P3D Re: Slide film recommendations please

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Linda Nygren wrote:
> Rob wrote:
> > 
> >       In my opinion, NONE of the other slide films ISO 200 and above
> > (this includes the discontinued Ektachrome Elite II 200 still found on
> > store shelves) are suitable for stereo UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, they are
> > just far too grainy - in print films, faster films have improved, but
> > this has not occurred in slide films (unless, that is, Kodak's new 200
> > is all its said to be)
> I would agree with this. I have tried a few rolls of Kodachrome 200
> (hoping for the color longevity I have seen in old Kodachrome slides)
> but I found it very grainy. I use Sensia II 100 now, and hope the colors
> last reasonably well over the next few decades, unlike some old
> Ektachrome and Fujichrome slides that I took 20 years ago which have
> faded (especially the Fujichrome). Does anyone know if the "new
> improved" E-6 films of recent years are likely to hold up better? -Linda

"The Permanence and Care of Color Photographs" by Henry Wilhelm &
Carol Brower provides the results of research into the longevity of
color materials.  The conclusions about slide film were that if you
are properly storing your Kodachrome images they will last longer than
properly stored Ektachrome.  If you are projecting your Ektachrome
regularly it will last longer than Kodachrome that is projected
regularly.  It seems that Kodachrome fades quickly under projection
(or maybe heat), whereas Ektachrome doesn't store as well as
Kodachrome.

This is a quick summary based on someone else's more detailed summary,
and it is probably best to track this book down and see for yourself.

In the end what film you use is a personal choice.  For instance, I
use Ektachrome because Kodachrome isn't available in Readyloads (a
preloaded film packet for 4x5), and I don't want to use different film
emultions for different formats.  Will my honeymoon stereo slides fade
in 50 years, maybe but I'll also have B&W stereo prints that won't.

-- 
Brian Reynolds                  | "Humans explore the Universe with five
reynolds@xxxxxxxxx              |   senses and call the adventure science."
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | - Edwin P. Hubble


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