I've never shot slide film - tips please!!!

flashgumby · Dec 20, 2006

I've just been given a roll of Sensia 100 - a friend in my church hasn't used his F4 since getting a D200, so he handed me a roll when I told him I'd never shot slide film before.

I'm a complete dummy about what is the best use for this film - what are the strengths and weaknesses of Sensia? I'm considering loading it into my Dynax 600si when I travel through the Hunter Valley wineries - it will be a very quick day-trip for work, but I expect at least some time for 'lunch' (ie time to stop and shoot, then eat while I'm on the road ).

Any advice on what pitfalls there might be, when compared to using my standard diet of Reala 100 or Superia 400??? I don't know how old the film is, and I can only assume it's been well kept.

Is there a better use for this film other than the scenic stuff like mountains, grapevines, etc??? From what I've read Sensia is an ok portrait film, but I'm a bit short of models

Thanks in advance,
Gordon

Pinholemaster · Dec 20, 2006

If you don't know how old this roll is, or how it was stored, it might be best not to use it at all.

With transparency film, you expose for the highlights and let the shadows fall where they may.

If you do use it, use it for something not important. I'd hate to hear you went on an adventure, shot this film at an important moment, only to have the image ruined by bad film.

BruceN · Dec 20, 2006

I find the colors look best on Sensia 100 when it's underexposed by half a stop. I shoot it at 160. Outdoor subjects are best, don't shoot it indoors under tungsten lights without a flash. And most of all, have fun! Once you start sorting through slides on a light table with a loupe (a good 4x is about right) you might never go back to color negs.

Bruce

dmr · Dec 20, 2006

My suggestion is to bracket the exposure, even if you're fairly confident as to your meter. Slide film cannot take a joke as far as exposure is concerned.

mark · Dec 20, 2006

Expose it for the highs and I like my slides under exposed. SLide film is the opposite of neg film in this manner. Slides are fun but if you have a more than four stops difference in your scene you will lose the shadows or blow out the highs really quick. SLides take a bit more thought than negs but not too much.

Bill Mitchell · Dec 20, 2006

Have you checked the price for having it developed -- gasp? And how are you going to view it -- got a projector?
Unless you NEED slides, the best thing to do with it is to discard it.

dmr · Dec 20, 2006

Bill Mitchell said:
Have you checked the price for having it developed -- gasp?

Dwayne's is $6 for 24, $8 and change for 36. About the same at a local lab that does same-day E6. I really don't consider that out of line at all.

Oh, and one other suggestion. If you don't have any experience with slide film, do shoot it to get a feel of how it behaves and how you like it, even if you just go out and shoot something trivial or a test roll. It's part of the film culture.

mark · Dec 20, 2006

Bill, how do you view neg film, BW or Color? I suppose you would enlarge it and print it right? Ever think you could do the same with a Tranny? :rolleyes:

PHOTOTONE · Dec 20, 2006

I find there are (for me) certain advantages to shooting slide film stocks with the intention of scanning. If one is making scans from ones film, and then printing digitally, there is no disadvantage to slide film. I do not mount my E-6, rather I cut it into strips of six and use a page-sleeve for storage, just as if they were negatives.

flashgumby · Dec 20, 2006

Thank you all for the advice. I don't intend to shoot anything critically important with this roll - I'm driving through the vineyards anyway and I thought I might find something worth shooting as I pass through.

I've already priced processing at a local lab, and they quote AU$12.95 for a 36, plus $1.45 to cut and file. I might even get them to scan to CD, but THAT bit is expensive for the resolution you usually get in return.

So I guess I'll run it at 160, spot meter for the highlights and bracket. I'll also use a tripod and cable release.

And I'll also make sure it's fun - that is the main purpose of shooting this roll anyway. Hopefully it will add to my photographic experience, and as they say 'a change is as good as a holiday'...

Thanks again,
Gordon

Michael W · Dec 20, 2006

I love shooting slide film. I have my own small light box & magnifier for viewing, it's my favourite way of looking at photos.
Sensia is an excellent film & should have good keeping properties so I expect it will work fine.
i would rate it at iso 100 & bracket a few shots to test.
Generally only bracket half a stop each side with slide film.

As others said, expose for the highlights as slide film has limited exposure latitude, approx 5 stops as a rule. If you are going to lose detail it's better to keep highlight detail & have dark shadow areas, at least it looks gutsy.
If you expose for shadow detail you will possibly end up with completely blown (ie clear) highlights if the contrast range is high enough.
Try deliberately overexposing a couple of frames to see what that looks like!

The regular price for E6 processing at Sydney pro labs is about $9.00 for cut & sleeve. I guess your lab is sending it out & adding a mark up. Ask around & see if you can find a local lab that actually does the processing, will probably work out cheaper & faster for you.

The most important thing is that you are able to view the processed film properly so you can see how beautiful slide film is. Ideally find somewhere with a light box & magnifier.

naturephoto1 · Dec 20, 2006

I shoot basically only transparency film from 35mm up to 4 X 5. Depending on the transparency film the latitude is usually 3 1/2-4 stops but as much as 5. Exposure is critical and as mentioned, expose for the highlights. You may find a need for Graduated ND filters when the conditions are right. They, Polarizing, and warming filters are the most important filters for usage with transparency material.

Rich

wirehead · Dec 20, 2006

Well, you still have more highlight range and higher contrast with slide film... and with most scanners you have the frustrating experience where something's underexposed and your eye can pick it out, but the scanner can't. So you still have a wider dynamic range with print film.

Doesen't stop me from shooting primarily slide film in color. When I want a wider tonal range, I want B&W.

Also, remember that your shutter, meter, etc. may all be off by some amount. So it is highly recomended that you bracket a bunch when shooting a new film/camera/etc. to make sure you get the results you want.

MattKing · Dec 21, 2006

Project them, if you can

Light boxes and magnifiers are fine, but if you are shooting 35mm (or 127), you are cheating yourself if you don't project as well.

I don't know about Australia, but there are lots of bargain's available in really good, very serviceable slide projectors in North America.

Now if someone could offer me a reasonably priced medium format slide projector, I'm sure I could explain it to my wife ....

Matt

flashgumby · Dec 21, 2006

Thanks again for the replies. The lab that quoted $12.95 (ProAm) is probably the only lab in the area that processes E6 onsite, but I'll look around and see what I find. They will print as well - for $2.50 each. I'm thinking that the scanning (to 5MB TIFF files) that they are offering for $8.95 per roll might be a good idea after all...

I shot some today, but time wasn't my friend :-( so I've only used about a dozen frames (4 bracketed shots). I was also cornered into shooting at between 1-3pm, but at least it was slightly overcast.

I'll be sure to let you know how it goes when I've finally finished and processed the film.

Thanks again,
Gordon

naturephoto1 · Dec 21, 2006

flashgumby said:
Thanks again for the replies. The lab that quoted $12.95 (ProAm) is probably the only lab in the area that processes E6 onsite, but I'll look around and see what I find. They will print as well - for $2.50 each. I'm thinking that the scanning (to 5MB TIFF files) that they are offering for $8.95 per roll might be a good idea after all...

I shot some today, but time wasn't my friend :-( so I've only used about a dozen frames (4 bracketed shots). I was also cornered into shooting at between 1-3pm, but at least it was slightly overcast.

I'll be sure to let you know how it goes when I've finally finished and processed the film.

Thanks again,
Gordon

Hi Gordon,

Be aware that 8mb Tiff files are tiny.

Rich

mark · Dec 21, 2006

Those scans are going to suck, seriously.

gr82bart · Dec 22, 2006

flashgumby said:
I've just been given a roll of Sensia 100 - a friend in my church hasn't used his F4 since getting a D200, so he handed me a roll when I told him I'd never shot slide film before.

Ask him for his F4 instead.

Regards, Art.

flashgumby · Dec 22, 2006

I even did the right thing and offered him $50 for the F4 - I can't believe he didn't accept such a kind offer for his outdated technology!!! Maybe it was because I said he would have to include at least one lens, so I wouldn't have to grind and solder the lens mount to get it to accept Minolta lenses

Maybe if I go overboard and offer him $100 - only if he throws in a flash...

I've never shot slide film - tips please!!!

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