HI, I would like some of you to share your experiences regarding slide film. I had been using Kodak Elitechrome till recently. Now have switched over to Fuji Sensia. I have been advised by a friend to use Fuji Provia F or Velvia. Which is better in overall use (Bright light for landscapes and use with flash indoors).

-- Dinesh Hukmani (dineshhukmani@hotmail.com), August 28, 2001

Answers

Dinesh,

Slide film is the only way I do Colour photography. Sensia & Elitechrome are at par with each other. However, if you wish better results from your film, i would strongly suggest moving to the so- called professional slide films. Both kodak and Fuji make some really great pro slide film:

1) Kodak E100s-sw-vs: (saturated) (Saturated Warmtone) (Vivid Saturation)= these three films are my favourite in Kodak (well S and VS) Warmtone tends to be a little too specific for me. As you should know Saturated colours are what one seeks with Slide photography. VS tends to have some sureal reds, especially at sunsets or sunrises. S is an all around, fairly inexpensive pro-slide film from kodak. Hint: you want to underexpose by atleast 1/2 stop to get optimum saturation.

2) Fuji Velvia ASA 50: This is by far my most beloved chrome film. It has consistently given the most favourable results I have seen in colour saturation and sharpness. One drawback, it is a slow film so if you shoot with it, you will need to carry a tripod. but it is still the best film if you are serious about your shots and want to someday enlarge them to paper.

3) Fuji Provia 100f-400f: also another favourite of mine. it has finer grain than that of E100's and can be Pushed to a higher Asa rather favourably (100 can be successfully pushed to 380, 400 can be pushed to 800). I use this film as my workhorse in the field.

In closing I would say that if you do not already know, learn to underexpose to bring out saturated colours and enjoy!

Cheers

-- Nauman Saghir (MephistophelesSys@msn.com), December 26, 2001.