A Wonderful Outdoor Slide Film

Fuji Provia 100F slide film is an exceptional slide film that is ideal for capturing scenic vistas, sunrises and sunsets, close-ups and other shots where you'll want to maximize the value of color saturation, fine grain and sharp images.

Fuji Provia 100F is one of Fuji's best all-around slide films for the reasons cited above and unlike the Velvia family of slide films, Provia's tonal gradations make it quite suitable for portrait work, as well.

Like all Fujichrome products, this slide film is developed using using E-6 processing. This also adds to the general convenience of this slide film. The local lab that I utilize in northern NJ typically turns slide film around in 24-48 hours and this shortened delivery schedule has permitted me to use my slides for enlargements and re-prints in short order. This can be a distinct advantage over KODACHROME slide film which requires mail-away processing by Kodak; this obviously increases the time-line from exposure to return to usage of the finished slides.

Here are some of my observations of this film after using several rolls back-to-back:

GRANULARITY:
Provia 100F possesses "superfine" grain. It is perhaps one of the finest grain slide films currently available. Despite its ISO 100 speed rating, my usage has shown that this film, when grain is considered compares quite favorably to the now discontinued by Kodak, Kodachrome 25. That says a lot about the superior crystal grain pattern in this emulsion and is perhaps the single most significant reason to use this film. The basically non-existent grain assists with the overall quality of reproducing power at which this film excels.

SHARPNESS:

This slide film is one of those products that comes along every so often that when viewed, takes your breath away. The sharpness, readily apparent to the naked eye is even more incredible when viewed through a loupe or small viewer. The incredible sharpness adds immeasurably to viewing enjoyment when these slides are projected, as well.

COLOR SATURATION:

Like all Fuji products, this film is more highly saturated than its competition from Kodak and significantly more so than slide film from Agfa of Germany. Because of the intensity of coloration, this is an exceptional film for scenic landscapes, especially when taking pictures of fall foliage or other colorful terrain such as Red Rocks in Colorado, the Painted Desert or the wildly colorful "painted ladies" (Victorian homes) in Cape May, NJ. Consistent with other Fujichrome products, there are certain key colors that show "super-saturation." These are reds, bright yellows, orange, and green. You may find some blues that will veer off from what you saw in the viewfinder, but I have not found that to be a disturbing consequence of usage.

Tonal gradations within lighter colors are well resolved and this film works much, much better for those photographers who take a lot of people pictures and want to know beforehand that complexions will be captured correctly and faithfully. Provia 100F does this quite well and you will not have to worry about your selection of slide film when shooting people with this emulsion in your camera.

Another feature of the saturation level of this film that I find particularly enjoyable (and useful) is its faithful delivery of colors EVEN when I use a warming filter in late afternoon. Base colors remain correct, but enjoy the added warmth imparted on the slide by the filter on the front of the lens. To be able to know early that this film handles the variations created by filters is a comforting feeling. This film is flexible enough to use in a variety of different ways and specialized filters seem to enhance its overall effectiveness.

CONTRAST:

This is a higher contrast film than print film, but a medium contrast slide film in my book. Because it handles a variety of potential shooting situations well, especially areas where contrast may not be desirable in the finished slide, this is a good everyday slide film. With moderate contrast slide films, I know I won't lose details. Provia 100F does not fail in this department, either.

EASE OF USE:

Howard Creech's review here of Provia 100F cites over and under exposure rates of 1 stop under to 1/2 stop over without significant image degradation. For those of you using manually selected bracketing, these numbers are 100% correct based on my use of Howard's figures. For folks using AF 35 mm cameras with auto-bracketing or dial-in sequential bracketing features, there is some leeway. This fudge factor is useful when shooting sunsets/sunrises and in brightly lit backgrounds with subject matter in the foreground. Some breathtaking imagery can be yours with the barest minimum of experimentation.

Like all slide films, forgiveness of exposure errors is NOT a strong suit of Provia 100F. In that regard, Provia 100F is no different. Print films can be corrected in developing; slide films are just not that tolerant and guessing on exposure settings can be costly. With AF cameras with their excellent metering capabilities, it can often be a lifesaver to defer to metered settings rather than lose a once in a lifetime shot.


As I have written here in other slide film reviews, I have a decided soft spot for Kodachrome 25 and 64. I also enjoy using Ektachrome 64 as well. I just seem to prefer the "naturally saturated" look of Kodak slide films. When I want extra saturation, I will use Kodak's very fine consumer grade slide film, ELITE CHROME 100 EXTRA. But these preferences do not mean that I won't use Provia 100F. Of all the Fujichrome products that I have experimented with and used with some consistency, I prefer Provia 100F. It does not bring with it the negative complexion resolution issues of Velvia 50 and 100 and because of that and its higher degree of saturation, it is an ideal everyday slide film.

If you will be using this slide film in bright daylight and where action is not a consideration, you could do far worse than to use Provia 100F. It is truly a professional quality slide film for photographers who expect and demand professional quality imagery.

This is a slide film that should be in every serious shooter's camera bag and repertoire. Give this film a try, I am certain you'll be very pleased with the results.