BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Camera Film

Sajeev Chacko		Professional Vs Consumer Slides films Last time I asked a similar questions on Slides Vs Negative and got the answer that I should shoot negative. Thats because I doesn't shoot frequently and prefered to get all my photos printed. But this is different question. After reading more articles on Slides Vs Negative, I finally decided to go for slides and when needed i.e. when I wants to take snapshots or print most of the photos, I will go for negatives. Thats because slide has better color correction, shows exactly what you captured on it and is a great learning tool. Now my question is whats the difference between a professional and consumer slide films. "Many professional films require refrigeration to keep the emulsion fresh. Consumer films and some pro films do not require refrigeration. You can refrigerate these films when they reach their expiration date to help prolong their freshness. Freezing film can be done for films that are out of date and need to be stored for an extended period of time. If you do freeze film, put it in the refrigerator several days before you will need it, then remove it from the refrigerator the day before you're going to shoot. This will ensure the emulsion does not thaw too rapidly and damage the surface. If you shoot your film before it expires, you do not need to freeze it." These are the lines from http://www.vividlight.com/articles/1309.htm. Does the fresh emulsion give better picture quality in terms of sharpness, color, contrast etc. How does it compares with the consumer slides with respect to the final picture quality. Will I be able to enlarge photos from consumer slides with equal sharpness as can be done with a professional slide film. I am thinking of stocking lots of slide films (and some negatives) and use them as needed. Which kind of films (Pro or Consumer) should I prefer. Please help. Thanks To love this question, log in above April 11, 2002

Hermann Graf		Professional films yield more consistent results, i.e., there is less variation between different rolls of film, esp. in terms of color rendition (important for, e.g., fashion photography). This is mostly done by applying stronger selection criteria at the quality control step. In order to maintain this consistency, they have to be stored in a refrigerator before used. But for many purposes, these properties are not needed. There are reports that there is no visible difference when applying "pro" and "consumer" grade slide films. To love this comment, log in above April 15, 2002

Sajeev Chacko		thanks hermann. if what you are saying is true i.e. There are reports that there is no visible difference when applying "pro" and 'consumer" grade slide films, then I really wonder why do professionals go for "pro" slides. may be a slight increase in picture quality. and what is the difference in prices. To love this comment, log in above April 15, 2002

Sajeev Chacko		thanks hermann. if what you are saying is true i.e. There are reports that there is no visible difference when applying "pro" and 'consumer" grade slide films, then I really wonder why do professionals go for "pro" slides. may be a slight increase in picture quality. and what is the difference in prices. To love this comment, log in above April 15, 2002

Hermann Graf		As said, for some applications as fashion, advertising, etc., it is necessary that the color tones appear to be constant over a series of rolls of films. Prices for pro grade films are significantly higher, cf., e.g., Fuji Sensia and Provia. To love this comment, log in above April 15, 2002

Sajeev Chacko		thanks again hermann. I think its bettr to go for consumer films until I feel confident about it. may be later I can switch over to "pro" films. thanks... To love this comment, log in above April 15, 2002

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