I think I'm in love...

[schrackman]

with Kodak Elite Chrome slide film. The following photos in no way represent what is truly on the slides, and I now know that if I'm gonna stick with slide film I need a much better scanner.

After I got my slides at the lab the clerk gave me a loop to look at them. The saturation is incredible. The sharpness and detail is amazing. Yes, it is quite grainy on some photos but given the rest it is something I can easily accept. However, I decided to give Fujichrome Professional Provia 400F slide film a shot next. The clerk said if I liked the Elite Chrome, I'm gonna like the Fuji even more. We'll see.

Here are just a few sample photos:

A couple cuties who got into the spirit of our annual Stagecoach Days parade:



The outdoor staging area set up for our yearly "gunfight" scenes:



Some poor fella getting all shot up in a gunfight:



Sunset at Daysart Park in Banning, at the rodeo last weekend.



Again, Pixie the dog from next door:



And again, our lab/shepherd mix Peter, after rolling around on our front lawn:

[mjs1973]

Very nice pics Ray. Isn't experimenting with new films, especially slides, great! I don't have much experience with Kodak slids, other than a couple rolls of Kodachrome, but I am a big fan of Fuji slides. I think you are really going to love the Provia 400. It's a little pricey, but I love the results that it produces.

[Greg McCary]

I tried some Fuji 400 a few weeks ago. I was also amazed at what I saw on the slides. The colors and textures were wonderful. I am frustrated that I only have a cheap scanner and can't get the lab to nail it, as it looks on the slide. I have another roll I need to shot. As a note: The old gentelman at the local lab has been dealing with slides for many years says that all but the old Kodak slides are begining to fade away of sorts, if you want to keep it for years to come you might stick with the Kodak....
Greg

[another view]

Most color films aren't archival when you're talking about over 20 years. Kodachrome is really good at this but it's next to impossible to find anyone processing it anymore. The developing chemistry is very toxic and there might only be (literally) one or two places in the US doing it anymore. One thing to be careful of is how your film is stored - and at least as important what it's stored in. Make sure it's archival. Light Impressions has a lot of good options.

I've shot a lot a lot of Kodak's Ektachrome and Elite Chrome (100 and 200, not 400). The Kodak films all have a certain look to them and the Fuji films just look different. I really preferred the Fuji look overall but try a lot of each to see what you think. Provia 100F was my normal film and the 400F will blow you away. It's hard to tell the difference between slides taken on each of these films. No grain, really! I think I read a few months ago that they've improved this film too. Kodak's slide films tended to get very grainy at even 200, but I'd say Elite Chrome 100 was my favorite of all of their slide films.

[Greg McCary]

How do you get from slide to computer? I have been disappointed by the labs. The old gentelman I was refering to wants four dollars a slide. Wal-mart is 60cents a slide and does better if you tell them not to adjust the exposure. Even at that when you hold the slide up to the light it seems much better than what I am getting on CD....
Greg

[mjs1973]

I just started using a local guy to scan my slides. He charged $2/slide. I thought that was outragious when I first talked to him about it. After using a differnet lab that charges 50 cents/slide, I finally decided to give the local guy a shot. I got back files in the 55mb range. The other lab I used was nowhere near that. After checking out some other places online, I realized that $2/slide is a bargain, for good scans. The files need a bit of tweeking to get them to look right, but I think you are going to have that no matter who you have scan them. They are going to need some sharpening, and some other adjustments, but as far as I'm concerned, that all part of the game.

You may want to check out iStockphoto. They are now offering a reasonably priced scanning service. I have never used them, but it might be worth a try if you don't have anyone locally that's meeting your needs.

[walterick]

I've tried most of the the slide films at one point. Fuji for me wins, hands down. I'm not impressed by Kodak's offerings. Every once in a while, I buy another roll of Kodak (I think E100VS was the last one I tried) thinking I might like it today. I don't Velvia and Provia are winners in my book; I have yet try Astia. Sensia makes for a good "all-around" film, but I'd go with Provia and get the extra saturation.

I had the same problem as you guys getting slides scanned. I used to have them printed 4x6 and then scan the prints on my flatbed. Then, I realized that I might as well buy a scanner capable of scanning positive films, including 120. So, my research landed me with the Epson 4990 which has done an amazing job scanning negatives and positives. It will scan a positive sheet up to 8x10, which lets me grow in my photography and still have the capacity to keep scanning my film.

[Greg McCary]

Maybe Santa Clause will bring me an Epson. From what little I have used slide film, one roll, a can't believe all serious photographers are not using it. What I used was Fuji 400. I know i'm impressed and I have been taking pictures or less than year...
Greg

[walterick]

From what little I have used slide film, one roll, I can't believe all serious photographers are not using it.

Amen to that brother

Most pros used to use slide film. Now, they've mostly gone digital.

[schrackman]

Thanks, Michael! Yes, it is a bit more pricey...to the tune of $11 for one roll! I think I paid close to $7 for the Kodak Elite Chrome. The good news is, it doesn't cost me any more to develop slides than it does regular film.

After seeing what slide film can do, I seriously doubt I'll be meddling with regular film anymore (excepting b/w film, of course). At least not with the Canonet anyway. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the Fuji comes out. Alledgedly it isn't supposed to have the grain that the Kodak slide film has. If that's the case, Fuji will definitely remain in my camera bag. Although I will still have to try out Velvia, Astia, and Agfa slide films for comparison.

Very nice pics Ray. Isn't experimenting with new films, especially slides, great! I don't have much experience with Kodak slids, other than a couple rolls of Kodachrome, but I am a big fan of Fuji slides. I think you are really going to love the Provia 400. It's a little pricey, but I love the results that it produces.

[pyxel]

I am starting to regret the fact that I bought a digital camera even though it is much less expensive for the moment so I will stick with it until I buy a film camera. But I love how colours look with film pictures, they look so much more natural and your pictures are a good example of that. To me, all these pictures looked professional.

[schrackman]

Thanks Pyxel!

Keep in mind, though, that I still shoot digital–a lot. My film camera is for fun and creativity, while my digital is my working camera. I couldn't do the kind of photographic work I do if I had to rely on processing film all the time.

[Greg McCary]

I wonder do you have enough interest from members here it have an E-6 section? I intend to do more work with it when I can round up a better scanner. Posting pictures in a slide a section might bring more interest from other photographers....
Greg

[Speed]

Hello Ray,

I see what you like. And I also know that it takes a GREAT scan to do slides justice,

I remember my first roll of Sensia 100. I was looking through the loupe, and was blown away by the detail. I took a photo of my kids playing cards, and with the 10X loupe, I could see what cards my daughter was holding in her hand.

How much you like the Fuji slides is going to depend on what you use them for. Remember that Kodak is generally saturated toward the red end of the spectrum (hence the great results with portraits) while Fuji is generally saturated toward the green end of the spectrum (hence the great results with landscapes).

I've never used any Kodak slide film, but I have used Fuji Sensia 100, Provia 100, Provia 400 and Velvia (50 that is). I love them all. If you're thinking of doing any night, low light, or astrophotography (think star trails) then Sensia and Provia are the way to go.

As for price, I order all of my slide film from B&H photo. Their prices are about the best around, and their service is excellent.