Shooting slide film is tedious if you aim to achieve accurate exposure settings for every shot. Unlike the C41 films, slide films have limited exposure latitude. After the first failed attempt and some trouble-shooting, I picked up Fuji Velvia 50 slide film to shoot again!
You can read about my first attempt and where to develop E6 slide film in Bangkok here.
Fuji Velvia 50
It is encouraged for beginners to adopt a technique called ‘bracketing’ while using slide films. It means you do the first shot with a ‘correct setting’ according to a light meter or sunny 16 (even your gut feeling), then you increase and decrease a stop for the following two shots.
I do not have a professional light meter such as Sekonic. So, I rely on my gut feeling, Nikon FM2’s in-built light meter and maybe a little Sunny 16 rules.
Yes, I am wasting a lot of shots :>
Bracketing Shot 1
Fuji Velvia 50, 1/125, f8, look underexposed (2017)
Fuji Velvia 50, 1/125, f5.6, quite properly exposed (2017)
Fuji Velvia 50, 1/125, f4, overexposed (2017)
I shoot the above photos under sunny yet shady condition where the cat was resting (shielded by trees & shadow). From the three shots above, I think the best exposure would be the second one (1/125, f5.6).
Bracketing Shot 2
Fuji Velvia 50, 1/125, f5.6 (2017)
Fuji Velvia 50, 1/125, f8, one stop down (2017)
Fuji Velvia 50, 1/125, f4, one stop up (2017)
By now, you should be convinced that in slide film, one stop up or down from a ‘correct’ setting can make a huge difference.
Look at the first picture where I shoot at 1/125, f5.6, the grass at the foreground was overexposed. But, when I decreased a stop (1/125, f8), the area under shade was underexposed, and the grass was nicely exposed.
As a hobbyist and noob slide film shooter, I do not know how to counter this issue. Anyone’s got any idea?
Shot 3
Fujifilm Velvia 50, 1/125 f11, overexposed (2017)
Fujifilm Velvia 50, 1/125, f16, nicely exposed (2017)
Shot 4
Fujifilm Velvia 50, 1/125, f4, overexposed (2017)
Fujifilm Velvia 50, 1/125, f5.6, nicely exposed (2017)
Shot 5
Fujifilm Velvia 50, 1/125, f11, nicely exposed (2017)
Fujifilm Velvia 50, 1/125, f8, overexposed (2017)
More shots
Fujifilm Velvia 50, forgot to record the setting…
Fujifilm Velvia 50, 1/125, f4 (2017)
Fujifilm Velvia 50, 1/125, f1.8 (2017)
Surprised that shot was not blown away with the f1.8 aperture…
Fujifilm Velvia 50, 1/125, f8 (2017)
Colours of Fuji Velvia 50
Personally, I feel that the colours of Velvia is very vibrant, quite similar to the Ektar 100. But Velvia is more intense, the red is super red.
Moreover, if the exposure is accurate, this film gives the retro 80s’ vibe.
Conclusion
I shot this film 2 years ago! Perhaps I could have written more about the experience if I didn’t procrastinate. Memory is vague now.
Nonetheless, if you have not tried any slide film, I hope this blog post has given you a glimpse of what to expect when you shoot one next time 🙂 And also letting you see that one stop can make a huge difference. When overexposed, you lose a lot of details.
On the other hand, if you have very good tips/experience with slide film, please feel free to comment so we all can learn!
Thanks for giving us the advantage of your experience. Back in the ’60, ’70’s, and ’80’s, my dad shot slide film almost exclusively. I never used slide film I accidentally ordered Fuji Provia (I was mesmerized by a really good price at B&H) – two cartons of five rolls each, 36 exposures.
Oh well. I shot all of it in December and January, but I haven’t had it developed yet. I strongly suspect most of my shots will be very dark or mostly washed out. We shall see.
Thanks again for your post. Take care,