Best 400 ASA slide film?

I was wondering if I could get a few opinions on which 400 ASA slide
film most closely fits the following criteria.

1. Good colour range and balance, particularly on the warm end. The
faster films I have tried so far seem to tend toward blue or lack of
overall colour intensity, even outdoors.

2. Maximum possible exposure latitude.

I can handle a little graininess.

As the film will be travelling with me, stability of emulsion is
another contributing factor.

Thanks,

Bob Martin

Bob Martin wrote:

I was wondering if I could get a few opinions on which 400 ASA slide
film most closely fits the following criteria.

I have an occasional need to shoot near that ISO, just to keep shutter
speeds within reason. After carefully evaluating and using many films in
that range, and pushing a few films to that range, I have determined
that pushing gives better results. However, if your lab does not offer
that service, stick to Fuji Provia 400F, and add an 81A filter.



1. Good colour range and balance, particularly on the warm end. The
faster films I have tried so far seem to tend toward blue or lack of
overall colour intensity, even outdoors.

Kodak E200 pushed one or two stops. Though not an ISO 400 film, the
results are very good at 320 and 640 ISO.

Kodak P1600 can also be used at 400 ISO. While it is warmer, it is also
more contrasty, and grainier.

The older Fujichrome MS100/1000 used at 400 ISO gave better results.
This film is largely discontinued, though you might find some rolls
still in date. Slightly cool colour range.



2. Maximum possible exposure latitude.

I have yet to find any transparency film that gives the best results
without being within 1/3 stop of accurate exposure. However, for very
long exposures, or under very low light conditions, almost anything
caught on the film could be very interesting and usable, even if another
1/2 stop would have been better. It depends more upon your lighting and
gear accuracy.



I can handle a little graininess.

Fuji Provia 400F, but add an 81A for some warmth. Kodak Ektachrome 400X
is warmer, but the grain makes this look like colour TriX.



As the film will be travelling with me, stability of emulsion is
another contributing factor.

Thanks,

Bob Martin

Travel issues would likely count out the Kodak P1600. Anyway, it is
really expensive compared to other choices.

Only a few choices, but if you can try some E200, pushed one or two
stops, prior to your trip, you might find it to your liking. Whatever
you choose, enjoy your travels.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Alliance Graphique Studio
http://www.allgstudio.com

Bob Martin wrote in message . ..
I was wondering if I could get a few opinions on which 400 ASA slide
film most closely fits the following criteria.

1. Good colour range and balance, particularly on the warm end. The
faster films I have tried so far seem to tend toward blue or lack of
overall colour intensity, even outdoors.

2. Maximum possible exposure latitude.

I can handle a little graininess.

As the film will be travelling with me, stability of emulsion is
another contributing factor.

Kodachrome 200 rated at 250 is the best high-speed colour film.



Thanks,

Bob Martin

Michael Scarpitti wrote:

Bob Martin wrote in message . ..
I was wondering if I could get a few opinions on which 400 ASA slide
film most closely fits the following criteria.

1. Good colour range and balance, particularly on the warm end. The
faster films I have tried so far seem to tend toward blue or lack of
overall colour intensity, even outdoors.

2. Maximum possible exposure latitude.

I can handle a little graininess.

As the film will be travelling with me, stability of emulsion is
another contributing factor.

Kodachrome 200 rated at 250 is the best high-speed colour film.



Well, ISO 250 is only 1/3 stop under exposed, and still within normal development limits, depending on
lighting. It is possible to push Kodachrome 200. On the Kodak web site, look for technical documents
E-55 or E-88 for more information. The labs that do Kodachrome will only do two push settings. Those
are as follows:

ISO 500 - Push 1 1/3 mark the film container as "EI 500"
ISO 800 - Push 2 mark the film container as "EI 800"

After push processing the colour balance will shift to a Magenta to Red bias. This may fit your warmer
image requirements. Grain is reasonable at 16 rms, less than some true ISO 400 films, but much more
than E200.

Unlike Mr. Scarpitti, I hesitate to recommend Kodachrome due to the higher costs, and slower turn
around time on processing. Also, the look is different from other films, and can be tougher to scan.

I have done the push 2 once with a few rolls of film, and it has been about 6 years since I did that.
That situation involved some artificial lighting, and the colour shift actually helped the results. I
would not consider using this film currently, since I feel there are better choices, especially
considering the cost and processing.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Alliance Graphique Studio
http://www.allgstudio.com

Bob Martin wrote:

I was wondering if I could get a few opinions on which 400 ASA slide
film most closely fits the following criteria.

1. Good colour range and balance, particularly on the warm end. The
faster films I have tried so far seem to tend toward blue or lack of
overall colour intensity, even outdoors.

2. Maximum possible exposure latitude.

I can handle a little graininess.

As the film will be travelling with me, stability of emulsion is
another contributing factor.

Personally I took at first Fuji, the current undisputed leader
in slide films. I used both Provia and Sensia 400 and personally
I could not see that much difference. Both materials perform
very disappointingly when you shoot in shadows and yet have
parts of bright sky or other intense light source. Sky or clouds
might appear as an ugly magenta/cyan stain... Apparently this
material has a very narrow light attitude.

If you would care to follow advise of http://www.luminous-landscape.com/
use rather Agfa RSX II 200 with a push step. I concur, the result is
really nice.

I rarely use Kodak, thus I cannot say anything about their film.
My last Kodak was the E200 pro, announced as a "revolutionary"
material, turned out to have pure color balance and is very
difficult to scan. I was angry with Kodak for the last time
with this E200 of theirs...

Thomas


Thanks,

Bob Martin