I generally use Fuji myself but am about to by a large amount and was wondering if anyone had preferences regarding Fuji vs. Kodak, 400 vs. 800 IS0, and whether anyone knows the difference between the common types and what Fuji calls Press Film and Kodak refers to as Professional film. Surprisingly to me the Press and Professional films can be purchased less expensively. Are they as good grain and latitude wise as the more common brands?
I like the colour-saturation of Fuji film. Fuji photos just look more vibrant to me.
Hmm. I always used the lowest number possible. and prefer Fuji.
If you can use 100, use it. I mean, if you are outside taking bright non-action photos, you should be shooting w/ 100 speed. I always understood that the ‘faster’ film was, then the lower quality of grain and color. 100 = best grain and saturation and best for enlarging prints. 1600 might capture action because it needs little light, so you get faster shutter speeds, but this comes at the cost of quality and grain (can’t blow these up much)
I prefer Fuji over Kodak. Just seem to get better color saturation all around.
I think the prof film is supposed to be better. No real strng experience here.
My favorite films are no longer made.
I liked Agfa Ultra (ASA 50). Explosive colors! However, it did not do well with skin tones.
Also the defunct Kodak Ektar 25. I had one blown up to 16"x20"–and it was still sharp.
Now I typically use Fuji 100 for color and Ilford 50 for B/W.
I watched 60 Minutes or something like it and they took professional photographers and gave them cameras loaded with different brands of film and had them go out and take photos and rate the film. WALGREEN’S house brand won hands down. Go figure.
I believe that’s made by Agfa, which really makes it’s money on private labelling.
The difference with Pro films is basically that it’s aged to optimum, then shipped and stored cold, to keep it as close to optimum as possible. (Optimum meaning as close to the desired color response it was designed to have as possible.) So, it gives more consistent results than Consumer versions, which may have been on the shelf for a year or may have rolled off the mill last week. Unprocessed film is not “shelf stable”, so always check the expiration date. Generally, you want it to be about 6 months past the day you intend to use it.
If you’re just looking for an “all around” film, I’d go with Kodak’s Gold Max 400. It’s moderately fast, has much finer grain that 400’s from just a few years ago, and it’s cheap.
If you have more specialized needs, let us know.
Earl, have you tried Velvia? If you like vibrant color, that’s your puppy.
Davebear,
Thanks for the info. I generally shoot either 400 or 800, since I don’t do much in the way of poster size reprints. I also ordered some 200 since I’ll be taking alot of outdoor pictures, and whether or not there is a significant difference in grain there is a slight price advantage. Interesting about the professional film and time to optimally use a roll.
For extremely saturated color I really like to use Fuji slide film, such as Fuji Sensia 100. Great for sticking in the slide scanner, but difficult for making prints.
Philster is absolutely correct that slower films will have better saturation and finer grain.
If I’m using automatic settings on the fly, I like 800. I always get the shot & can still pop up & down the F-stops for some different effects on the same shot. OK, Yes, 800 has more grain, what with the advances that have been made, its hardly something you’ll see in your prints. One thing’s for sure, you’ll get your shot before it gets away and maybe a second or third too.
I’ll put it to you this way: When’s the last time you blew up a print to a size larger than 4x6? Personally, I haven’t done that since I was 18, so playing with slow film isn’t for me. Besides: I hate those National Geographic style blurrs from anything faster than a snail that ends up in my shot. Also, If you use monster zooms (80-300 or larger/longer) you might need the extra light sensitivity…
friedo! My man 
Snap (haha) Fuji Sensia 400 was always my favourite for running around with back when I used to take photos. I am considering starting again. Does slide scanning work well?