Slide Film and Warming Filters?

[photophorous]

I have a couple of questions.

I'm preparing for a backpacking trip in the Colorado Rockies, and I've been planning to make Provia 100F my primary film. I've been reading a lot about the blue cast that is common with this film. I've shot about 4 rolls of it before and not noticed a blue cast, but I was shooting at sea level and mostly in the sun. Has anyone here used this film at high altitudes, and if so, did you use an 81A all the time or just in the shade?

I'm considering taking some Velvia 100F to use for overcast days or for shaded low-contrast forest shots. I've read that Provia doesn't do well in these conditions because of the blue cast, but if I could get similar results shooting Provia with a warming filter, I would prefer to do that. It's easier to add and remove filters than it is to switch films.

I will be scanning and digitally processing all of these shots.

Any comments from the old school slide film shooters out there?

Thanks,
Paul
I

[mwfanelli]

I have a couple of questions.

I'm preparing for a backpacking trip in the Colorado Rockies, and I've been planning to make Provia 100F my primary film. I've been reading a lot about the blue cast that is common with this film. I've shot about 4 rolls of it before and not noticed a blue cast, but I was shooting at sea level and mostly in the sun. Has anyone here used this film at high altitudes, and if so, did you use an 81A all the time or just in the shade?

I'm considering taking some Velvia 100F to use for overcast days or for shaded low-contrast forest shots. I've read that Provia doesn't do well in these conditions because of the blue cast, but if I could get similar results shooting Provia with a warming filter, I would prefer to do that. It's easier to add and remove filters than it is to switch films.

I will be scanning and digitally processing all of these shots.

Any comments from the old school slide film shooters out there?

I lived in Colorado for almost 7 years. I also used Provia as my main film. The blue haze at high altitude was due to increased UV light that film was sensitive to. However, that has not been the case for at least a couple of decades.

However, the contrast is very high with lots of shade. An 81A or 81B is an excellent choice for these situations, shade has a cold color temperature.

One hint: your skin is a lot more sensitive to UV than the film! Make VERY sure you are covered in sunscreen, including under the chin if you are on snow (yes, it exists in summer!).

Have fun.
.

[drg]

I have only found the need to filter Provia on overcast days when shooting light colored subjects. A predominance of green in surrounding areas can bring out that bluish tinge. It isn't the UV that is the problem, it is the color bias of the film.

Some shooters have seen a difference with the various coating formulations on different manufacturers lenses. If a lens you have has any tendency towards a Chromatic Aberration Provia, might and I say might, accentuate it to a small degree.

Kodak makes a flavor of Ektachrome, EK-G I think is the code, that is a warm, daylight balanced film.

Since you will be scanning and post processing all of the film, you might want to dispense with any filters other than the tried and true Circular Polarizer and possibly and GD-ND for the difficult sky/land/horizon type of shots. A good exposure on film can be tweaked to get the 'right' color.

Print film could be an option for some 'gray days' and will give you much better performance in wide ranging light conditions with less work. Since you are scanning anyway . . .

Have a great trip and we want to see the results!

[photophorous]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I'm hoping to find the time to shoot a test roll in various lighting conditions, with and with out an 81A (of the wrong thread size). Hopefully, that will help me decide if I should buy a new one and when to use it.

What about UV filters? Should I use one all the time, or only without a warming filter?

I've done this kind of hike several times, but not since I got serious about photography. I always carried an SLR, but I'm planning to take my shiney new rangefinder this time. The RF lenses are much sharper than my limited selection of SLR lenses. This of course means I'll have to make do without a polarizer or grad ND filters. That's making me a little nervous, but I'm really trying to go for quality over quantity (for a change). That's also why I'm planning to use slide film instead of print film. I'd like to be able to make some nice sharp enlargements, at least as big as 8 x 12.

Paul

[another view]

As we all know, film doesn't record a scene as our eyes see it but look at the light. I have only shot slide films in the mountains once or twice, and really didn't use an 81A much, just like here at elevation ~600'. But it's been a while...

It's the overcast or shadow situations where you'll want it. It's a good thing to have but I really don't remember it being that much more important at high altitudes. Again, limited experience though. Trust your judgement and you'll be fine. And I'm one of those guys who almost never uses a UV filter anywhere - unless it's windy and raining, etc.

[schrackman]

Paul!!

Kodak Elite Chrome 100 is a nice, warm slide film. In fact, it's my favorite slide film so far. I don't know what elevation you plan on being in, but I have shot this film at around 5000 feet and it seems to do well. Here's a couple examples from last October using my Canonet GIII QL17. Keep in mind these are scans, the positives themselves are punchier. And these were without a circular polarizer, which I now keep on my Canonet at all times except for night shots.

[photophorous]

As we all know, film doesn't record a scene as our eyes see it but look at the light. I have only shot slide films in the mountains once or twice, and really didn't use an 81A much, just like here at elevation ~600'. But it's been a while...

It's the overcast or shadow situations where you'll want it. It's a good thing to have but I really don't remember it being that much more important at high altitudes. Again, limited experience though. Trust your judgement and you'll be fine. And I'm one of those guys who almost never uses a UV filter anywhere - unless it's windy and raining, etc.

Thanks for commenting, and for clearing up the elevation question. I guess I should buy an 81A anyway, but I won't plan to use it unless I'm in the shade.

Paul

[photophorous]

Paul!!

Kodak Elite Chrome 100 is a nice, warm slide film. In fact, it's my favorite slide film so far. I don't know what elevation you plan on being in, but I have shot this film at around 5000 feet and it seems to do well. Here's a couple examples from last October using my Canonet GIII QL17. Keep in mind these are scans, the positives themselves are punchier. And these were without a circular polarizer, which I now keep on my Canonet at all times except for night shots.

Hi Ray,

Those are some nice shots, and I remember you posting some others you took with that film. I've never tried any of the Kodak slide films, but I've read some good things about a few of them. How does the grain size compare to the Fuji slide films? I'm hoping to make some big enlargements, so that's important to me. I doubt I'll have a chance to experiment with anything new before my trip, but I may try it afterwards.

You use a circular polarizer on your Canonet? How do you know how far to turn it? I really wish I could figure out how to use one with my range finder, but I just assumed it wasn't possible.

Thanks,
Paul

[mtbbrian]

Backpacking? Colorado Rackies? Bessa R2A?
What a combination!
Those Colorado Rockies are great and all, but they pale in comparison to the Utah side!

Brian

[photophorous]

Backpacking? Colorado Rackies? Bessa R2A?
What a combination!
Those Colorado Rockies are great and all, but they pale in comparison to the Utah side!

Brian

Yep. It's gonna be great! I'm excited to take the Bessa because it's so compact and those lenses are sooo sharp!

I've heard great things about the Utah side, but Colorado has the advantage of being about 8 hours closer.

BTW, I'm in the process of doing some lens testing that you might be interested in. I'll let you know when I'm done. :thumbsup:

Paul

[schrackman]

Paul,

I haven't noticed any problem with grain on 100 slide film. Even when I shot Elite Chrome 400 I didn't notice too much grain. But 100 is what you want. Maybe it's just me, but I noticed more grain on Fuji slide than the elite chrome.

As for the polarizer, I simply held it to the sky and rotated it till I saw the difference and noted on the rim where the polarizer kicked in. Then I screwed it back on to the canonet and turned it to that spot.

Hi Ray,

Those are some nice shots, and I remember you posting some others you took with that film. I've never tried any of the Kodak slide films, but I've read some good things about a few of them. How does the grain size compare to the Fuji slide films? I'm hoping to make some big enlargements, so that's important to me. I doubt I'll have a chance to experiment with anything new before my trip, but I may try it afterwards.

You use a circular polarizer on your Canonet? How do you know how far to turn it? I really wish I could figure out how to use one with my range finder, but I just assumed it wasn't possible.

Thanks,
Paul

[photophorous]

Paul,

I haven't noticed any problem with grain on 100 slide film. Even when I shot Elite Chrome 400 I didn't notice too much grain. But 100 is what you want. Maybe it's just me, but I noticed more grain on Fuji slide than the elite chrome.

As for the polarizer, I simply held it to the sky and rotated it till I saw the difference and noted on the rim where the polarizer kicked in. Then I screwed it back on to the canonet and turned it to that spot.

I'll definitely try that Elite Chrome when I get a chance. I've been trying to abolish my prejudice against Kodak color films. I didn't use to like them because I had only used the cheapo stuff, but I just tried UC100, and it seems to be very good. Tiny grain, very sharp, and the colors pop like I've not seen in print film.

Thanks for the tip on the polarizer! I'll have to give that a shot.

Paul

[schrackman]

Are you gonna be using your Canonet GIII to shoot slide when you go to Colorado, or are you using a different film camera?

Like I said, I really like the Elite Chrome/Canonet GIII combo. Beautiful warm tones all the time. There are a couple different slides films I've yet to use, like Velvia, but for now the EC is my favorite.

Just be sure that whatever film you use, post some photos for us please!!

I'll definitely try that Elite Chrome when I get a chance. I've been trying to abolish my prejudice against Kodak color films. I didn't use to like them because I had only used the cheapo stuff, but I just tried UC100, and it seems to be very good. Tiny grain, very sharp, and the colors pop like I've not seen in print film.

Thanks for the tip on the polarizer! I'll have to give that a shot.

Paul

[mtbbrian]

Yep. It's gonna be great! I'm excited to take the Bessa because it's so compact and those lenses are sooo sharp!

I've heard great things about the Utah side, but Colorado has the advantage of being about 8 hours closer.

BTW, I'm in the process of doing some lens testing that you might be interested in. I'll let you know when I'm done. :thumbsup:

Paul

Well, if you ever get to the real Rockies, let me know.

I saw your post on RFF, I'd be interested in your findings.
Brian

[photophorous]

Are you gonna be using your Canonet GIII to shoot slide when you go to Colorado, or are you using a different film camera?

Like I said, I really like the Elite Chrome/Canonet GIII combo. Beautiful warm tones all the time. There are a couple different slides films I've yet to use, like Velvia, but for now the EC is my favorite.

Just be sure that whatever film you use, post some photos for us please!!

No, I liked my Canonet so much, I decided to follow in Brian's footsteps and get a Bessa R2A with a couple of lenses. I love it! My D70s has gotten very little use since I got the Bessa. I haven't used the Canonet either, but I will not part with it.

I will definitely post some photos after my trip, but it will probably be mid August before I have time to do any edits...especially if I decide to buy a film scanner.

Paul

[mtbbrian]

I decided to follow in Brian's footsteps and get a Bessa R2A with a couple of lenses. I love it! My D70s has gotten very little use since I got the Bessa. I haven't used the Canonet either, but I will not part with it.
Paul

WOW!
I feel like I some kind of "photo guru" after a comment like that!
Thanks Paul!


Now if you were really following my advice, you'd sell that Nikon!
Brian

[photophorous]

Well, if you ever get to the real Rockies, let me know.

I saw your post on RFF, I'd be interested in your findings.
Brian

I'll let you know. :thumbsup:

[mongoose]

Mountain photography without Velvia film??? When I was using film for outdoor photos I always used Velvia with an 81a warming filter. Now there's the new Velvia 100F. I used that a few times and didn't notice any difference between it and the Velvia 50. Most of the photos on my website are with Velvia, but sometimes I adjust the colors a little bit so they might not be good examples. Velvia still gives the best colors for outdoor photos, especially when you have some greens in the photo.

[freygr]

My Leica III clone is small compared to All the Nikon SLR's including the D70 it's not funny. That is the camera I use if I'm going on a bike ride or hike.