Film Choices For Underwater Use

O.k. I've done some scanning in the archives, and it generally

appears as if it's recommended that color print film be used for

underwater use, and that slide film be firmly avoided.

 

Even if that isn't necissarily correct, are there any recommendations

for both color slide and print film for underwater use? The camera

that will be taking the pictures is the Nikon Action Touch L35-AW.

The subject matter will be the underwater springs in Florida, which

are predominantly blue in color. Thanks for anyone who can help.

First of all, I also preferred slide film for underwater, usually Velvia. Like anything else, slide vs. film v. digital is a matter of personal preference. I beleive the argument for print film is the exposure latitude, and that you are more likely to get a good print. I also liked Kodak Ektrachrome for a 100 speed film, before Velvia 100 (tried on land, not yet underwater.) I would suggest the most saturated film, and one with a little magenta cast to counter the blue of the water. Kodak has a process for underwater negative development and printing which is quite good, but is a send away process only. It relies on digital printing technology. There is also a PS action, if youare going to scan and digitally print yourself, which is very good, but I am not sure where I got it. It was free, so I assume that I could send it to you. Hope this is helpful.

I have used both but I prefered print so thatI could correct the color shift in the dark room. This was prescanner days so I see no problem using slide if you are using photoshop

Underwater Ektachrome, made by you know who.

Hans, didn't Kodak discontinue Underwater Ektachrome a couple years ago? From

what I know, Kodak doesn't make it anymore.

 

My advice is to use a good color print film that has high color saturation and

excellent blues. Dale Labs also offers "Kodak Sea Processing" for color print film that's

optimized for underwater pictures.

What Hans no underwater Kodachrome 64 rated at 3200 developed in k-14 x32? :

 

: }-

"...generally appears as if it's recommended that color print film

be used for underwater use, and that slide film be firmly avoided.

"

 

I don't know where you got that idea; people use slide film all the

time. Your choice should be based on your own personal tastes

and delivery requirements. I use Fujichrome for almost

everything; Provia 100 for wide-angle, and Velvia for macro.

Forget about Kodak's "underwater" film; they don't make it

anymore, and it caused more problems than it solved anyway.

 

Kodak's "Sea Processing" isn't much more than an advertising

gimmick, IMHO. The concept isn't anything new, they're just

doing color correction during printing to try to overcome any blue

shift. ALL u/w photographs will have a blue cast unless fill flash

is used properly. If you're using PS you can make the

adjustments yourself.

 

I don't wanna rain on your parade, but I think you'll find your

biggest problem will be the camera and not your film choice. In

general, P&S cameras don't perform that well underwater, for a

number of reasons. I wrote an article for PN on the subject; if

you're interested you can find it <a

href="http://www.photo.net/learn/underwater/uw2/general.html"

>here</a>. Cheers...

Thanks Andre. I largely got away from print film & I am mostly using slide these days. I thought about selecting some print film and I think I want to go ahead with the Kodak VC 400 or 160. 400 is probably what I will choose. Making this decision hasn't been easy & I might end up shooting some velvia instead.

 

If I used 400 speed VC and the pictures look bad, then I am probably limited by my equipment and/or dive depth. If I can only get 10 feet down underwater, so be it. I will be sure to post my results on here when I get back which should be early April.