question regarding film?

[opus]

Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but I've only shot normal film up til now.

I want to start shooting with Velvia. Do I get that processed normally? Can I take it into your average photo store and have it processed without a problem, or do I need to have it specially handled?

I'd like to shoot with it in London. I like to get my film developed over there, both to avoid bringing it through the airport, and because I love seeing my shots while there to know if I should go back and get more. I have had good success with Snappy Snaps over there, in fact, I like the job they do better than anything I've ever found in the States.

Can I buy/process Velvia in Europe?

[racingpinarello]

Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but I've only shot normal film up til now.

I want to start shooting with Velvia. Do I get that processed normally? Can I take it into your average photo store and have it processed without a problem, or do I need to have it specially handled?

I'd like to shoot with it in London. I like to get my film developed over there, both to avoid bringing it through the airport, and because I love seeing my shots while there to know if I should go back and get more. I have had good success with Snappy Snaps over there, in fact, I like the job they do better than anything I've ever found in the States.

Can I buy/process Velvia in Europe?

Velvia is a slide film which must be processed with E-6 processing. So when you are done developing you will have 36 very nice little negative holders that show each frame.

The problem with Velvia is the high contrast, slow speed, and the tricky printing that does along with it. It's taken me a lot of practice to get Velvia printed right. I love Velvia, and I regret not taking it with me in Argentina (tried Kodak 100VS). If you want to see your pictures in London (dark skys normally) I would use Provia 100 or 400 slide film, or bring a tripod.

If you want to see prints, then use a C-41 film. I also wouldn't sweat the airport x-ray machine for carry on bags. I have never had a proble.

Loren

[Franglais]

Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but I've only shot normal film up til now.

I want to start shooting with Velvia. Do I get that processed normally? Can I take it into your average photo store and have it processed without a problem, or do I need to have it specially handled?

I'd like to shoot with it in London. I like to get my film developed over there, both to avoid bringing it through the airport, and because I love seeing my shots while there to know if I should go back and get more. I have had good success with Snappy Snaps over there, in fact, I like the job they do better than anything I've ever found in the States.

Can I buy/process Velvia in Europe?

Just to complement what Loren said..

There are now TWO Velvias. The original one is 50 ISO and a really sharp, solid look about it. The newer one is called 100F, is 100 ISO and doesn't have quite such a remarkable look about it.

Both films are readily available in Europe. Both require standard E6 processing i.e. it has to be sent away to a big lab to be processed. I get mine back in under 48 hours but do check that you can get the film back well before your return flight.

Charles

[another view]

It's an E-6 film, which is standard slide processing. You shouldn't have a problem having it done anywhere. I also tried Velvia 100F and didn't like it, not a bad film - just not Velvia.

First thing I thought of with Velvia and London were the overcast skies too - it's a 50 speed film that a lot of people shoot at 40. You'll be on the tripod a lot... It's a very high contrast film so shooting it in low contrast (i.e. overcast) light is best.

Provia 400F would be a good thing to bring too, not quite as saturated or contrasty, but good punchy color and not (as) bad with skin tones. Almost no grain, too - but it's expensive.

I haven't had a problem with airports either and especially wouldn't worry about ISO50 films.

[Lionheart]

I agree with the others on Velvia 50. I loved this film when I shot film, but it is slow. Shot at ISO 50 it is very contrasty with colors that really pop. I often shot at 40 to get more realistic tones and shadow areas while still retaining the heavy color saturation. However you will find you'll need a tripod or a monopod at the very least if you plan on shooting under overcast skies at f8 or smaller. The other way I shot Velvia 50 was to shoot at ISO 80 and push process one stop. Still very useful, grain still on a par or better than Provia 100, colors that still pop, but requires you to find a lab that will do this for you (unless, like me, you like to process your own films). I'd recommend a few rolls of Velvia 50, but bring a goodly number of Provia 100F and 400. Just my 2 cents. (I haven't shot slide film in about 2 years). Another film you might consider is Agfachrome RSX 50. It's an incredible slide film (E6 just like all the other slide films) with quite a latitude. Shot at ISO 50 and processed normally, it looks very neutral. Shot at ISO 64, it starts looking a lot like Kodachrome 64. At ISO 80 (processed normally), I've found it looks a LOT like Velvia shot at 50. I used to love shooting this film instead of Velvia because it gave me Velvia like saturation at ISO 80, with normal processing to boot. Downside is grain, not quite as grainless as Velvia and Provia, but still quite good. I happened to discover this film when looking at some of Irakly's wildlife posts a couple of years ago on this site, bought some at his recommendation, and being the experimenter that I am, really pushed the bejeebers out of this film (and others too-try Provia 100F pused to EI800-it works ) and shot it under different ISO settings and processed different ways. Anyway, just my two cents worth on slide film.

[carney2]

I love Velvia 50! It is my main film for vivid landscapes. Could never quite understand the "shoot at 40; process at 50" theory. I tried it and never saw much difference. One piece of advice: never use Velvia 50 when shooting people - particularly if the skin tones are a factor.

My question to you is: where and what in London is amenable to Velvia 50? I have used it in bright light and for fantastic scenics like the American southwest. To me, London has always seemed like a place that needs to be "brightened," and not a place where you need to "pop" the colors. Are there really many colors to "pop" in London? Not being critical; just wondering.

[another view]

One piece of advice: never use Velvia 50 when shooting people - particularly if the skin tones are a factor.

C'mon, it's great for mother-in-laws! I've used it at 40 a few times, but generally don't. I usually use this film for landscape stuff in great light, like sunrise/set. For something like that, I'll use the spot meter and shoot manually. But - I usually put an extra 1/3 stop into my exposure, which essentially rates the film at 40.

I was in London 10 years ago, and there are some bright colors. The great phone booths and double-decker buses are both a really bright red. Oh yeah, the phone booths are mostly gone and buses are on their way out...

[bevan.n.z]

try www.7dayshop.com for the film and for developing www.dlab7.com
the are partner companies and are by far the cheapest in the u.k mainly because they operate from an Island called Guernsey and its tax free from the mainland U.K
well worth a look

cheers
Bevan.