Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/10/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Robert, I too like Velvia, though I find its colors can be too much for some applications. But what I really want to suggest is another thought for you to consider about Kodachrome 200. Yes, compared to a modern, supersaturated E-6 film of 100 or 50 ISO, K-200 looks much poorer on the light table or projected. But that's not what this film is all about. It shines in low-light situations where those films aren't the best option or aren't even possible. One of its main characteristics is a very pleasing grain struture. The grain lends a feel of increased accutance, almost in the same way a well-printed Tri-X neg can convey impact through its grain as well as its tones. K-200 can transmit a gritty feel that is wonderful for street photography. It's also very nice at dusk or magic hour, giving nice life and feel to scenes. And it's great indoors in low-light tungsten, warm and uncorrected. What's more, Kodak offers a 1 and 1/3 stop push to 500. Your may see some color distortions and curve crossovers, but in some indoor scenes I find it works well. Actually, you may find greenies and other color weirdness with any Kodachrome emulsion, given the vagaries of Kodak's processing these days. That's a downside of any of the Kodachromes. That said, I don't shoot that much K-200, and none at all of the other Kodachromes any more. I like Provia a lot and can push it easily when I need 200 or something in between. And Kodak EPN when color correctness is paramount. But it's a great tool in the right application -- and often a perfect match for Leica shooting. Thanks for posting your impressions on all the films. Bill Garbutt, Robert wrote: > > Kodachrome 200 > - Don't know if I'm talking through my hat here but this film does > nothing for me. The contrast range and colour saturation of the K64 > seem to have gone. I would go to the extent of saying that this film is > lifeless if I didn't suspect that my inexperience with colour and > chromes was a contributing factor to my relatively poor results. K200? > Count me out. >