An alternative to Provia 400x?

[andrenth]

Hello

Provia 400x's price is currently very high, and at least here in Brazil, developing slide film is 3 times more expensive than negatives...

Can anyone suggest an alternative which also has vivid, strong colors similar to Provia 400x?

Thanks,
Andre

 

[Rudeofus]

There are several slide films with vivid colors, but if you want 400 speed, then Provia 400X is all there is.

 

[ME Super]

You could try the Rollei Digibase CR200, pushed 1 stop, but I've heard it's rather grainy. I have a couple rolls in my fridge waiting to try out. Here in the US you can get it from Freestyle or B&H, not sure about availability in Brazil.

 

[ntenny]

Even at box speed I found the CR200 to be pretty grainy. It's a kind of attractive film in its color rendition, but very different from Provia 400X.

I've seen good results from pushing Provia 100F to 400, but I haven't done it myself. The samples I found in a quick search were all in medium format, so I don't know how bad the grain gets in 35mm.

OP, since you mentioned the cost of developing slides as part of the problem, are you considering looking at color negative films too?

-NT

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Provia 100 pushed to EI200. Or even 320.

 

[andrenth]

Thanks for the replies, guys. ntenny, yes... I guess I didn't ask the right question... I am actually looking for color negative film with similar characteristics compared to Provia 400x, as the slide development price is becoming prohibitive. And ISO 400 would be ideal (do I ask too much? )

 

[benjiboy]

If you want a neg film why not use Fuji Pro 400H ?

 

[andrenth]

If you want a neg film why not use Fuji Pro 400H ?

I've been reading about it, but after the comparison at http://www.twinlenslife.com/2010/12/its-our-favorite-time-of-light-new.html I'm more inclined to try Portra 400...

 

[benjiboy]

I've been reading about it, but after the comparison at http://www.twinlenslife.com/2010/12/its-our-favorite-time-of-light-new.html I'm more inclined to try Portra 400...

I.M.O the colour balance of Fuji 400H is closer to that of Fuji 400X than Kodak Portra 400, which is what I thought you were after.

 

[andrenth]

I.M.O the colour balance of Fuji 400H is closer to that of Fuji 400X than Kodak Portra 400, which is what I thought you were after.

It is what I'm after. It's just that they look pretty similar in those examples, with Portra being more flexible. But maybe those examples are not good to show the color balance differences between them. I'll keep looking for more samples. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[benjiboy]

It is what I'm after. It's just that they look pretty similar in those examples, with Portra being more flexible. But maybe those examples are not good to show the color balance differences between them. I'll keep looking for more samples. Thanks for the suggestion!

I suggest you shoot both of them yourself, it's a case of "suck it and see", evaluating films is very subjective you can't rely on other peoples experience.

 

[okto]

Ektar. The color saturation is insane for C41, almost on the order of Velvia in some cases. Can't shoot people with it, that's for damn sure.

 

[derwent]

Ektar is punchier than Provia...

I prefer Fuji Pro 400H to Portra 400 myself.
No neg is quite as nice as slide when it all works though...