film for carribean

[sblitz]

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have the good fortune of escaping the cold for a few days, and am going to take my film camera. usually use portra, have used ektar, and was wondering whether anyone had any suggestions for other films that captures the essence of how we think of island colors in our minds.

[2wk]

I was going to say Ektar, but perhaps you could try some slide film for really vibrant colors. Provia & Velvia are great.

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[jmr237]

I'd suggest Velvia. Just keep in mind that it is not good for skin tones.

 

In my mind, Ektar is to Portra as Provia is to Velvia.

[250swb]

With the (hopefully) contrasty sunlight I think I'd stick to Portra 160. You can always boost the colour and contrast in post processing, but it's less easy to dial out dense shadows and over saturated colour. As a wild card you could add some of the new CineStil 50 ISO daylight film, or indeed their 800 ISO tungsten film for the evenings of depravity. Both are outstanding and above all characterful.

 

Steve

[jmr237]

In my mind, Ektar is to Portra as Provia is to Velvia.

 

I think I got this backward. What I meant to say is:

 

Ektar -- Portra

Velvia -- Provia

[sblitz]

Steve -- I would've been more than happy to use the new cinestill 50 except Adam bought up all the outstanding supply until the end of February As for nighttime, best I leave the camera in the hotel

[philipus]

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I would have avoided slide film for most of the time at least if strongish sun and contrasty scenes are to be expected. The extra latitude of C41, not to mention its "malleability" in post, would be very useful. Portra or Superia 400 would have been my choice.

[smb]

I use Ektar ISO 100. You could even use lower ISO.

[A miller]

Ha ha, Steve. I'm happy to loan you a few rolls for your trip. Just PM me and we can meet downtown one morning next week.

 

I also have some expired Kodak Ektachrome 64 that could be cool for that vintage Love Boat-era look. You have have a roll of that as well.

 

Cinestill 800 could be nice at night by the beach or pool with the exterior lights and a fast lens.

 

I would also get some Fuji Pro 400H for that saturated look. Never mind that it is a relatively fast film. The colors are really nice. Great for sunsets.

 

I would also take portra 160 as has been suggested. I'll bet that it will render very nicely the sand on the beaches.

 

Ektar 100 would also be a must.

 

I would take a very cheap and light tripod, at least one of those that is very short and can be laid onto of a mantle or flat railing. That will come in handy for the sunsets.

 

see why you need a second film body!!!!!!

 

My post wouldn't be complete without telling you how jealous I am of you

 

Best,

adam

[sblitz]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I will go with Ektar . . . .

[A miller]

Only one film!!!

I've heard of one wife/girlfriend/partner. But a man is allowed to have more than one film with him at any point in time!!!

:)

[CalArts 99]

I say leave the camera gear at home and just bring your eating/drinking pants and a T-shirt and hang out on the beach and relax.

 

Anyway, have a great trip!

[LeicaBraz]

Some pirated film?

[wattsy]

Does it have to be colour film?

[sblitz]

When I get back to NYC in the cold its warming to look at my pictures of tropical climes

[adan]

I have to say I've never tried to pick and choose among films based on location or subject matter (except the basic choice of B&W vs. color).

 

I tried out films in a variety of situations, and picked ONE to become totally familiar with, based on overall rendition - and then just stuck with that film for any situation. I got better pictures through knowing one film intimately, than from swapping films around.

 

It's of note that Nat. Geo. Caribbean (and Latin America) photographer David Allen Harvey stuck with K25 until it disappeared, then switched to Velvia 50. During my own 2-year sojourn in Puerto Rico, I used the previous Fuji 50D, with a bit of Velvia at the end once Fuji changed emulsions.

 

Personally, given the textural details of the Islands (sand, ocean foam, stucco, fretwork/wood-grain architecture, palm fronds) - I'd still use the finest grain film possible. Given the history of the Caribbean and the mixing of races, skin tones beautifully cover the whole spectrum from slave-black to native-brown to Spanish/Moorish tan to Castilian/Anglo-Saxon white - so nothing you can "aim for" there.

 

If you are comfortable with Portra, I'd just use that. It does have the advantage, as Steve mentions, of a range of ISOs with similar rendering.

[A miller]

sounds principled and all, but I think this confuses work with pleasure and also assumes that one has the requisite intimate familiarity with one particular film as is really only the case after hundreds if not thousands of rolls of a particular film. Life is just too short for me on that.

[Doc Henry]

Steve I agree with all advices above

During my last mission in SE Asia * , a luminous country, I had 30 rolls of Kodak Portra 160,400 and TX400.

All rolls have been developed and without problem.I counsel you to buy at B & H antiXRay bag "Domke" like me,

not too expensive.

Good photos and good trip

Best

Henry

* http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/325507-pictures-mission.html

Edited January 12, 2015 by Doc Henry