Anyone shooting reversal film exclusively?

6BQ5 · 08-14-2014, 12:52 PM

In the spirit of MD Optofonik's thread about shooting film, I wanted to ask my fellow Pentaxians if there are any of you who shoot exclusively and only on reversal film. I have been camera scanning my in-law's collection of slides and I'm blown away at the quality of the colors, the contrast, and the general presentation. The idea has always enchanted me but the higher costs and the lack of local developer have always scared me off. I'm slowly overcoming that psychological inertia. Once I work through my stash of film I am seriously considering loading up on Velvia and Provia.

Giklab · 08-14-2014, 01:47 PM

I read the title and thought you were asking about the Reversal Film Simulation mode...

[shows age]

6BQ5 · 08-14-2014, 02:06 PM

Or, maybe it shows my age!!

Not a Number · 08-14-2014, 04:17 PM

I never shot slides exclusively, but it was my preferred medium. It was hard to beat the vibrant warm colors and contrast of Kodachrome. Prints never had the same vibrancy although the gloss Cibachrome material came close.

E-6 processing at home isn't all that much more difficult than C-41 - just 2 or 3 more steps.

OregonJim · 08-14-2014, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

I never shot slides exclusively, but it was my preferred medium. It was hard to beat the vibrant warm colors and contrast of Kodachrome. Prints never had the same vibrancy although the gloss Cibachrome material came close.

E-6 processing at home isn't all that much more difficult than C-41 - just 2 or 3 more steps.

100% in agreement. I would only add that Fuji's reversal films were my favorites for outdoor, non-people shots due to the vibrant greens and blues.

skierd · 08-14-2014, 04:27 PM

Exclusively? No, but when i shoot film I definitely prefer slides. What makes them unique, at least for me, is they're a finished product whereas negatives or digital captures invite editing.

Not a Number · 08-14-2014, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by OregonJim

100% in agreement. I would only add that Fuji's reversal films were my favorites for outdoor, non-people shots due to the vibrant greens and blues.

They all had their own strengths - Koadchrome for sunny outdoor people shots, Agfa for its reds, Fuji for their greens. Then there was the bluish cast of Ektachrome.

Ahh, memories.

6BQ5 · 08-14-2014, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

They all had their own strengths - Koadchrome for sunny outdoor people shots, Agfa for its reds, Fuji for their greens. Then there was the bluish cast of Ektachrome.

Ahh, memories.

That's the joy of films. Each has their own tonal accentuation. Popping in a new roll is like getting a whole new camera all over again!

I was thinking of loading a Spotmatic F with Velvia for the saturated nature/outdoor shots and my ZX-60 with Provia for "daily life" adventures and walk-around shots. My Bronica ETRS would also get Provia and that would be my portrait camera. I only have a 75mm prime for my Bronica so I am a little more limited there.

I have been looking into Agfa Precisa but it sounds like that is just re-branded Fuji Provia. Is that right?

**ChrisPlatt** · 08-14-2014, 07:03 PM

When I started in 35mm photography slide films were much better than color negative films.
For thirty five years nearly all of my color photography was done on slide film.

Today's color negative films are greatly improved, and slide film selection is greatly diminished.
Fortunately the films left are very good. Far fewer labs process E-6 film now.

After Sandy I bought a real nice Elmo slide projector to replace the Carousel I lost.
But my new Pakon scanner can't handle mounted slides, so I'm kind of at a crossroads...

Chris

LesDMess · 08-14-2014, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by 6BQ5

I have been looking into Agfa Precisa but it sounds like that is just re-branded Fuji Provia. Is that right?

If that is true then I will have to buy a brick or two as Fuji Provia is outstanding!

---------- Post added 08-14-14 at 10:27 PM ----------

Originally posted by 6BQ5

Once I work through my stash of film I am seriously considering loading up on Velvia and Provia.

Do not wait as you owe it to yourself to be able to say you captured that image on slide.

Jonathan Mac · 08-15-2014, 12:41 AM

I've shot one roll of Velvia in my 645, and I have another plus a 135 in the fridge. The shot roll has been there, undeveloped, for around 10 months, because it's so hard to find a place to develop them. The rolls I have I got cheap or free because they were slightly expired, otherwise a roll of Velvia in 135 costs around €15.

Shooting slide film at all is a challenge, and shooting it exclusively would be an extremely expensive challenge

stevebrot · 08-15-2014, 12:42 PM

I shot slide film (K64 and Fujichrome) exclusively for color for many years and sort of retired my film cameras when I first went to digital. It was the release of Ektar 100 that got me back into film and a figital work flow. Given the quality of current C41 print films and the expense of working with reversal films, slides don't make much sense anymore. Come to think of it, given the current quality of digital output, small format color film work does not really make sense anymore.

Steve

**gofour3** · 08-16-2014, 05:52 PM

For colour film I pretty well shoot 100% slides, both in 35mm & 120.

For b&w 120 I shoot 100% negatives for 35mm b&w I shoot either slides (Fomapan R100) or negatives that are processed as slides.

I shoot 120 around town and 35mm on my travels, so I only want slides on my trips. (I still do slide shows and torture my family)

Phil

**fs999** · 08-21-2014, 12:13 AM

Until 2011 I shoot exclusively slides (Agfachrome and Fuji Velvia or Astia), but since I've tried Portra 400, I use this film from time to time.

bibz · 08-21-2014, 06:43 AM

Last night I developed two rolls. Velvia 100 and Provia. The dramatic differences of the two are incredible. And theres still nothing in photography that can replicate seeing an image on the light box. The colours, depth, sharpness, rendering, whatever words you can use all come together to produce the ultimate in satisfaction!

08-14-2014, 12:52 PM	#1
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Anyone shooting reversal film exclusively? In the spirit of MD Optofonik's thread about shooting film, I wanted to ask my fellow Pentaxians if there are any of you who shoot exclusively and only on reversal film. I have been camera scanning my in-law's collection of slides and I'm blown away at the quality of the colors, the contrast, and the general presentation. The idea has always enchanted me but the higher costs and the lack of local developer have always scared me off. I'm slowly overcoming that psychological inertia. Once I work through my stash of film I am seriously considering loading up on Velvia and Provia.

08-14-2014, 07:03 PM	#9
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	When I started in 35mm photography slide films were much better than color negative films. For thirty five years nearly all of my color photography was done on slide film. Today's color negative films are greatly improved, and slide film selection is greatly diminished. Fortunately the films left are very good. Far fewer labs process E-6 film now. After Sandy I bought a real nice Elmo slide projector to replace the Carousel I lost. But my new Pakon scanner can't handle mounted slides, so I'm kind of at a crossroads... Chris Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 08-17-2014 at 05:22 AM.

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08-14-2014, 01:47 PM	#2
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	I read the title and thought you were asking about the Reversal Film Simulation mode... [shows age]

08-14-2014, 02:06 PM	#3
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348 Original Poster	Or, maybe it shows my age!!

08-14-2014, 04:17 PM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	I never shot slides exclusively, but it was my preferred medium. It was hard to beat the vibrant warm colors and contrast of Kodachrome. Prints never had the same vibrancy although the gloss Cibachrome material came close. E-6 processing at home isn't all that much more difficult than C-41 - just 2 or 3 more steps.

08-14-2014, 04:26 PM	#5
OregonJim Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 1,327	Originally posted by Not a Number I never shot slides exclusively, but it was my preferred medium. It was hard to beat the vibrant warm colors and contrast of Kodachrome. Prints never had the same vibrancy although the gloss Cibachrome material came close. E-6 processing at home isn't all that much more difficult than C-41 - just 2 or 3 more steps. 100% in agreement. I would only add that Fuji's reversal films were my favorites for outdoor, non-people shots due to the vibrant greens and blues.

08-14-2014, 04:27 PM	#6
skierd Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fairbanks, AK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,472	Exclusively? No, but when i shoot film I definitely prefer slides. What makes them unique, at least for me, is they're a finished product whereas negatives or digital captures invite editing.

08-14-2014, 04:55 PM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by OregonJim 100% in agreement. I would only add that Fuji's reversal films were my favorites for outdoor, non-people shots due to the vibrant greens and blues. They all had their own strengths - Koadchrome for sunny outdoor people shots, Agfa for its reds, Fuji for their greens. Then there was the bluish cast of Ektachrome. Ahh, memories.

08-14-2014, 05:13 PM	#8
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number They all had their own strengths - Koadchrome for sunny outdoor people shots, Agfa for its reds, Fuji for their greens. Then there was the bluish cast of Ektachrome. Ahh, memories. That's the joy of films. Each has their own tonal accentuation. Popping in a new roll is like getting a whole new camera all over again! I was thinking of loading a Spotmatic F with Velvia for the saturated nature/outdoor shots and my ZX-60 with Provia for "daily life" adventures and walk-around shots. My Bronica ETRS would also get Provia and that would be my portrait camera. I only have a 75mm prime for my Bronica so I am a little more limited there. I have been looking into Agfa Precisa but it sounds like that is just re-branded Fuji Provia. Is that right?

08-14-2014, 07:20 PM	#10
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by 6BQ5 I have been looking into Agfa Precisa but it sounds like that is just re-branded Fuji Provia. Is that right? If that is true then I will have to buy a brick or two as Fuji Provia is outstanding! ---------- Post added 08-14-14 at 10:27 PM ---------- Originally posted by 6BQ5 Once I work through my stash of film I am seriously considering loading up on Velvia and Provia. Do not wait as you owe it to yourself to be able to say you captured that image on slide.

08-15-2014, 12:41 AM	#11
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	I've shot one roll of Velvia in my 645, and I have another plus a 135 in the fridge. The shot roll has been there, undeveloped, for around 10 months, because it's so hard to find a place to develop them. The rolls I have I got cheap or free because they were slightly expired, otherwise a roll of Velvia in 135 costs around €15. Shooting slide film at all is a challenge, and shooting it exclusively would be an extremely expensive challenge

08-15-2014, 12:42 PM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I shot slide film (K64 and Fujichrome) exclusively for color for many years and sort of retired my film cameras when I first went to digital. It was the release of Ektar 100 that got me back into film and a figital work flow. Given the quality of current C41 print films and the expense of working with reversal films, slides don't make much sense anymore. Come to think of it, given the current quality of digital output, small format color film work does not really make sense anymore. Steve

08-16-2014, 05:52 PM	#13
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	For colour film I pretty well shoot 100% slides, both in 35mm & 120. For b&w 120 I shoot 100% negatives for 35mm b&w I shoot either slides (Fomapan R100) or negatives that are processed as slides. I shoot 120 around town and 35mm on my travels, so I only want slides on my trips. (I still do slide shows and torture my family) Phil

08-21-2014, 12:13 AM	#14
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,639	Until 2011 I shoot exclusively slides (Agfachrome and Fuji Velvia or Astia), but since I've tried Portra 400, I use this film from time to time.

08-21-2014, 06:43 AM	#15
bibz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Newcastle, AU! Posts: 276	Last night I developed two rolls. Velvia 100 and Provia. The dramatic differences of the two are incredible. And theres still nothing in photography that can replicate seeing an image on the light box. The colours, depth, sharpness, rendering, whatever words you can use all come together to produce the ultimate in satisfaction!