I have been using Fuji Velvia for a while now. It's a fantastic film but there are times when I would like to shoot during midday. Is there any significant latitude difference among the transparency films? I suppose Provia has less contrast than Velvia, but how much less? Any other recommendations?

Thanks

Alex

-- Alex (alexh@scruznet.com), November 03, 1998

Answers

Astia.

-- Ellis (evphoto@insync.net), November 04, 1998.

Try Fuji Astia, the offerings from Agfa or possibly Kodak EPN or the everlasting Ektachrome 64.

In shooting Astia on a clear & very bright winter day of a scene with ice & snow, mountains & clean sky with puffy cumulus clouds I held detail from shadows to bright white ice in sunlight with no problems. Velvia on the same scene didn't hold detail in the brightest areas.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), November 04, 1998.

I've been meaning to try out Astia. I normally rate Velvia at 40 and Provia at 80 for my light meter. Can you give me a guesstimate rating for Astia? Would you start by rating it at 80 or 100 ASA?

-- Howard Slavitt (nverdesoto@earthlink.net), November 05, 1998.

I think of "lattitude" as tolerance to under and/or overexposure. According to that definition, I don't think any transparency film is very forgiving. Contrast range is another story. Provia has a lower contrast range than Velvia, as does Astia, making them both more suitable for hard contrasty light situations where you want to maintain as much highlight and shadow detail as possible. Besides lower contrast, both also allow longer exposures before reciprocity compensation is needed, making them more suitable for time exposures in low light situations. Velvia's snap, crackle and pop is great when conditions allow, but it it will sure block shadows in contrasty lighting conditions. My experience too is that Fuji films need to be rated lower than stated, for me Velvia at 32 and Provia/Astia at 64.

-- Steve Singleton (singleton1@bigfoot.com), November 06, 1998.