I will be traveling later this month with my M6 and a 35, & 50 Summicron lenses. I have shot Velvia in the past but won't being carrying a tripod this time. Much hiking. I will shoot lots of candids, mountain landscape, village scenes. All hand held which I will then project to friends and family. Am looking for slide film which will capture scenery, and flesh tones as "it is." Thanks for your consideration.

-- JIM FORD (ANNIEJIM@DELLNET.COM), September 13, 2000

Answers

I've had some pretty good success with the Fuji Sensia films. They seem to reproduce skin tones well, and they're pretty good for landscapes, too.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), September 13, 2000.

I like Astia, but for landscape I must confess I would hate to be parted from Velvia - not good for skin tones though! Why not take along a little table top tripod?

Happy shooting

Regards

Matt

-- Matthew Pulzer (pulzer@dial.pipex.com), September 13, 2000.

I have used Velvia while backpacking without problems, but if you wish more speed, try Fuji RMS 100-1000. I've used this at 640 with excellent results. Suggest trying new films before departure.

-- Don M (maldos@earthlink.net), September 13, 2000.

Kodachrome 25,64, and/or 200.

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), September 13, 2000.

K25,K64 and K200 if it is personal travel. Reason? It keeps the longest. My Ektachromes from the mid 70s are fading. The K25s are bright as the day they came back from the lab.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), September 13, 2000.

A very subjective question!!! I am using and loving Fugi Provia F right now. It is a 100 ISO film and happily takes a two stop push to 400 ISO. Skin tones are good and I only need to carry one film to cover all my needs! It is slightly more saturated than Kodachrome but not way over top like Velvia is.

Cheers

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), September 14, 2000.

Oops! that sould read Fuji! Mi spel cheker iz oph.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), September 14, 2000.

I just had to respond to the provia 100 F/push posting. I have also used this film and continue to use it as my current "staple". However, I did a side/side comparisons with provia 100F pushed 2 stops and RMS...the RMS was superior at ISo 640. The Provia colors seemed to wash out when pushed 2 stops. One stop push, worked great! Just my

-- Don M (maldos@earthlink.net), September 14, 2000.

You guys are great and most helpful. Interesting how more folks lean toward Fuji. I have heard now again that Provia F is a quality "all purpose" travel slide film. But tell me, what is accomplished by "pushing" film? If you want 200 or 400 asa, why not purchase that film?

-- Jim Ford (anniejim@dellnet.com), September 14, 2000.

Jim,

I have not tried Provia 200 or 400, but been pushing Provia F 100 to 200 with great results. I have heard that Provia F 100 pushed 1 stop is better than Provia 200!

Another thing is why carry both while you can carry only one for your "all purpose" film. Regards.

-- John Hoang (johnjhng@hotmail.com), September 14, 2000.

{All hand held which I will then project to friends and family. Am looking for slide film which will capture scenery, and flesh tones as "it is."}

Bring some Velvia and some K200 in my opinion. ISO 100 films are great (E100SW, Astia for me) but that 1 extra stop over Velvia doesn't give them much edge. I've found that Velvia will provide adequate shutter speeds for golden-hours shooting at f/2 to f/4, and for the other occasions K200 is rather pleasant if you won't have a tripod to worry about its total reciprocity failure.

Transparency films don't capture colors as they are, whatever the film -- you have to go with the colors you like. And if you're a Velvia kind of guy who's also worried about flesh tones, it's hard to beat Kodachromes.

-- John O'Connell (boywonderiloveyou@hotmail.com), September 14, 2000.

I actually called Fuji and asked the question "what is better; Provia F pushed 2 stops or ISO 400 film". They said that Provia F would likely be slightly better because the RMS is so much smaller. Personaly, I can't seem to see a difference. Provia F pushed 1 stop is better tha ISO 400 IMHO. All-in-all, it's hard to beat the satisfaction one gets with Velvia. With the Leica lens, images created with max aperatures are stu

-- Don M (maldos@earthlink.net), September 15, 2000.

I must try the new Provia 100F soon. I find Ektachrome E100S makes an excellent general-purpose slide film - noticeably better than its "amateur" equivalent, Elite 100. Realistic colours yet good saturation. Yes slide film really is very subjective. People rave about Velvia but I find it too artificial. Perhaps that's just because of New Zealand's very intense sunlight. Love K25 but can't get it here or get it processed. E6 is much easier. And 100 film is just that uch

-- David Killick (Dalex@inet.net.nz), September 15, 2000.

You are indeed lucky to be able to have a slide show.I find its the best way to clear a room,a house by announcing slide show.Have done pro slide projection.3 projectors.2 Pradovits and European Kodak Carousel.I prefer slides for color rendition and sharpness. I shoot mostly negative film for prints that I can see anytime.Ease of duplicate prints.Can make album/journals of trips etc.Find a good printer.You may enjoy the alternative! Tomorrow shall purchase some Velvia and see what the fuss is about.

-- jason gold (jason1155234@webtv.net), September 15, 2000.

Pretty amazing isn't it.. I am writing from Washington DC and on board is Mr. Killick from New Zealand! Hey Jason, another and REAL reason for slides is they're less expensive. I can have a role of 36 devloped with mailers for under 10 bucks. And yes, it's fun to WOW friends and fambly with poster size prints! Gentleman.. Could you please explain the value of pushing film. I know I am ignorant in the true purpose of this exposing technique.

I am going to try both Provia F and Ektachrom 100S just so in lower light conditions I can shoot at 1/30. Shakie hands don't you know.

-- Jim Ford (anniejim@dellnet.com), September 15, 2000.

Jim

My favorites are K64 and K200, and if you really want a 100 ISO film, Sensia/Astia. Kodachromes are demanding, but the quality when you get it right is breathtaking and the images have incredible punch. Good for both people and landscapes. Both K64 and K200 are sharper than any 100 ISO E6 film (although the E6 films may have equal or better grain). Astia/Sensia is a good general film with natural color and good sharpness. I use it if I am doing a dedicated portrait/people session of family and friends. Personally, I dislike the fake pumped- up colors of Velvia and Provia for normal travel/journalistic type work. If you have a good Leica projector in my opinion nothing beats Kodachrome.

-- Robin Smith (rsmith@springer-ny.com), September 18, 2000.

I only use three films: Velvia, Provia 100F, and K200. That's it. If you are worried about hand-holding Velvia, just take 100F and the K200. No worries! Have a great trip.

-- john costo (mahler@lvcm.com), September 18, 2000.

I've used a lot of Velvia for nature. It's great. But I've never been disappointed in Fuji Provia (or even Sensia) 100. On a recent trip to Mexico, I took mostly Provia, but threw in a couple of rolls of Kodachrome 64, thinking it might be good for the warm earth-tones of buildings down there. Guess what? I was more pleased with the Provia. I shot my first Provia F recently, not enough yet to comment on the difference, except I can say, so far, so good. I'd have to say Provia 100 would be my best single all-around choice.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@juno.com), November 08, 2000.

I use Velvia, Provia 100F and the new Provia 400. The Provia 400 is nice but expensive. Nothing beats Velvia, IMHO.

-- David Enzel (dhenzel@vei.net), August 26, 2001.