Fujichrome users: Astia vs. Provia, the real difference?

[Ghetto Photo Girl]

Both claim to have fabulous fine grain technology, one touts itself as perfect for fashion, the other perfect for pushing. So which one is REALLY better for portraiture? Or does it just come down to personal preference?

[thousandwords]

I don't know (haven't used either) but I'm rather curious about this as well.



If I were to take a wild guess, I'd say that Provia has normal contrast/saturation while Astia is a low-contrast film?

[spencer_robertson]

Hi,



I have used both for portraiture a couple times (I am not a pro at it yet) and I would have to say that I like Astia a lot better for people. It is really beautiful.



I was in a interemediate photography class and there was a PJist there that had been working for 30 years for a newspaper. (she was there to learn studio lighting and such) She had been using a Canon D30 for a while, but our teacher really wanted her to use slide. So she bought some Astia and shot an assignment with both the digi and Astia. She said that she would be shooting Astia exclusively now. She said it was amazing for people.



Spencer Robertson [IMG]/ibb/skins/default/emoticons/cool.gif[/IMG]

[spencer_robertson]

Damn computer double post.

[runamuck1]

According to Pop's own film guide (home page, click on film) Astia is good for product, fashion and portrait photography. Stay away from Velvia for portrait work.



You don't really want to mess with pushing film for portraits. It may be okay for club work, but for portrait, stick with Astia.

[DrBill]

Trying to keep track of the different Fuji slide flavors is a little mind numbing. Astia and Sensia 100II are supposed to be the same emulsion and are not significantly enhanced. Provia 100F is color enhanced and has a tighter grain structure which is one reason it is more pushable. I've heard that the original Provia 400 is the same as Sensia 400 but I don't think the Provia 400F emulsion is available in a consumer version. I've started to use Sensia 100II for wildlife shooting as an economy measure. I prefer Provia 100F for butterflies and Velvia for landscapes and flowers. ><>

[Ghetto Photo Girl]

Runamuck, Velvia is not part of this discussion.



I know that the Astia is excellent for portraits, but is the enhanced color or grain, or whatever it is that sets the Provia 100 apart that much better for portraits?



Obviously I'm not going to push anything. I just want to know if these two films differ by much more than price (and sometimes, not even that), for this given situation.

[CUclimber]

Good info so far, but I have a question. I want to start shooting slide film (I've used negatives exclusively up until now, mostly Superia 100 and 400) and I could use a suggestion on where to start.



I've heard that Velvia is pretty bad for portrait-type work because it's so saturated, but is there such thing as a general-purpose slide film? It sort of sounds like Provia would work well for what I shoot, which can vary quite a bit- everything from sports to occasional landscapes.



¶

[photo41]

quote:Originally posted by Ghetto Photo Girl:

Runamuck, Velvia is not part of this discussion.



I know that the Astia is excellent for portraits, but is the enhanced color or grain, or whatever it is that sets the Provia 100 apart that much better for portraits?



gpg.....provia is more like a 100 speed velvia in a way. not as saturated but def. color enhanced. so to answer your question, astia is what u want to stick to for portraits. use provia for landscape, action, night, and cloe up work etc. the main diff between the 2 films is color saturation and contrast. kinda like nps(astia) and reala(provia) using print film references.





by the way...when u become a rich and famous photographer, will u then be Suburban Photo Girl ?

[Ghetto Photo Girl]

quote:Originally posted by 1EOS3forme:



by the way...when u become a rich and famous photographer, will u then be Suburban Photo Girl ?



*whispering* don't tell anyone, but I actually am already in the suburbs. shhh!



When I become a rich and famous indie film producer, I'll drive a Porsche (written into my contract of course! [IMG]/ibb/skins/default/emoticons/biggrin.gif[/IMG] ), but I will ALWAYS be a Ghetto Photo Girl!



CUclimber, there is a lot of variation in slide film, starting from pro to consumer grades. My advice is to use the best available within your means. That said, people claim that the consumer-grade Fuji films are pretty close to their pro counterparts, so maybe starting off "cheap" is okay.



Second, there is subject matter. As you have heard, Velvia is great for it's super saturated candy colors, but that also makes it horrible for portraits. I use Provia 400F for it's versatility (I shoot a lot in dark clubs), but prefer the slower stuff for portraits (which prompted me to start this thread). So you're probably right to stick with the Provia, especially since you can push it safely without worrying too much about screwing with the contrast and grain.