BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Questions

Slide film vs. print film

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May 21, 2001

You didn't state whether you've used "chromes" before or not. If you are not experienced with slide films, now is probably not the time to start with them unless you have time to shoot some and have it processed to see how you like it before you leave.

Yes, they are more expensive to print, but they can render beautiful ones. Printed "chromes" have a different look than color negatives. I don't think you will get anything with finer grain out of slides. The apparent "sharpness" from some slide films is more related to narrower latitude (higher contrast), and possibly "acuity" when viewed or printed, rather than sheer resolution from fine grain. Most color negative films with the same film speed will have just as fine a grain (Kodak Royal Gold 100 and Fujicolor Reala 100).

Slide films require more exacting exposure . . . they have less "latitude" than negatives do. 1/3 to 1/2 stop off in exposure can be readily detected.

If you really want to use slide films, here are some observations about several (not in any order of preference):

1. Kodachrome 64
Good contrast, accurate color rendition, moderate saturation, and highest "sharpness" of any slide film I've used except Kodachrome 25. Excellent with skin tones. Has a unique "look" to it and requires slightly more exposure accuracy than most other slide films. At 2/3 stop slower than ISO 100, its slower speed requires faster lenses or slower shutter speeds.

2. Fuji Provia 100F (RDP III)
A professional film it has good contrast, accurate color, moderate saturation, and is finest grained slide film. However, IMO it's second to Kodachrome 64 in "sharpness." There are technical reasons about the differences in emulsions between Kodachrome and all other slide films that cause this effect. Excellent with skin tones.

3. Fuji Velvia 50
Also a pro film (in the U.S.), it's 1/3 stop slower than K64 and a full stop slower than Provia. Very highly saturated and noted in particular for gradation of color in green foliage. NOT recommended for photographs of people, though, due to its high saturation which doesn't render skin tones well. Some shoot this at EI 40 versus its rated ISO 50. Its slow speed requires faster lenses or slower shutter speeds.

BTW, you can leave pro films unrefrigerated for upward of several weeks without any noticeable degradation or shift in color response. Refrigerating it for storage of a month or more keeps it at its peak performance with high consistency between rolls.

-- John

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May 21, 2001

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May 21, 2001