Prints or slides?

LCSO_927 Aug 4, 2003

  1. LCSO_927

    LCSO_927 E-Mail Bounces

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    I get the impression that most "serious" photographers stick to slides, but I haven't figured out why. I've been using print film for years. I like being able to look at my pictures without holding them up to the light, and being able to scan them without a special scanner.

    So which do you prefer and why? Does it matter if you're shooting models or the prototype?
     
  2. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Mike, and there is no real answer to your question. Everyone has their own personal preferences. The "serious" as you say guys are probably looking to publish a book some day and the slides produce much better results for that. Personally, I like prints because you can show them around. As far as stuff on the internet, some people scan their prints at 1000dpi--it's wasted, and only makes huge files, because the monitor limits the presentation to 72dpi. Do what suits you best. :D :D
     
  3. Harron

    Harron TrainBoard Supporter

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    Anything I may want published, I will shoot slides. The color balance is better - it is a color negative, what you see is what you get. Unlike print film, where the chemicals can imbalance the color or come out incorrectly. Also, slides last longer (up to 50 years) when stored correctly without any fading or loss of color.

    When I'm just out shooting randomly or looking for modeling details (I am modeling the line I railfan heavily) I will shoot print film, as the prints are much easier to reference and look at.

    As for scanning, as Fitz said, 72 dpi is the best you can do on a computer screen. However, if you want to reprint, scan at maximum resolution, then save a copy at 72 dpi for online viewing (this is what I do).
     
  4. BrianS

    BrianS E-Mail Bounces

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    Slides are the defacto standard in publishing, although digital is starting to change this. Anyone looking for a future for their photographs (beyond a snapshot for sharing with friends, at least) shoots slides.

    Slides also produce better images than negatives. They have finer grain and generally better color reproduction. Talking about prints opens a whole new can of worms. In short, slides are *exactly* how you shot them, there is no margin for adjustment in processing wheras prints could be completely different from the negative, depending on who is processing them.
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I prefer slides. Two reasons. One- When sharing with a gathered group of friends, everyone can be looking at the same item at once. Not trying to crowd together. Or awaiting a passed around print.

    Two- Not needing to dig out a magnifying glass. A projected slide can bring out details more clearly. For modeling purposes, seeking historical proof, etc.

    I have a hand held slide viewer as well. So I do not need to dig out a projector when I wish to look at something.

    :D

    Boxcab E50
     
  6. BrianS

    BrianS E-Mail Bounces

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    Okay, I'll toss this out for further exploration, what slide film do y'all use and why?
     
  7. Greg Elems

    Greg Elems Staff Member

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    My film of choice has been Kodachrome 64. I have been shooting it since 1975 and have been happy with it. The Ectachromes I shot back then were too cool for my tastes. Other color slide film has deteriorated in the last 20 years. The Fuji films are nice, and since K64 is getting to be a pain to buy and process, I am looking at Fuji as a replacement. Trouble is, I have started using a digital and seldom grab the Nikon anymore.

    Greg Elems
     
  8. Greg Elems

    Greg Elems Staff Member

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    My film of choice has been Kodachrome 64. I have been shooting it since 1975 and have been happy with it. The Ectachromes I shot back then were too cool for my tastes. Other color slide film has deteriorated in the last 20 years. The Fuji films are nice, and since K64 is getting to be a pain to buy and process, I am looking at Fuji as a replacement. Trouble is, I have started using a digital and seldom grab the Nikon anymore.

    Greg Elems
     
  9. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    K64. I like the warmer, earthy tones it produces. But as it's getting harder to find and be processed, probably eventually do Fuji. If I can ever re-motivate myself to take out the camera and shoot more slides.

    :D

    Boxcab E50
     
  10. Harron

    Harron TrainBoard Supporter

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    Have used the Fuji Provia 100F pretty regularly now after some experimentation. Gonna play with the new Velvia 100 (used the 50 once or twice, I like it with greens). I have plans to try the Provia 400F as well.
     
  11. BrianS

    BrianS E-Mail Bounces

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    I guess the guy asking all the questions should 'fess up a bit himself, eh? I'm all Fuji at the moment. Provia 100F for most daytime shooting, Velvia 50 (so strange having to specify the speed of that...) for sunrise/sunset work, and Astia for the night stuff. Neopan 100 and 400 for B&W work.

    Going to try some of the new Kodak E100G with my next order to B&H, as well as some Velvia 100F and Astia 100F.
     
  12. Fred

    Fred TrainBoard Member

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    I changed over from prints to slides back in 1976 for two reasons- cheaper and the fact that all my rail friends hosted slide shows that were entertaining and I wanted to be able to contribute. Been shooting Kodak slides ever since! K-64 is the usual but I do (hard to find anymore) like to use asa 25 as well. I have been reluctent to change from Kodak to anything else only because my Kodak slides look the same now as when I shot the picture over 30 years ago and I don't know if the other brands will hold their color for that long a time without fading. LONG LIVE SLIDES !!!
     
  13. BrianS

    BrianS E-Mail Bounces

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    Absolutely amazing the difference between photos shot on K'chrome and E6 films. Was at Summerail this weekend and one could tell without much second guessing what type of film was used. K'chrome slides were less vibrant with a distinct reddish hue; E6 photos had more saturated colors and an overall better look. Viva la Velvia! (Okay, so it sounded good... I really don't know any Spanish.)
     
  14. Harron

    Harron TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have to agree with Brian here. I bought a few rolls of different films when I first moved to shooting slides. I like the E6 much better than the K64, the difference was remarkable.
     
  15. ajy6b

    ajy6b TrainBoard Member

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    I am a big fan and convert to Fuji Provia F 100. It has a very good grain and is more versatile. I used k-chrome 64 for a long time but then started having problems with the processing. The best grain film I probably used was k-chrome 25, but everytime I put a roll of film of that in my camera the weather would turn cloudy for a month :D So now I use the Fuji 100 Provia F.

    As for the 400, that too is a great film. I highly recommend that. It is a little more grainy than the 100F, but it is not that noticeable. Someone told me that the grain values in the 400f were equal to Ecktachrome 100 and the 100F grain value was better/lower than k-chrome 64. But from my personal experience. I would have to look very hard to tell the difference between 100F and 400F Provia by Fuji.

    As for Velvia. I used the 50 a couple of times. If you like lush green trees and very blue locomotives, e.g. the old Conrail in the summertime. Then this was the film for you. I found Velvia exaggerated the greens and blues.

    Unfortunately, I think within the next 5-10 years it will be hard to find a good print film and probably slide film as well. Digital cameras have come a long way, and now some companie's are making digital bodies that will use your lenses from your 35mm SLR.
    I think the print film will go first, because professionals still like slides. Also the average print film user is not as picky with the grain and prefers the instant satisfaction of the digital camera. A good digital camera that could rival slides is still rather pricy. A good 35mm SLR set up can be had for around $500 while the rival quality for a digiatal camera is 8-10 times that amount.
     
  16. sd70mac

    sd70mac TrainBoard Member

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    I am not a pro by a longshot, but I have taken a few pics and have been very pleased with the results. My pics were taken with a point and shoot camera with usually 200 speed and then developed directly to a CD at Sam's Club.

    The URL to my galleries below.

    http://community.webshots.com/user/meabbott

    [ 12. August 2003, 15:11: Message edited by: sd70mac ]
     
  17. BrianS

    BrianS E-Mail Bounces

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    Attending Summerail this past weekend has reaffirmed my belief in Fuji slide film. I could pick out the film used for most shots and definately preferred the blue/green of the Fuji films. The absolute best show of the evening was clearly shot on K'chrome and this was very detracting. The colors were dull and all the skies had a muddy reddish hue to them. In the end, Fuji is the way to go.
     

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