Color film: Slide vs. Negative

[gesper]

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I have no intention of using a slide projector, and my ultimate goal will be large prints, most often from scans. Is it better to scan color from slides or negatives?

[earleygallery]

Generally I think slides are best, if you want to make colour prints - you have the slide as a reference point to obtain the correct colours in the final print as well.

 

That said I used to use slide film almost exclusively but now I mostly use colour neg film - making b&w conversions in PS.

[bill]

Same here. For colour print I use Fuji Reala.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[marke]

Color negatives offer a larger tonal range than slides, so you are more likely to retain detail in both the highlights and in the shadows. I can see no reason to shoot slides other than the intention to view them as slides.

[Photoskeptic]

I have not used color negative film in eight years. Slides may be a bit more fussy about exposure, but the color depth and clarity and ease of handling, IMO, makes it worthwhile. Still shooting Velvia and Provia.

[stunsworth]

Scanning is a bit of a dilema because slide film will probably give you the best colour, put negative film is far easier to scan. It's very easy with slide film to get blocked up shadows if the shot was taken on a bright day.

 

On balance I'd tend to favour negative film if you intend scanning, but expect to have to put a little work into the scanning process. Or shoot a relatively flat film such as Astia. Personally I'd avoid Velvia like the plague as it's so contrasty and the reds in particular can easily become posterised - but then I think Velvia is a terrible film full stop <grin>.

[gesper]

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On balance I'd tend to favour negative film if you intend scanning, but expect to have to put a little work into the scanning process. Or shoot a relatively flat film such as Astia. Personally I'd avoid Velvia like the plague as it's so contrasty and the reds in particular can easily become posterised - but then I think Velvia is a terrible film full stop <grin>.

 

What film do you favor and what scanner do you use?

[andybarton]

I have just run through a roll of Portra 160NC and it's a mare to scan.

[stunsworth]

What film do you favor and what scanner do you use?

 

To be honest Trix-X - but that's just because I've scanned lots of it <grin>.

 

In terms of colour film I've scanned quite a bit of Fuji Reala, though I know that some others have had problems with Fuji film.

 

This is scanning on a Nikon Coolscan V.

[rob_x2004]

I uncheck colour space when scanning reala. Also the film is more sensitive to the way Lux handles the top end and highlights. Plain old Fuji 100 is easier to master in difficult lighting conditions.

[mgcd]

Kodak Portra 400, excellent range, details, colour and a pleasure to scan.

[NZDavid]

Fuji Astia has incredibly fine grain, scans well and contrast can be increased if desired. So should be excellent for large prints. That said, Fuji 400 print film is excellent if you don't need large prints, and it is brilliant in mixed and low light with neutral color rendition.

[thrid]

To be honest Trix-X - but that's just because I've scanned lots of it <grin>.

 

In terms of colour film I've scanned quite a bit of Fuji Reala, though I know that some others have had problems with Fuji film.

 

This is scanning on a Nikon Coolscan V.

 

Tri-X in three passes with an R,G and B filter and assembled in PS.

;-)

[usefeet]

It really depends on lighting. Slide film is the better film (detail and color) but is difficult in high contrast conditions and exposure.

Negative film is easier to manage but has a narrow range (dynamic range), and you will have problem to get the best color.

 

Sometimes I really like scanning slide film best.

 

So, use both! (They each have advantages and disadvantages)

[jandirk]

Hi all,

 

My experience is that negative film gives you more grain. I find that slide film gives you more detail, less grain and more clarity, although highlights and dark areas are more difficult to handle. I scan with a Imacon/Hasselblad at 3200 dpi, and mostly use Provia 100F and Provia 400. I actually prefer this over the results with DMR and M8 (an experience that came at a high price :-)

 

Regards,

JD

[martinb]

I prefer negative film and I'm not disturbed by a little grain. Fuji Reala is an amazing film!

[tgray]

I've not had any real problems scanning color neg...

[batmax]

Go for the negative film !!

they have a larger latitude and you'll not have problem of burned high lights or cropped

darked areas.

Use the slides only if you want to project them, but if your pourpose is scanning at the end the negative ... the negative are better

[frc]

Sensia: cheap, Provia: deep colours, Astia: hi iq, all scan well.

For the latitude negtives when needed, doesn't scan bad either.

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[hamey]

Simple answer.

 

For Leica quality shoot Slides.

 

Cheers.