Provia 100f question

[willryan42]

Not sure how many film shooters are on here, but I'm hoping someone can help me out.

I just recently got into color film, and picked up some fuji provia 100f. I got the negatives developed today and I'm kind of disappointed. I've been shooting digi for a while, so maybe I'm not used to film, but these don't look good to me. When I see film pictures on flickr, they look amazing, but these just look so antique-ish. Maybe it's just the subject. Is it because I haven't edited them yet? I just need some other opinions.

Here's an unedited example:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3406216326_95eafe4f36.jpg

Link to full size: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/340621...5eafe4f36_b.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3406216326_95eafe4f36_b.jpg)

[primoz]

First of all... Provia100F is slide film not negatives. This means developing goes different way then with negative films. Normally people who develop films should know, but I wouldn't be surprised if they wouldn't. So based on this, I would say this photo is like it is, because of cross processing... processing slide film with negative film procedure. It really doesn't look anywhere near normal Provia results.

[willryan42]

Damn. Yeah I just brought it into walgreens so I wouldn't be surprised if the cross processed it.

[René Damkot]

Yup, looks like cross processing...

Can be a nice effect, if that's what you're after. :lol:

[jacuff]

Right Provia is a color positive film (slide), not a negative film. I doubt you're WalGreens has an E-6 processing machine. Most places like WalGreens will use a send-out lab for E-6 processing or they will cross-process it with C-41 by mistake. (Sometimes cross processing is desired, but that's why a good lab will ask you how you want it processed.)

Now coming from digital, you're probably used to the digital way of shooting where you can get lazy/sloppy with your exposure and fix it in post processing. In general, you can't do this with slide film. You HAVE to nail the exposure. Slide film is less forgiving than print film which is generally less forgiving than digital. Keep shooting with films like Provia and Velvia. You'll find your skill as a photographer increase as you start to nail the exposures.

[randerson07]

If you intend to shoot more Provia, or slide films in general, you can get them processed for $5.88 at walmart. It will take up to 14 days, but its a nice cheap option. Just make sure when you fill out the envelope that in the special instructions your write in really big letters "PROCESS E6" also note on the envelope if you want the slides mounted or unmounted. If you have a slide projector, get them mounted. Projected well exposed and processed slides is a very wonderful experience.

If you want faster results you will have to find a pro lab somewhere near you.

[willryan42]

Thanks for the info guys. I intend on just scanning them to upload them online, or possible print later.

Can I just go grab these envelopes from walmart or do they take care of it? I've had enough frustration just telling them that I don't want prints, they seem to think I'm crazy. I wish they knew more about these processes...

And does anyone know if Ritz/wolf camera can develop these for me? Thanks in advance!

[randerson07]

Ritz/Wolf can not do E6, they use a send out service that will take up to 14 days, probably the same labs that Walmart uses anyways. And Wolf will charge you much more than the $6 that walmart does.

The envelopes at my walmart are laying on the counter, I grab one, fill it out and stick it in the drop box. Walmart employees dont open the envelopes they just box them out and ship them off to the lab.

[willryan42]

Sounds good, I'll have to check out walmart's service then. So how do you know when they arrive? Assuming that they get shipped back to walmart and then you pick them up and pay then.

And I see you're from Illinois too, do you find walmart being your best bet? I don't really have any photo labs/stores around me, besides helix downtown and calumet, but I don't know if they process film.

[randerson07]

Ive recently started using PJs camera in Glen Ellyn for all my medium format and E6 work. Little more exspensive but they do slides on site for a decent price and it only takes a day or two.

I use the Walmart in Bloomingdale because I drive by it every day on the way to and from work, and I just start stopping in after about day 11 to check and see if they have arrived yet

For 35mm negative film I use Target, for processing only next day service it only cost $0.96 thats right 96 cents.

For black and white I process and print my own in my darkroom(bathroom).

[willryan42]

Jeez! I've been developing black and white at school, but for color negatives walgreens charges about $2.15. I'm definitely going to check out target.

Thanks for the tips randerson!

[HappySnapper90]

If you're going to get into film, do it right and avoid drug or discount stores like Walgreen and Walmart. Take it to a good camera store that develops their OWN film. I've heard many if not most Walmarts don't develop film anymore and they send it out... to somewhere. And those that work at Walgreens can't know anything about the film they are processing. The person that did your Provia probably didn't know the difference between negative and positive film or even what slide (positive) film is!

You'll pay more at a camera store but if you're shooting good film, get good developing. And when I shoot film, including slide, I don't do any "processing" after I scan it. Unless it is a slide exposure that is under exposed.