushing film increases contrast. This is a good thing on overcast days but not so good in the middle of a sunny day. (If you get any. )
I'd agree with Guy and Kent. Since Provia 100F came out I use it almost exclusively as my high speed film. I shoot it at 200 regularly and have it push processed a stop. It works great.
I don't know that film is the second class citizen, but it's definitely not the buzz these days. The film issues worth discussing are far fewer in number - and far less 'sexy' - than those issues relating to the rapid evolution of digital. But as an LF shooter, I still enjoy shooting film, still read up on it and enjoy experimenting.
I don't have any experience shooting with Velvia 100, but I've been shooting Provia 100F almost exclusively for the last 6 or 7 years. It's the most pleasing and easiest to work with of the Fuji films I've tried and is by far my favorite. I love the look of Velvia 50 on the light table, but hate having to scan it because of it's high contrast. If you like the results that Velvia gives you, I think you'll like the Provia - slightly less saturated than Velvia and a touch less warm in the reds and yellows; very easy to adjust in PS to get the look of Velvia without the drawbacks. I've pushed Provia two stops with excellent results so it would give you that option for wildlife without compromising your landscapes.
I have always liked the Provia 100F better than the Velvia, I personally liked the colors better, also Provia 100F has the smallest grain of any of them and it made a difference when scanning IMO.
Actually, according to Fuji, Provia 100F and Velvia RVP100 have the same ultra-fine grain (RMS 8). Both have less grain than the original Velvia (RMS 9).
The previous posters know a lot more about film choices than I do. However I do know that if you are going to Katmai for bear the weather is often overcast and rain is probable. So, 400 ISO is going to be needed for decent shutter speeds.
Several years ago I shot some Provia 400. At first, I was disappointed with too much grain. However, when I used it in a low light situation of an indoor horse arena, I was pleasantly surprised. It seemed as though shooting it under low light conditions improved its grain.
If you are going to be in low light conditions, then use the Provia 400. But, it you are going to be in good light, I think it will have too much grain and you should use a slower film
We used to shoot a lot of Provia 100F and it is good though not as saturated as the old Velvia. We've tried Velvia 100F, but I personally do not think it is as saturated to the original Velvia. One of these days we need to invest in some Velvia 100 and have a shoot off.
Posted by Pat Warfield on May 15, 2007 at 11:30 AM
If this is a trip of a lifetime, I would take a small variety of film - test each type in bright to overcast conditions, before you go. You need to personally 'know' the results of each film type - also get to know everything about any new cameras or lenses. Be able to shoot instinctively. Label some prints from your tests & take along for reference. If it were me, I would find a used digital body & 1 totally manual film camera to take along for backup. This way each shooting situation would be covered.
Discussion
10 repliesThank you
Jim Brandano
This shouldn't be a surprise really. Media coverage is proportionate to popularity and general interest and film is definitely on the decline there.
Your choice of film should be driven by what you ultimately plan to do with the image. If your images will be scanned and processed, printed or presented digitally, I would suggest going with a less-saturated film that will give you a wider gamut (consider Astia 100F as well). On the other hand if you want your chromes to have some "pop" to impress editors on the light table, Velvia might make more sense, though you may be sacrificing shadow and highlight detail.
Provia 100F is one of my favorite films and in my opinion strikes a great balance between high saturation, excellent resolution, and exposure flexibility. If needed you can rate it at ISO 200 or even 400 and push-process with good results. Just be aware it is very sensitive to blue and UV and may require a warming filter when used in open shade.
Guy
Kent in SD
I don't have any experience shooting with Velvia 100, but I've been shooting Provia 100F almost exclusively for the last 6 or 7 years. It's the most pleasing and easiest to work with of the Fuji films I've tried and is by far my favorite. I love the look of Velvia 50 on the light table, but hate having to scan it because of it's high contrast. If you like the results that Velvia gives you, I think you'll like the Provia - slightly less saturated than Velvia and a touch less warm in the reds and yellows; very easy to adjust in PS to get the look of Velvia without the drawbacks. I've pushed Provia two stops with excellent results so it would give you that option for wildlife without compromising your landscapes.
If you are going to be in low light conditions, then use the Provia 400. But, it you are going to be in good light, I think it will have too much grain and you should use a slower film
We used to shoot a lot of Provia 100F and it is good though not as saturated as the old Velvia. We've tried Velvia 100F, but I personally do not think it is as saturated to the original Velvia. One of these days we need to invest in some Velvia 100 and have a shoot off.
Pat Warfield