Velvia 100F dynamic range confusion.

[Paul Dunning]

Hi All,

I was just looking at the data sheets for provia 100F, velvia 100 and velvia 100F, provia appears to have a dynamic range of about 5 stops but using the same methodology I used to calculate for provia I get about 3.3 stops for V100F and 3.7 stops for V100, can this be right or are the graphs wrong for these films?

For some reason I’d assumed that all the 100 speed films would be similar but I was astonished to see the two velvia 100s coming out with less range than velvia 50.

Basically I’m trying to decide which films to stock up on for a trip to Scotland at the end of April, I’ve got plenty of velvia 50 and a couple of boxes of provia but I need to stock up on film for more contrasty situations, will take a few boxes of colour neg (portra 160 and maybe Fuji 160NS) but was also thinking of velvia 100F for longer exposures and a bit more range than velvia 50 in situations where I think the colours of provia might be too muted. The data sheets have me confused though

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Many Thanks,
Paul.

[Paul Dunning]

OK, scrub all that, me being dumb (what's new I hear you say ), after looking again I find that velvia 100 and 100F both come out at around 4 stops , so about the same as velvia 50.

Apologies.
Paul.

[dave_whatever]

I thought you must have been reading something wrong!

[Charles Twist]

V100 is OK for strong, unreal colours whereas V100F is more natural and IMHO a good complement to V50 for the reasons you state. Astia 100F is a good choice for wider dynamic range.
Regards,
Charles

[Paul Dunning]

Thanks Charles,

I've now ordered some 100F to try. Astia has me intrigued but I assume the only option is to get it from the US. Badger Graphic and B&H both list it, anywhere else worth looking at ?

Paul.

[Charles Twist]

Once again the UK gets shafted by Fuji... I think their plan is to shut down as much as they can and centralise to reduce costs. If that means continued access to film, then I'm happy to order from Germany. Maco has Astia 100F: http://www.macodirect.de/fuji-astia-100 ... -1433.html
A few years back, Fuji were talking about discontinuing this line. Thankfully, they seem to have recanted. Anyone any news?
Regards,
Charles

[Paul Dunning]

Thanks Charles,

I love buying stuff from German retailers, they always include a little bag of Haribo

Astia arrived from Maco today and I'll definitely use them again (unlike a certain UK supplier of Kodak film which I'm getting increasingly annoyed with).

Paul.

[dennis]

Paul,
Silly question, but how do you pay for items from Germany? i.e. phone & credit card, send Euros, whatever? Thanks Dennis.

[Paul Dunning]

Paul,
Silly question, but how do you pay for items from Germany? i.e. phone & credit card, send Euros, whatever? Thanks Dennis.

Dennis,
For Maco I just used their paypal option, other retailers I've dealt with I've generally used credit/debit card or paypal. No real difference to dealing with any other online retailer. It is a rarity though, most of the time I can find somebody in the UK to supply my needs.

Paul.

[timparkin]

You'll be intrigued to know that DxO tested the dynamic range of velvia and came up with over 11 stops (using the same techniques they used to analyse there digital cameras). My own tests support this.

[Paul Dunning]

You'll be intrigued to know that DxO tested the dynamic range of velvia and came up with over 11 stops (using the same techniques they used to analyse there digital cameras). My own tests support this.

That's astonishing, but for the average photographer what does it mean?

Paul

[timparkin]

You'll be intrigued to know that DxO tested the dynamic range of velvia and came up with over 11 stops (using the same techniques they used to analyse there digital cameras). My own tests support this.

That's astonishing, but for the average photographer what does it mean?

It means that if you see some too dense shadows (i.e. that are -5 or -6 stops or possibly more) you should still take the shot and send it off to be drum scanned Also, there is usually a little bit more in the highlights than you might expect.. How much I can't really say at the moment as I still need to do a proper test.

There are also better drum scanners than I have (I think I can only get about 8 or 9 stops out of velvia 50).

Tim

[Paul Dunning]

It means that if you see some too dense shadows (i.e. that are -5 or -6 stops or possibly more) you should still take the shot and send it off to be drum scanned Also, there is usually a little bit more in the highlights than you might expect.. How much I can't really say at the moment as I still need to do a proper test.

There are also better drum scanners than I have (I think I can only get about 8 or 9 stops out of velvia 50).

Tim

Ah yes, I'd forgotten about drum scanning.

Paul

[dave_whatever]

Are you selling your grads then Tim?

[timparkin]

Are you selling your grads then Tim?

You could get away without them for some work but it still looks better with them I use them for my colour neg work too (although substitute one stop less soft instead of hard typically