Re: New Fuji Film: Astia

[P3D <gnored@xxxxxxx>]

 Gregory J. Wageman writes:

> The only Fuji film I use is Velvia.  There is no question that Velvia
> produces *extremely* saturated colors.  It was the perfect film for
> the antique and high-performance autos I shot recently.  It turned out
> to be an interesting "experiment", because Susan was shooting Royal
> Gold print film in the Revere.  We took several shots of the same cars.
> 
I believe that Velvia's colors are *extremely* saturated only when it 
is exposed at ASA 50, which, IMO, is significantly under-exposed. 
It's been mentioned on this list that even Fuji believes Velvia to be 
an ASA 32 film. I shoot it at 25, and sometimes at 18. Though some of 
this difference is no doubtedly due to shutter errors, I've shot 
Velvia at around ASA 25 in 3 stereo cameras with excellent results. 
Shot at these speeds, Velvia looks very much like Provia -- bright, 
clear, and real. it captures West Texas skies just like I see 'em, 
*Blue* 

I think more folks should try "over-exposing" this fine film more 
often. I believe it must have quite an extended "knee" or whatever 
they call it at the bright-end. It is possible to create very bright 
images and still have plenty-o color. 

Incidentally, when I want to enhance the effect of a rainy day, I 
move the exposure more to the ASA 32-50 side. Done this way the 
colors look dark and saturated, like they do (subjective opinion 
here, of course) in real life -- not dark and gloomy.

Jeez! I just realized I'm sounding like a commercial. No connection 
to Fuji, of course. I just think that it is a remarkably "expressive" 
film, and more versatile than most would believe. I even know a 
wedding photographer who uses it sometimes -- says his clients love 
it! I like it for Black skin, but I think it makes Caucasians look a 
little too pink ... sunburned even.

Enough -- back to work,

Gary Nored


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