wedding photography film

[yamamori]

Although I am a true amateur, I have been solicited to make photos at the wedding of a cousin's granddaughter. I have an SLR with a bounce flash. I was going merely to use Fuji ASA 100, but I have discovered that apparently there is film especially designed for such occasions, designated ASA 160. I find that there are competing brands and subdesignations within this catagory. Does anyone have advice on this matter, while bearing in mind that I am no more than a casual photographer? Thanks in advance for your tips.

[Charles Hess]

The 'traditional' wedding films come from Fuji and Kodak. Being a Fuji user, I can say that their NPS 160 (now called Pro 160S, I think), NPH (ISO 400), and NPZ (ISO 800) are mainstays in every wedding photographer's bag (at least those still shooting film). Kodak's Portra series also comes in 160-400 speeds. Good luck.

[mjs1973]

Kodak's portra series comes with an NC or UC designation (thre might be another one too), such as Portra 160UC. The UC stands for Ultra Color, and the NC stands for Natural Color. The UC film adds a little more pop to the color compaired to the NC version of the same film. At least this is what I have read. I have only shot one roll of Portra so far, and it was the 160NC version. Very nice skin tones!

I don't know anything about the Fuji portrait films, but you should check out the review section on this site to read what peopel who have used the different film types have to say about them.

[drg]

For general wedding photography look no further than FUJI NPH. This ISO 400 film is VERY forgiving and gives great latitude in exposure and flash. Anybody who does C-41/CN-16 processing can develop (the negatives anyway) adequately.

This is a neutral type of film and black and white clothing will look fine next to brightly colored flowers or dresses.

I'd recommend buying the film ahead of time so that you can practice with a roll or two. B&H and Adorama are two "partners" to this site that you can click through to purchase the film.

If you can't find a pro-lab that you like (or are able/willing to pay for) send the film out in batches. That way you won't lose it all. This can be part of your "experimenting process". If there is a really good one-hour lab, (you know the manager and all the techs by name and run 10 or more rolls a week . . . etc) make sure that the chemicals are clean and the temp is set properly. Though better than many emulsions, NPH can be cooked in the one hour stores tanks and mess up the color.

These rolls have 36 exposures each, and plan on at least 5 rolls with some backups. Purchase at least 10 rolls. When I shoot 35mm film for weddings I'll usually use 10-15 rolls for the wedding and reception. I never buy less than a brick (20 rolls) at a time.

Best wishes,

dr g

[another view]

I agree with using 400 speed film, and to keep life easy just use that for everything. If you're careful with exposure then 8x10's from 35mm can look great - my experience with Kodak Portra 400NC anyway. Color neg film handles over exposure much better than underexposure, and I generally shot this with the meter set at 320 or 250 so that I'd have a little overexposure (insurance, basically).

Weddings can be tough. Do you have any spare equipment? It's risky without another body and flash at least.

[yamamori]

I agree with using 400 speed film, and to keep life easy just use that for everything. If you're careful with exposure then 8x10's from 35mm can look great - my experience with Kodak Portra 400NC anyway. Color neg film handles over exposure much better than underexposure, and I generally shot this with the meter set at 320 or 250 so that I'd have a little overexposure (insurance, basically).

Weddings can be tough. Do you have any spare equipment? It's risky without another body and flash at least.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll take the two SLRs which I own: Olympus OM-1 and Ricoh KR-10. I'll use both Kodak and Fuji. The event is seven weeks away. The principal relatives involved do not expect professional results. There will be others there making photographs, as well. The information which I have received here is more than sufficient. I do thank everyone very much for the help. I offer my best wishes to each respondent.

[another view]

I'll use both Kodak and Fuji.

I used Kodak because that's what my local lab preferred to work with. I think that finding the right film and lab combination is more important than slight differences between the Kodak and Fuji films - some places just prefer working with one or the other and are set up for that. The place I deal with said they processed a lot of Portra but almost no Fuji. I know C41 is a standard process, but printing for skin tones is easier, I'm sure, with a negative you're used to working with.

So I'd recommend talking to the lab and see what they prefer to work with. Since you've got some time, you might shoot a roll of that film in situations similar to what you'll be doing. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[92135011]

I find that the fuji films generally make a cooler cast than kodak films.
My choice would be kodak 400NC