What color films to use for upcoming Michigan Fall colors

[John Wiegerink]

I’ve been using digital for almost all my color work and film for all B&W. Now I want to use my Pentax 6X7 and my Hasselblad to shoot some fall colors, but it has been such a long time since I’ve used color film I’m not sure what to get. I’ll be scanning so slide or negative doesn’t matter to me. Most of the colors will be deep red and bright yellow. ISO 100 is fine as far as speed goes, but since it’s medium format faster is ok too. We’re about a week to two weeks away from peak so I need to get my film ordered.
JohnW

 

[etn]

Faster than 100 slide film will be difficult to find.
I'd recommend Velvia 50 for a more saturated film, or Provia 100 for more "neutral" (so-to-speak) colors.

I recently had an offline discussion with my new friend (made through this forum!) Photomultiplier about Kodak E100 colors. He mentioned using a 81B (or CR3 in Hasselblad terms) filter to compensate against its tendency to magenta hues, although at this point neither of us has tried it. So take this info with a grain of salt, you might want to experiment before going in the field.

Plenty of choice with negative film, Portra 400 would probably be my choice here as I am really fond of its colors. There are surely other choices with more saturated colors (Ektar?), but I'll defer to other forum members as I have little experience with them.

Hope this helps,
Etienne

 

[benjiboy]

I would use Kodak Ektar.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Chromes are easier to scan IMO. I like Velvia 50 if it's available. If not go with Ektachrome or Provia both in ISO 100.
Velvia 50 6x7:
Tree and Cabin by Alan Klein, on Flickr

Velvia 50 4x5
Lake Topanemus by Alan Klein, on Flickr

 

[Photomultiplier]

This was the article i mentioned in our offline discussion:

Kodak E100 - Pushing the Limits of Slide Film — Alex Burke Photography

Learn how to get the most out of the new Kodak E100 Ektachrome slide film. See examples and find out the best way to expose this film.

www.alexburkephoto.com

Seems that Alex had similar problems with the colors of E100 first.
But it was a Tiffen 812 filter
The 81B works great with Provia 100F to get its cooler rendition warmer, while the 812 knocks down the E100 greens a bit with the slight magenta of the filter, but not so strong as to
get into the Fuji-realm. Needless to say, i was photographically socialised on Velvia, so i kinda like the magenta

@etn: I will order the filter soon, there are 2 rolls of E100 left in my freezer and if i like it with the 812, maybe i will use it more often.

On-Topic:
I am also going to do photography in the autumn, the first trees are changing their color already.
My primary films are the Fuji slides. I would also recommend Velvia 50, but be careful with the issue of effective speed, check or test in advance with your lab.
Provia 100F + 81B(optionally) is also a combination that performs well. Maybe easier to start with than Velvia and the speed is 100ISO in every lab.

Here you can see some of my photographs to get a feeling:

Photomultiplier (@prismatic.light.photography) • Instagram photos and videos

17 Followers, 2 Following, 79 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Photomultiplier (@prismatic.light.photography)

www.instagram.com

Mostly Velvia 50 but also Provia 100 and a bit of the mentioned Ektar.
Details are in the description.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Chromes are easier to scan IMO. I like Velvia 50 if it's available. If not go with Ektachrome or Provia both in ISO 100.
Velvia 50 6x7:
Tree and Cabin by Alan Klein, on Flickr

Velvia 50 4x5
Lake Topanemus by Alan Klein, on Flickr

Alan,
Those shots look to be what I'm after. I have two old rolls of Velvia 50 in 220, but won't use those for anything good, since I don't know how good each is after long cold storage in the fridge. I think I'll order some new Velvia and maybe a couple of rolls of Kodak Ektar. I have two bodies, so one with color negative film and one with slide film.

 

[MattKing]

This is scanned from the previous version of Ektachrome, which is similar to the new version:

 

[faberryman]

I'd vote for Agfachrome except they don't make it any more. All the slides had fall colors even in the spring.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Looks like I'll be shooting Ektachrome 100 since I can't find Fuji Velvia or Provia in-stock at B&H, Adorama or Freestyle. I think I'll buy a pro-pack of Kodak Gold 200 also.

 

[markjwyatt]

I like shooting B&W for fall colors. Use filters (Med Y is fine, deep yellow, too, go blue if you want a darkening effect).


autumn by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr

 

[Hasslebad]

I found the new Ektachrome 100 scans better than Provia and definitely better than Velvia although I prefer the colors of Provia and for fall foliage, nothing beats Velvia 50.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I like shooting B&W for fall colors. Use filters (Med Y is fine, deep yellow, too, go blue if you want a darkening effect).


autumn by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr

Yes, I’ll be shooting some of that too. HP5+ and Acros II.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I found the new Ektachrome 100 scans better than Provia and definitely better than Velvia although I prefer the colors of Provia and for fall foliage, nothing beats Velvia 50.

I’ll find out what the new Ektachrome is like I guess. It been at least 40 years since I used the old Ektachrome. I have shot Velvia in the resent past, but not much else.

 

[Maris]

And to make those colors really pop try a didymium red enhancing filter. Tiffen, Hoya list them; maybe others too.

 

[etn]

This was the article i mentioned in our offline discussion:

Kodak E100 - Pushing the Limits of Slide Film — Alex Burke Photography

Learn how to get the most out of the new Kodak E100 Ektachrome slide film. See examples and find out the best way to expose this film.

www.alexburkephoto.com

Seems that Alex had similar problems with the colors of E100 first.
But it was a Tiffen 812 filter

I stand corrected. I was assuming that 812 and 81B were equivalent. Although similar, they are not the same (but I only discovered that after doing more research.)

Thanks, learning every day - which is my definition of a full life!

 

[Sirius Glass]

If you can still find Kodak VC or UC [VividColor and UltraColor] that would provide more saturated colors.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I have a couple of 812 filters from when I shot weddings. How much different is a Tiffen enhancing filter?

 

[jwd722]

I've always liked Ektar 100 with a polarizing filter.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I've always liked Ektar 100 with a polarizing filter.

I just bought a brick of Ektar 100 and will go with that and the Tiffen 812 or a polarizing filter. I should be able to get good results converting the negs on a Nikon LS-8000. The colors are just starting to pop right now. The wife and I will be on color tour this weekend.

 

[jwd722]

For years my wife and I hit the UP for color but not for the last few and not again this year.

My "tour" will be more local, I'm down in New Baltimore at the notch at the bottom of the thumb on Anchor Bay. Our color is pretty much in the very early stages. Probably hit the state parks and along the coast of Lake Huron traveling up the Thumb.

I'm down to my last 4 rolls of Ektar and then it's on to Fuji C200 or digital. Kodak Gold 200 for medium format since that's all I have other than b/w.

Have fun!

 

[John Wiegerink]

For years my wife and I hit the UP for color but not for the last few and not again this year.

My "tour" will be more local, I'm down in New Baltimore at the notch at the bottom of the thumb on Anchor Bay. Our color is pretty much in the very early stages. Probably hit the state parks and along the coast of Lake Huron traveling up the Thumb.

I'm down to my last 4 rolls of Ektar and then it's on to Fuji C200 or digital. Kodak Gold 200 for medium format since that's all I have other than b/w.

Have fun!

My daughter had a boyfriend a few years back from New Baltimore. We would go down there to visit and I’d bring my boat. We’d put in at Anchor Bay for some excellent walleye fishing in the St Clair river and Lake St. Clair. This year we’re heading to Linwood then up the eastern Lake Huron shore line to the straits then down Lake Michigan shore to Ludington and then back to our cottage on US 10 east of Clare. Like you, our previous color tours were to the UP, but last year we were a little late up there and missed the peak. Decided to stay south this year. It’s sad, but where I live you just can’t walk into the store anymore and buy film. Especially 120 film.

 

[DF]

I'd vote for Agfachrome except they don't make it any more. All the slides had fall colors even in the spring.

RSX 50 was fantastic - deep blue saturated skies, pastel greens for plants/foliage. Beats out Velvia or any of the Ektachromes.

 

[jimmelcher]

I just shot some Cinestill 400D, rated at 1600. I’ll post results here next week.

 

[John Wiegerink]

I just shot some Cinestill 400D, rated at 1600. I’ll post results here next week.

I haven't used any Cinestill film at all. I'd like to see what you got from it.

 

[nanthor]

This thread makes me long for the old days and, you guessed it, Kodachrome.