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Using Porta NV


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I'm going to a family wedding in a couple of weeks where I have been

asked to backup/supplement a professional photographer. I'll probably

just take some casuals and try to stay of the photographers way.

 

I usually shoot slide film so I went out and bought some fresh Portra

NC (2 rolls of 160 and a few of 400). From what I understand, this is

one of the more popular choices for weddings.

 

I know that the ceremony will be outside along the beach a few hours

before sunset so I plan on using the 160 maybe with fill flash from my

Nikon Sb28 (probably a flash setting of -1 EV). The reception is

indoors, I don't know much more but that's why I have the 400 and the

flash.

 

Can anybody give some guidelines on how to get good results with

Portra NV? As I said, I don't really shoot much C-41. I've seen some

suggestions to rate the 400 speed film to 320 to overexpose the film

for safety. Others have suggested tht Portra is dead on and has very

little latitude. Any advice about exposure adjustments and flash

adjustments would be helpful. I would also appreciate any advice on

key filters. I realize that this is a very subjective and personal

thing but I just one to get a general idea.

 

I image that I will probably be using the matrix metering on my N70 in

aperture priority mode unless the lighting suggests otherwise.

Unfortunatly I won't have much opportunity to experiment before the event.

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Portra NC is best shot at it's rated ISO (IMHO) and I shoot it this way. The one thing I would not recommend is any under-exposure more than a half stop. Too flat for my taste. You can over-expose by about three stops and get a fair print, but avoid going this far. One stop can increase contrast a little and this is generally acceptable. I usually use a handheld meter, mostly because I was using Medium Format cameras. I prefer this to a camera's built in meter in general anyway. I like incident readings over reflective readings. Easier to me, and more accurate since I don't have to take the time to compensate for the reading being off something that is other than 18% reflectance. That's just me! No offense to those who use reflective metering!

 

As to filters, the only filters I ever use at a wedding are some diffusers in different grades such as Tiffen Soft F/X grades 1 and 2. I stack the 1 and 2 for more effect, but for me not very often. I like subtle more than "hit you in the face" effects. The only other filters I use are a four point star filter for shots with candles and a center spot for doing still life shots of the invitation. I only use them when I feel a need to. I pretty much just like a clean crisp image most of the time. If you are wondering about color correction filters for ambient light stuff, don't bother. I found WELL exposed images on this film can be corrected quite well without getting the blue black syndrome. At least I haven't had a problem. (I am a lab guy, so I pretty much can account for my own printing. I won't say about other's preferences or results.)

 

Hope this is helpful and not viewed as a know it all type response. I just want to help.

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