What's new
DPR Forum

Welcome to the Friendly Aisles!
DPRF is a spin-off of dpreview. We are a photography forum with people from all over the world freely sharing their knowledge and love of photography. Everybody is welcome, from beginners to the experienced professional. From smartphone to Medium Format.

DPRF is a community for everybody, every brand and every sensor format. Digital and film.
Enjoy this modern, easy to use software. Look also at our Reviews & Gallery!

Film suggestions for desert MiddleEast

G

Guest

Hi, I am going on a roundtrip of the Middle-East in February and March, and wonder if anyone has advice on what film (slides only) that best captures the colours and light at this hemisphere? I will be using a Nikon 50mm/1.8 and my Contax T3.

Shots will be desert landscapes, architecture, but also in low light conditions, like bazaars and narrow streets.
I've suggested for myself, Provia 100F for all architecture and landscape shots, 400F for streetscenes, and perhaps Agfa B&W slides when shooting inside bazaars (due to cheap fluorescent lighting)??

Btw, is the Nikkor AF 50mm/1.8 sufficient? I'm on a tight budget so no huge investments can be made. Is a tighter lens worth it? I've been thinking about an 85mm for pictures taken at a distance.

Thanks for any replies!
 
Oh, and I've been reading about these rumors that Provia 400F and Sensia 400 are identical. What about the 100F? What is the main difference between the two? I am going to get the some of the slides scanned and printed, so grain is an issue. Plus, I really do want natural colours.

Sorry for all the questions, hope it's not too irritating...
 
> A better lens for travel photography would be a 28mm not a longer lens. There will be very few things you will want to bring up close, except maybe people. You didn't say which middle east country...be careful who or what you image.
 
>I hope Morten is aware that February and March of 2003 will probably see >the fiercest part of the fighting in the war against Iraq. Westerners >visiting at that time will probably have all kinds of far more serious >concerns than just what film to bring. And because much of the Middle >East will be in a war zone, photography may prove dangerous to your health.

James C. Miller
 
When I travel, I used 99% of my 24-85mm zoom with my N1.Now I have given up lugging long lenses since I do not take much protraits when travel.

Morten, from the kind of pictures that you described to be taking, I think wilder lens will be better.

For films, I think the provia 100F and 400F are great for the subjects that you are planning to shoot.

Have fun and play it safe.
 
No need to worry, James, I'm not going to play war photographer. On the other hand, as long as you use common sense and have respect for the culture of the region, Middle-East, particularly Syria, is reconed to be a very safe area to travel. Practically no muggings or theft, and local people are extremely friendly. Just keep a safe distance from the Israeli and Iraqi border- which means I'm not going there at all if they decide to attack Iraq... :-(
 
I cannot really fault your choice of Provia F 100 and 400 - I use them all the time and the 400 behaves just like the 100 except for being 2 stops faster . I suggest you might want to take a few rolls of Velvia too - it is good for desert landscapes which often have insufficient contrast and colour for those really memorable shots . I've never used Agfa Scala , but I understand it can be a little demanding and would thus suggest you consider something else - something realy fast for when you get in a jam . If you're concerned about colour casts in awkward lighting , maybe a small flash is the answer? Also , as someone else suggested , I'd take a wider lens for landscapes , but I personally also wouldnt travel without something a bit longer too....... Steve p.s. hope nobody is stupid enough to start a war in that region anytime soon.......
 
Hi!

Nobody out there using slide material by Agfa? I like the RSX II slide films by Agfa, because of there natural colours. Agfa Scala b/w slide film is quite expensive. Somebody told me that it is possible to use ILFORD XP2 b/w print film (C40 process) as a slide film. In this case it should be exposed as ASA 100 and processed like a slide film (E6). Any experiences out there?

Reinhold Schulte

PS: Have fun in the desert.
 
Yes, Agfa Scala b/w slide film is expensive but I love it because of the very fine graduation of
tones. I could imagine that this could create great shots in a desert. The Agfa Scala manages the contrasts better than any other film I do know.
 
Reinhold, yes, you can use ILFORD XP2 or Kodak Portra 400B/W or 400 TCN B&W negatives to cross process from C41 to E6. These films are ISO/ASA 400. For cross process, you need to shoot at ISO 50, and push one stop when process. It will give you the correct exposure for the cross processing. Each film gives a little different tone. The Scala b/w looks cleaner though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top