Questions about film

I am new to medium format photography and I recently purchased a

Hasselblad 501CM primarily for landscape/nature shots, but am now

interested in trying some portraits. I would like to know what

films others would recommend for both. So far I've been using a

lower grade Fuji 100 for practice and am not really happy with the

color saturation - but these were just test shots. Being that it's

that brown/dirty season in between snow and spring and the clouds

have been extremely heavy and gray, decent photo ops have been

pretty minimal.

 

I'm looking for film recommendations on both color and B&W film for

both portraits and nature shots. Thanks for your suggestions!

I use Fuji 100 Real and Superia for color nature work. I over expose them about 1 stop, I like the color better.

 

For portraits I use 160 Portra nc, vc or 400 Portra uc. Again I like the color better at +1 exposure.

 

For B&W I have been using the 400 B&W Portra for portraits.

I'll second the Portra 160NC and 400Nc recomendations for color portraits I use these for weddings and really like them. For B&W you might also try Ilford XP-2 rated at 200 ASA if being printed and 250-320 ASA if being scanned. This will provide you with a nice dense negitive with lots of shadow detail (improtant in B&W portraits) This is a C-41 color process B&W film. Be sure to have it printed on B&W paper as printing on colr paper can have a greenish cast.

So far the Agfa Optima 160 Portrait (now discontinued I believe) and the Agfa Optima II Prestige 100 have given me very nice colours for portraits. Of course only in combination with a good lab. I have used the Agfa Optima II Prestige 100 also for nature shots, the results were fine.

 

Ulrik

<p>Good color films for portraits: <br>

Fuji Astia<br>

Fuji NPH<br>

Kodak Portra 400NC<br>

Kodak Portra 160NC<br><br>

 

Good B&W films for portraits:<br>

Fuji Neopan 400<br>

Ilford HP5<br>

Ilford FP4<br>

Ilford Delta 100 and 400<br>

Ilford XP2<br>

Kodak Tri-X<br>

Kodak Tmax 100 or 400<br>

Agfapan 100 or 400<br><br>

 

Good color films for nature:<br>

Fuji Velvia<br>

Fuji Velvia 100F<br>

Fuji Provia 100F<br>

Kodak Porta 400UC

<br><br>

Good B&W films for nature:<br>

Fuji Acros 100<br>

Fuji Neopan 400<br>

Ilford HP5<br>

Ilford Delta 100 and 400<br>

Ilford XP2<br>

Kodak Tmax 100 and 400<br>

Kodak Tri-X<br>

Agfapan 100 or 400<br><br>

 

I've used practically all of these, although I like some more than others, depending on the circumstance. Of course opinions may vary but they are all very good quality films and you really cannot go wrong with any. And of course I've missed some very good films that others might mention. What YOU want in your results will dictate which please YOU most.<br><br>

Wow!! Thanks for the quick responses....but I do have one (probably stupid) question. This goes back to being the beginner. Do they make Velvia film for 120MM? I love Velvia for 35mm nature work...

 

Thanks again for your responses!

<I>"Do they make Velvia film for 120MM?"</I><P>Yes, they do. Consider Velvia 100F. Not the same level of almost over the top saturation as standard Velvia 50 but more subtle handling of contrast which makes for better detail in shadows and highlights. Also consider the Kodak 400UC. If you can find a place to print it well it has very nice color and very good exposure latitude, not to mention the increased speed. Scans nicely too.

It's not 120MM, it's 120 size film which is about 62mm across.

 

I just got back a roll of Velvia (50) 220 shot with my C220. Nice landscape stuff.

 

tim in san jose

For landscape I use Portra 160VC. For parties/weddings et al with flash I use Portra 400NC. Haven't found the need for any other C41 film since trying those.

My bias at this time is towards slide film, as I purchased my Hasselblad kit for

astrophotography, and the only decent color emulsion for the 656nm Hydrogen Alpha

emmission line left is Kodak Ektachrome E200. Most of the good color print emulsions (for

astrophotography) have been discontinued.

 

I use Fuji Velvia 50 for landscapes, and Fuji Provia 400F for cityscapes, or when I need

more film speed, as my basic color reversal (slide) films, and sometimes a roll of Kodak

Ektachrome E200.

 

When I am unconcerned about grain in BW, I use Fuji Neopan 400. For critical subjects

demanding nearly grainless high resolution, I use Kodak Tech Pan.

 

Taras

For all color REALA 120 (At B&H $2.09) Expose 80 STUDIO 64.

If you have a lot of money for prints velvia 100.

B&W XP2.

Use one film of color and one film of B&W (learn) and stick with it for a while!

Both NEG. films VERY FORGIVING. In my openion REALA best all around

film on the market.

And don't forget the NEW Kodak 100UC, Yep they brought out a 100 speed Ultra Color.

Edward, she wants film <i>recommedations</i>. Have you tried the new Ultra 100? I have not but plan to soon. The jury seems still to be out but the two posts about it on photo.net I've seen had people who had tried it very much less than thrilled. It seems it's no 400UC, anyway.