Advise for Toronto Aquarium - Film choices

[smerchant]

Looking to take a trip up to Toronto late this summer and one of the places I want to visit is the new aquarium. Would love to take some photographs and I shoot mainly film. Hoping to use Velvia. From what I have read I would need to push it to 800 speed-wise. For a camera I'd be using a Canon AE-1. Definitely a polarizing filter because of the glass. Any advise on if I'm heading in the complete wrong direction or should be doing something differently? Any tips for photographing this type of setting? Thanks in advance!

 

[Vonder]

Ooo... ouch. I have an aquarium that I frequent and while I can't say how Toronto's is, I have given up on film for that venue. The lighting is dim, the glass too thick and usually covered in finger, nose, and god-only-knows prints, and the lighting temperature has no natural film equivalent. You also simply can't push Velvia that much. If I was braver I might try Portra 800 and pray all the light bulbs were lit. A polarizer helps with the glass but also eats light.

For lots of things, film in king, in my world, but this is a digital zone for me. One caveat - B&W film works. Push Tri-X to 1600 or live with Delta 3200's grain, and you can do it.

 

[ME Super]

I agree some with what Wolfeye said. B&W - I'd use HP5+ and push to 1600 or use Delta 3200. For color I'd go for either Portra 800 or Fuji Xtra 800 and push to 1600. You'll at least be able to correct for color when printing. Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, KS can make slides from negatives or scans, so you can also go that route with the best frames.

Good luck, and enjoy your trip.

 

[smerchant]

Thank you so much everyone. Definitely going to keep these in mind and most likely go with Portra for color shots.

 

[adelorenzo]

Kodak produced a book on aquarium photography back in the 70's or 80's. I had a copy but I'm pretty sure it got recycled as I figured no one would want it. I'll double check though.

 

[smerchant]

Oh cool. Thanks