Ken Durling wrote:
Ok, I've been looking around a little, and I've not found yet a good
article overviewing all the films now available. I realize there is a
lot of subjectvity involved - just from reading user comments on
photo.net - but I am in the process of expanding my film repertoire
and it would be great if some pro has done a good comparison
somewhere.
Also, does the lab where you have film processed affect the quality of
the negative as much as the print? I mean, how much latitude does E-6
or C-41 give? Obviously I realize that I get vastly different prints
from Walgreen's, Ritz and Kodak, but I'm not so skilled at evaluating
the negatives.
____________________________________________________________________
Don't know about a website for film comparisons but have done quite a bit of
it for myself and publication.
You did not mention your subjects or if you were planning to use print or
slide film, so here is my 2 cents.
Agfa - leans toward the reds. I personally use and like their Optima II 400
especially for scenics. Their portrait 160 is a wonderful people film, but
nowadays I prefer the Kodak 400VC for people and outdoor groups. For scenics
only the Agaf Ultra50 is the ultimate film but you will need a tripod for
most of your shots.
Their RSX100 II is an extremely accurate color slide film where you get true
whites as opposed to tinted whites like others' slide films.
Kodak - Portra 400VC (Vivid Color) is wonderful. Portra 160VC is also good
but slower by 1 1/3 stops. These print films have NC counterparts (160NC and
400NC) which are more natural (flat?) coloring. I prefer the VC which has
just the right amount of punch. As to slide films, the Kodak E100VS is my
standard. I used to use Velvia, but it is really a ISO 40 film (I know Fuji
rates it at 50 but it is too contrasty at 50 and you lose details), and I
prefer true 100 films. The E100VS for scenics and the E100S for people.
Fuji - Fuji Superior is an excellent product. Skins tones are a bit more
pale but the blues and greens are really bright and punchy. I particularly
like their NHG II 800 film which is an excellent people film and does well
at enlargements. If you are shooting people in ambient light this is the
film to use. I used to use Velvia but recently started using Provia 100F
which is a wonderful film and the finest grain 100 film on the market. I
reach for it as much as (and in recent times more often than) E100VS. Both
push well which is the key to a good slide film. Fuji Astia is a less color
saturated film which is suitable for people. I am waiting on their new
Provia 400F which is alleged to be as good as their 100F and hopefully finer
in grain than their MS100/1000 ay EI400. If so it will become my preference
and I'll be suing 100F and 400F exclusively.
Konica - Their Professional films (especially the Pro160) are actually quite
good but the colors are very natural which will make people see them as
flat.
Third party films are typically made by several companies. Check to see
where the film is made. If Germany its Agfa (Walgreens film is Agfa). If
Japan its Konica (Pathmark film is Konica Film), if USA its Imation
(formerly 3M) which can also be made in Italy but mostly the USA nowadays.
Typically I use a one hour lab for convenience (Walgreens is 2 blocks from
my house and I use them quite a bit) unless the photos are business in which
case I use a local lab where they do all by hand and can adjust the exposure
to best suit the negative. The key with labs, although they never tell you
this is that if you are using Kodak it is best processed in Kodak chemicals
and printed on Kodak paper, Fuji on Fuji, Agfa on Agfa. It does make a
difference. Walgreens is Kodak, Longs drugs if Fuji, Pathmark uses Konica,
etc.
Hope this helps.
Peter K
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