120 Colour film for landscapes

gad-westy

gad-westy

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Hi all, I'm out of 120 film for my Bronica SQAi. Have used Kodak Ektar before and like it but fancy playing with something else for a change. Any recommendations? Mainly going to be tripod based landscapes and cityscapes (at night) with possibly the odd portrait thrown in if the light is there.
 
Good man, cheers. I like the idea of giving Velvia a go. Seems like a right of passage. Anything I need to know about shooting slide film vs C41?
 
Slide generally has a lower exposure latitude, so getting the exposure correct to within 1/2 a stop either way is more or less essential, otherwise scanning becomes very difficult. This will probably require ND grad filters for landscapes, but not always.
C-41 has a large exposure latitude as a lot can be pulled back in the scanning stage. Generally the colours are more muted, even Ektar looks muted compared to Velvia.

For me personally, slide is a lot more fun to shoot, but a lot harder to get right.
Some people don't get on with shooting slide, it's not for everyone. I'd recommend trying a few out though.
 
I have always found slide a very difficult film to get right. Portra 400 is another option, not as saturated as Ektar but I rather like it for landscapes, it lends a subtleness to them that Ektar misses.
 
Velvia 100F for night and day

If you don't want to faff with grads. make sure everything is in full sunlight :)
 
This slide film business is sounding a challenge! Can't use filters on my 40mm but normally have my back to the sun. Tempted to pick up a roll and give it a whirl.
 
I like Velvia but it is a cruel film to work with, particularly in 120 where there is less scope to bracket than with a 36 roll of 135!

The saturation and slightly more forgiving dynamic range of Provia 400 is worth considering. Although it will be only available as an out of date or short date product these days,but lots about I think. I have only ever shot out of date Provia.

The two shots below illustrate its saturation and range, both taken with a 1957 Rolleicord V.

Rusty wheel
8582960727_05bd7653ea_b_d.jpg


Sky and Telescope
8582986265_0654ede3ed_b_d.jpg
 
gad-westy said:
Hi all, I'm out of 120 film for my Bronica SQAi. Have used Kodak Ektar before and like it but fancy playing with something else for a change. Any recommendations? Mainly going to be tripod based landscapes and cityscapes (at night) with possibly the odd portrait thrown in if the light is there.
Click to expand...

For tripod-based photography, I now just go with whatever decent colour negative film I can buy the cheapest. I'm just not a good enough photographer to exploit the subtle differences between these films. When I have control over every other variable, then I think the differences will become more apparent. Until then, the look of my images will result more from the choices/mistakes that I make than any inherent characteristics of the film (putting aside any issues with the limited latitude of slide films), so I've stopped agonising over film choice.

I've shot a bunch of everything recently. They all do the trick up to my usual printing size of 12"x12". A sampling of a few of those:

Fuji Pro 160NS:





Fuji Pro 400H:





Kodak Portra 400:





Kodak Portra 800:


 
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Also worth bearing in mind that Velvia can be a pain to scan on consumer scanners particularly if it's under exposed.
 
skysh4rk said:
For tripod-based photography, I now just go with whatever decent colour negative film I can buy the cheapest. I'm just not a good enough photographer to exploit the subtle differences between these films. When I have control over every other variable, then I think the differences will become more apparent. Until then, the look of my images will result more from the choices/mistakes that I make than any inherent characteristics of the film (putting aside any issues with the limited latitude of slide films), so I've stopped agonising over film choice.

I've shot a bunch of everything recently. They all do the trick up to my usual printing size of 12"x12". A sampling of a few of those:

Fuji Pro 160NS:





Fuji Pro 400H:





Kodak Portra 400:






Kodak Portra 800:


Click to expand...

That's it I'm giving up, all I need now is for Osh to turn up and remind me of my photographic limitations and my evening will be complete.
 
Thank you all very much for your contributions and inspirational photos. Decisions, decisions....
 
skysh4rk said:
For tripod-based photography, I now just go with whatever decent colour negative film I can buy the cheapest. I'm just not a good enough photographer to exploit the subtle differences between these films. When I have control over every other variable, then I think the differences will become more apparent. Until then, the look of my images will result more from the choices/mistakes that I make than any inherent characteristics of the film (putting aside any issues with the limited latitude of slide films), so I've stopped agonising over film choice.

I've shot a bunch of everything recently. They all do the trick up to my usual printing size of 12"x12". A sampling of a few of those:

Fuji Pro 160NS:





Fuji Pro 400H:





Kodak Portra 400:





Kodak Portra 800:


Click to expand...

Those Portra 400 shots look really excellent and have me reconsidering the film I am gonna pack most of for Iceland.
 
for me it depends on conditions. If your shooting hills and vales and countryside stuff then slide film on a sunny day saturates like a mad man if you dont get the exposure exactly right. Its useful for grey days when the colours need a bit of a boost. For city stuff where things are going to be less colourful then go for it, i reckon it would be lovely and the exposures would be a little more forgiving.

You cant beat a bit of portra 400 though. I think Andy put a load in the film shot thread that just looked perfect.
 
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