Velvia

FinoBlad · 09-07-2003 8:46am #1

I've just ordered 20 rolls [the 50, not the new 100]

As I've never used it before I'm interested in anyones advice.

Norma, you posted Velvia info before for DadaKopf I think so I'm particularly interested in your views.

norma · 09-07-2003 9:04am

Mmmm ... Velvia. My favourite film. Well, what can I say about Velvia that hasn't been said already?
It's got super colour saturation with a very slight warm balance (compard to Provia, for example) and, curiously, at the same time it can have a very slight green bias. Renders foliage just wonderfully. It's very fine-grained, fairly contrasty and, like all slide films, has very little latitude.
Some recommend rating it at ISO 40. Personally, I shoot it at its rated ISO in overcast-type lighting and underexpose 1/2 stop in bright sunshine. However, I must caution that what works for me might not work for you - your meter may behave very differently. For the first roll, try shooting in different lighting conditions and bracketing a bit (favour underexposure because slide film responds better to that than overexposure). After that, you'll have a better idea of what will work well for you.
Norma.

FinoBlad · 09-07-2003 9:17am

I use a big Lee polarizer thats quite strong, do you have to be careful with polarizing and not use it full on?

norma · 09-07-2003 9:21am

I think that might depend on what you're shooting. Too much polarisation with super-saturated films like Velvia can render deep blue skies as almost black. But, for the most part, it should be fine.

DadaKopf · 09-07-2003 9:39am

I've used Velvia once with my medium format toy TLR. The colours were great, the greens and browns especially so. I'd use it again except for the cost factor - I can't scan 120 and getting prints is too expensive so all I can do is admire them. Shame because I think it's my best roll ever.

I think I cross processed it once in 35mm. Wayyy too green for my liking (I'll stick with Elitechrome there).

As for metering, I agree with norma - get a reading and underexpose by half a stop. If you know your camera very well, you'll know when to do this. I just did it all the time and the results were great. Increased saturation slightly and avoided ugly overexposure.

FinoBlad · 09-07-2003 10:01am

do you guys use 81A/81Bs with it?

Figment · 09-07-2003 10:06am

Sounds interesting. Throw a link there to where you can get it. Any where in dublin that stocks it?

DadaKopf · 09-07-2003 10:07am

Isn't there some EliteChrome or Ektachrome that claims to remove the need for a an 81A or B filter? Elitechrome 200 something-something I think.

DadaKopf · 09-07-2003 10:10am

Originally posted by Figment
Sounds interesting. Throw a link there to where you can get it. Any where in dublin that stocks it?

Pretty much everywhere at this stage. Best bets, though, are Gunne's, Camera Exchange George's St and that Fuji place on Abbey St.

FinoBlad · 09-07-2003 10:11am

I buy it on the net, the shops here are rip-offs

Samson has a good sticky with more info but I mostly get it from 7dayShop.com who may not necessarly be cheapest for Velvia [but I was getting 60 rolls of tri-x anyway and added it on my order]

Figment · 09-07-2003 12:42pm

Whats the difference between the first two films here:
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/normal_search_result.php?keywords=Velvia+&x=5&y=6

Also im going shooting in an abandoned wharehouse, it has big windows but its dark all the same. Natural lighting. This film should be ok shouldnt it? Ill be photographing a model.
Just for fun.

FinoBlad · 09-07-2003 1:34pm

the velvia 100f is a brand new film, if you read the samll print its not available till august though the others are just different sizes of the 50iso

I dont think velvia is famous for its skin tone rendition in certain conditions but i dont have first hand experience of it yet.

how will u light the model in the warehouse, with fill flash or totally natural?

Figment · 09-07-2003 2:18pm

Natural. I plan on being near windows for the shots so im thinking I might bring along a big sheet of polystyrene to add a bit of extra glow.

davej · 09-07-2003 2:33pm

Also im going shooting in an abandoned wharehouse, it has big windows but its dark all the same. Natural lighting. This film should be ok shouldnt it? Ill be photographing a model.

No!

If there is one criticism of Velvia it's that it produces "Disney" colours. That's why some people prefer to use Provia etc.. Velvia is not very flattering for portrait photograpy.

I'd suggest Print films like Portra NC or Reala.

davej

Figment · 09-07-2003 4:54pm

Thanks for that. Ill get both films and experiment

norma · 09-07-2003 5:19pm

Dave is so right. Velvia is definitely not for portraits. I too like the Portra NC for that. If you still want to use slide film, I believe Astia is pretty good for portraits, although I haven't used it myself.

You certainly can use a warming filter with Velvia, but bear in mind that the results will be much more dramatic than with print film because the lab won't correct it out, and also because of the higher colour saturation of the film.

DadaKopf, there is a film that is great for warming up a scene. It's the Kodak E100 GX (which recently replaced the E100 SW). It's surprisingly effective.

This film chart is helpful when trying out new films. It's a bit out of date now, but most of it is still good. They do this every year, so keep an eye out for the new one. If you browse around their website, there is also a review of some B&W films. By the way, they publish a magazine. Some people were asking me about magazines recently. We definitely get a much better selection here in the U.S.

Norma.

Velvia

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