Color neg. recommendation for waterfalls under deep forest canopy

[paullgj]

Hi,

I will be making a trip north in the springtime to photograph waterfalls in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Most of the settings will be under deep forest canopy, shot just after sunrise, and hoping to capture full range of colors at slow shutter speeds. One of the cameras used will be Nikon FE2 and some primes. I had initially planned for Kodak Ektar 100 but am seeing some comments here and there, some good, some not so good. Hopefully I'm in low contrast situations, will meter on the falls, then bracket, 0, +1, and +2. My scanner is Nikon Coolscan 4000 and I can open the tiffs in ACR to adjust any white balance that may be off.

Any other negative film beside Ektar that you can recommend? I have had good luck with Reala under bright conditions, but not so in the shade. I'd like to stick to ISO 100 films, shoot at ISO 100, and bracket.

Goal - fine art prints, 12 x 18. Thanks for your comments.

 

[Ektagraphic]

Well, I think that Ektar 100 would work for you and is what I recomend.

 

[DanielStone]

try the Kodak 160vc. nice bright colors, and if you rate it at 100, they get even brighter ! I'd stick away from the NC line, tends to go a little blue during longish exposures.

reciprocity on kodak Portra films is good up until 10s or so from my testing. the fuji tends to be better for longer exposures.

but personally, I'd recommend the 160vc. terrific film!

-Dan

 

[nickandre]

In 35mm Ektar is a very good bet for nice colors and going to 12x18. The grain is very nice.

 

[paullgj]

Elite chrome extra, porta vc, or ektar

It's a year later, I never made last year's trip, but now I'm scheduled to be in PA mid Nov. this year. I know the leaves will be gone, but I will be still photographing waterfalls in the Ohiopyle and Blackwater Falls, WV area. I expect overcast and somewhat dreary weather (which is great for waterfall photography!). So, still the question remains what film to have shipped directly to Pittsburgh? Porta 400vc? Kodak Elite Chrome Extra? Or Ektar? I have not used the latter, but I've seen posts in various forums sometimes complaining of blue casts when Ektar is used in the shade/overcast.

My slide film experience is with Astia 100f, but things may be too overcast for this film. And may favorite print film was 400UC (no longer available). So, I need some updated suggestions.

Thank you.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I would stick with Ektar 100.

Jeff

 

[paullgj]

Two years later - going to give Ektar a try

It's two years later and I'm going back to PA/WV and will give Ektar a try this time. During Fall, 2010 I went to Blackwater Falls, WV, used PortraVC with the FE2, but the colors were a little dull. This time I'm taking two cameras, both Nikon, a D700 and, again, the old FE2. They use the same lenses so this will minimize weight. Definitely will be in deep forest canopy - plan to hike to Jonathan Run Falls in Ohiopyle and Cole Run Falls on Laurel Ridge. So for film it will be Extar, plus my remaining rolls of Portra and Fuji Astia.

 

[jeffreyg]

I rarely use color film so perhaps others will chime in. I would include some appropriate filters for the light balance conditions you will encounter.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[paullgj]

Elite Chrome 100 or E100g?

I've decided to take slide film. Once someone recommended Kodak E100GX for the warmer tones in the shade. It's no longer made. Would E100G be the same under shade canopy?

 

[pukalo]

Very wise choice, to include slide film. Ektar under overcast skies means a heavy blue cast. Anyways, use either Elite Chrome 100, or even better for this application, Elite Chrome 100 Extra color (EBX). Both are designed to be used without the need for warming filters under overcast skies. E100G will also pick up a mild blue cast, though nothing like Ektar.
EBX can be had from Adorama for 5.99/roll. It is also excellent for Spring Flowers and Foliage, if you get lucky with timing.
Kodak is King for earth tones such as you will find in the rocks and streambeds, especially EBX.