Films...

Would anyone care to elaborate a little bit about what kind of films is best for nature photography? What are the benefits and trade offs? This could be an interesting article for photo.net don't you think?

L.

I carry three different films.

<ul>

<li>Velvia for when I want saturated colors, high sharpness and when thelight is good enough for ISO 50 (or 40) speed.

<li>Fujichrome Sensia 100. A perfectly fine, sharp film, cheaper than

Ektachome and just as good (in my opinion).

<li>Kodachrome 200 for when the light gets low or I actually want

a slightly "grainy" look.

</ul>

If I want to I can push Sensia 100 to 200 or 400, or I can push

Kodachrome to 500. That about covers everything I'm ever likely

to (reasonably) want. If I need a faster film, I'll consider

using Fuji 800 print film, which gives better images than any

ISO 800 slide film or any slide film pushed to ISO 800.

The films Bob mentioned are outstanding. There are two more emulsions I'd like to add to that list. The new Ektachrome E100S and E100SW are both excellent. Of the two, the SW seems a little better for nature shots because of its warmer bias. However, on the few Photo-CD scans I've had done with these films, the E100S seemed to fare better. Remember, however, that this observation comes from a very small sample. The E100SW might scan fine for other shots. <p>

 

Ektachrome Elite II 100 is the consumer version of these films. The color balance seems somewhere between E100S and E100SW. <p>

 

Kodak Ektapress Multi-speed is also promising for times when you need something faster than EI-500. This can be shot up to EI-1000 and I've gotten some decent results at EI-1250 and EI-1600. I've only shot a couple rolls of this stuff, but so far it seems very good.

Now, I only carry E100SW. If I need faster film, I push it a stop. I found that inventorying a variety of films is problematic for me: I never have enough of what I need, and too much of something else. With one stock, I can just reach in the bag and load the camera.

How about a different perspective. Try Kodak T-Max 100 for both your 4x5 & 5x7 shooting. With the long exposures in the magic light when the sun is below the horizon and you have the all encompassing light that is soft & even, it can't be beat. With the exposure times running into the 2-10 minute range, it is faster than any 400 speed film on the market due to its reciprocity characteristics.

When you combine that with its great ability to be manipulated during processing, its ability to capture the shadow detail and it sharpness you have a very good film for that natural scene. No matter the old Tri-x, this film has enhanced the abilities of the view camera due to its quality and ability to interpret the low light scenes.

It does need someone with the ability to visialize. A shooter with vision and talent. But if you get the pair together, you have a combination that is excellent. Look at John Sexton and you get the idea.

So, in trying B&W, give this film a go.

First choice for most stuff - Kodachrome 25 although it often happens

that I need fast development these days, then I use: E100S/SW.

For drab subjects and/or light - first choice Velvia (Never in great

light!) I hate the way Velvia and clones look with beautiful light.

For B&W - T-Max 100, shot at ISO 50 to get it into the center of its

exposure latitude range. I have used Agfa 25 B&W and it was OK, too.

END OF LIST. No 200 films, no 400 films, I rarely push e-6 or B&W

films.

Recently I picked out maybe 100 or so of what I considered to be

my "best" slides. These were picked from a total of several thousand

slides. When I shoot, I'd say I maybe use 80% ISO 100 film (Sensia

100 these days), 10% Kodachrome 200 and 10% slower film (mostly

Velvia, with a couple of rolls of K25 or K64 thrown in).

 

<p>

 

After chosing the slides I noticed that way more than

10 % of the final cut were taken on Kodachrome (mostly K200,

but some K64). I didn't do an actual count, but probably at

least 30 out of the 100 were on Kodachrome (mostly K200). I

guess I must really like Kodachrome, or I tend to use it under

conditions that give me better images (not in bright sunlight,

in fact often in the rain!). I was suprised. I guess I should

shoot more K200!

All is very interesting. I use all the same films

Many regards

B. Fuhrmann

Please look the homepage: http://www.gdt.rhein-zeitung.de !!!!

I too use Sensia RD100 on a regular basis; its highly saturated, very tight grain and FAR cheaper than its professional siblings. Have also recently used a few rolls of Ektachrome 100SW; was very impressed with what I saw, AND it pushes slightly better than Sensia (but at more than twice the price).