Posted by Jim Brandano on June 9, 2007 at 10:21 AM
I will be spending two weeks in Alaska , I have usually shot Velvia 50 and Kodok 100's for years. I have been told that Provia 100 might be better for shooting becuase of the shadows and a more natural color. Any ideas on shooting velvia 100 or provia 100 or is it all a matter of choice. I am shooting Provia 400 X based on all I have read about it. Thanks in advance for any help.
Posted by Kent Staubus on June 9, 2007 at 10:29 AM
The Provia will have better skin tones if you'll have people in your shots. The Velvia 100 isn't bad though. Since you can boost saturation in Photoshop anyway, I'd pick Provia because it's a little more flexible. I routinely used it at ISO 200. (One stop push.)
Velvia can produce some striking results but it always comes with the risk of losing important highlight or shadow detail. I used to love Velvia for the look as I picked up my film from the lab but ever since I started scanning and printing my own work I gradually stopped using it. Provia is in my opinion a much better film all around, though be aware it is very sensitive to blue and UV so a slight warming filter (81a) is a good idea in many situations.
Astia is another great film with excellent exposure latitude, though personally I don't like its warm'ish muddy palette.
I am heading up to AK myself as of the 27th of June. In addition to my D70 I will bring my N80 and plan to shoot Provia 400x and Sensia 400 for wildlife and use Velvia 100 for landscapes.
Maybe I will bump into you!!
Posted by Lon Overacker on June 10, 2007 at 12:40 AM
Jim,
Go with what your comfortable with! Going on a trip to AK is not the time to be bringing along a new film. I took a trip to AK (Denali and Katmai) a few years back (14) and had nothing but Velvia. I actually pushed Velvia to 125 for wildlife (bears) and had it push-processed with good results.
You're likely to experience summer weather (rain) and/or cloud cover at least some of the time and you might not need to worry about the contrasty situations that Velvia suffers in.
Personally, I would rather use the 100 speed films, perhaps push them to 200, than use the 400speed films. but then that also depends entirely on what you want to come home with.
But again, don't take a new film unless you spend time shooting a number of rolls before you go.
Discussion
4 repliesKent in SD
Astia is another great film with excellent exposure latitude, though personally I don't like its warm'ish muddy palette.
Guy
Maybe I will bump into you!!
Go with what your comfortable with! Going on a trip to AK is not the time to be bringing along a new film. I took a trip to AK (Denali and Katmai) a few years back (14) and had nothing but Velvia. I actually pushed Velvia to 125 for wildlife (bears) and had it push-processed with good results.
You're likely to experience summer weather (rain) and/or cloud cover at least some of the time and you might not need to worry about the contrasty situations that Velvia suffers in.
Personally, I would rather use the 100 speed films, perhaps push them to 200, than use the 400speed films. but then that also depends entirely on what you want to come home with.
But again, don't take a new film unless you spend time shooting a number of rolls before you go.
Lon