Filmware, Kodak and Fuji, Print and E6

articles: about: filmware

I've listed more comprehensive reviews of my gear at epinions.com - links follow.

Epinions is worth joining... there's a sign-up page available by clicking the logo at right.

Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II

For print work with people for subjects it's hard to beat the Kodak Portra line-up. This is my staple film for work with people, as the contrast and colour accuracy provide a good starting point and the consistency of response across different speeds is quite nice. Grain structure is not unattactive, but then it's quite unobtrusive to boot, even in the 400 speed films. I haven't done anything with the new 800 yet.

For scenic and product work, Kodak E100VS is my general use film of choice. It's versatile regarding the colour it can handle (although it does punch them up), but it's predictable and grain is small. The reciprocity corrections required are quite minimal. Rated at 100 (which is where I generally use it) it's reasonably fast film.

Kodak logo and film package images Copyright © Eastman Kodak Company, 1994-2000.

There are some things Fuji is currently doing better than Kodak. Among them is the classic Velvia (RVP). For strong colour effects at the tightest grains, it's hard to beat. I load this up when there's no likelihood of people getting into the shot. (Somehow the Kodak E100VS, even with with its colour exxagerations, isn't as hard on flesh tones.) At ISO 50 (and I often rated it 40 to reduce the full saturation) it takes care regarding subject movement (even from a gentle breeze). For landscapes I just love it.

Then came Provia 100F. This is probably the tightest grained 100 ISO film ever. Colour seems to be accurate and neutral, and well, the grain! I need to experiment more with this film before it will become a staple for me, though, as I seem to be more susceptible to exposure error with it than with E100VS. The fact that that I gain a stop on Velvia without adding grain means I definitely will be experimenting. The loss of saturation benefits from Velvia and E100VS is mitigated by digital workflow, and once I can predict its behaviour well enough I hope to use this film more.