Slide film used to be the go-to medium for capturing stunning images on camera until the 1970s. Nowadays, it’s no longer a common choice for most photographers, with only a few using it for experimental purposes. However, for those who still appreciate the unique qualities of slide film, there are still a few options to choose from in 2024. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at which slide films are still available and what makes them special. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, this guide will help you find the perfect slide film for your next photography project. So, let’s explore the world of slide film together!
What is slide film?
Slide film, also known as color reversal film, is a type of photographic film that produces a positive image on a transparent base. Unlike negative film, which produces a negative image that needs to be printed onto paper to produce a positive image, slide film creates a positive image directly on the film itself. This results in a unique aesthetic that is characterized by vivid colors, sharpness, and contrast. One of the biggest differences between slide film and negative film is that slide film is more sensitive to exposure, which means that proper lighting conditions are crucial when shooting with it. It can also be used in a variety of ways, including in slide projectors for projection on a large screen or in mounted slide mounts for viewing on a light table.
Why should I try out slide film?
If you’re an experimental photographer, you should definitely try out and experiment with slide film to explore a new world of creative possibilities. One of the main advantages of slide film is the unique aesthetic it provides, with punchy colors, high contrast, and sharpness that is unmatched by other types of film. Using slide film also requires a greater attention to detail, which can help you develop your photography skills and refine your artistic vision. It has a nostalgic charm that can add a special quality to your work, making it stand out from the digital crowd and color negative crowd. Getting your first developed roll back, and taking a look at your positives is really an amazing feeling and very different from the color negative film experience.
Is slide Film still available and where can I buy it?
Yes, slide film is still available, although its availability has decreased significantly in recent years due to the rise of color negative photography and the higher price point. However, some major film manufacturers such as Kodak, Fujifilm, and Ilford still produce slide film. You can still find it in local camera stores or order it online from retailers such as B&H Photo Video, Adorama, Amazon, and Film Photography Project. Keep in mind that slide film processing is also not as widely available as standard color negative film processing and prices are a lot higher.
In which ISO is slide film still available?
Slide film is still available in different ISO speeds, but it’s not common to find it in higher ISO. Slide film is usually offered in lower ISO speeds due to technical limitation. Higher ISO films tend to have drawbacks like a even more limited dynamic range, larger grains, and less color saturation. These issues can make it difficult to achieve the desired level of quality as the film is less capable of capturing details in the shadows and highlights.
As the ISO increases, there is a greater chance of the film producing a grain pattern that distracts from the final image and interferes with the accuracy of color and tone reproduction. Although it’s possible to produce positive slide film in higher ISO, it can be challenging to get an acceptable quality that compares to lower ISO films or high ISO negative film.
Which slide film should you buy?
I hope that you’re now intrigued and excited to try out this unique form of analog film. While many slide film stocks have been discontinued in recent years, there are still some excellent options available on the market. We’ve picked our favorite choices and are happy to showcase them here for you.
Best color slide film recommendations
Fujifilm Fujichrome Velvia 50
Fujifilm’s Fujichrome Velvia 50 Professional film is a daylight-balanced color transparency film that boasts exceptional color saturation and vibrancy. It delivers a neutral gray balance and captures extended detail in both the highlight and shadow regions. This film has a slow-speed nominal sensitivity of ISO 50/18° and can be pulled half a stop or pushed one stop without compromising color balance or tonal gradation. Moreover, Velvia 50 showcases a fine grain structure, producing high sharpness and resolving power, making it suitable for various shooting applications.
Fujifilm Fujichrome Provia 100F
Fujifilm’s Fujichrome Provia 100F Professional RDP-III is a color transparency film that’s perfect for daylight photography. It has an ultra-fine grain structure that creates natural and vivid colors, along with rich tonal rendition. This film has a medium-speed nominal sensitivity of ISO 100/21° when processed in E-6, CR-56, or C6R processes, and you can easily pull it one half stop or push two stops without worrying about color balance or gradation. It’s great for long exposures too, with excellent reciprocity characteristics that keep the film speeds and coloring consistent.
This film’s medium overall contrast and saturation make it a versatile option for a wide range of photographic applications, including product, landscape, nature, portraiture, and fashion photography. If you’re looking for a high-quality film that can capture true-to-life colors and fine details, Fujichrome Provia 100F is definitely worth considering.
Kodak Ektachrome E100
Kodak’s Professional Ektachrome E100 is a fantastic color transparency film that’s perfect for shooting in natural daylight. It’s known for its incredibly fine grain structure, which produces vivid colors and a low contrast profile. The lower contrast values give you a wider dynamic range, and a neutral tonal scale means more accurate color representation. Plus, a low D-min ensures that your whites will be bright and pure.
When developed in the E-6 process, this film has a medium-speed nominal sensitivity of ISO 100/21°. But what really sets it apart is the smooth grain profile and micro-structure optimized T-GRAIN emulsion, which make it perfect for scanning applications. If you’re looking for a film that delivers superb color accuracy and a wide dynamic range, Kodak’s Professional Ektachrome E100 is definitely worth checking out.
Best black and white slide film recommendations
Adox Scala 50 BW
Adox’s Scala 50 Black and White Reversal Film is a top-quality option for photographers looking to shoot in black and white. This high-resolution film has a super-fine grain structure that creates strikingly sharp images. The film is coated onto a 120μm triacetate base and contains a high silver content, which adds to the overall image quality.
One of the standout features of this film is its anti-halation layer, which sits between the base and emulsion layers. This layer helps to eliminate unwanted reflections and provides excellent resolving power and contour sharpness. If you’re looking for a black and white film that can deliver exceptional detail and contrast, Adox’s Scala 50 is definitely worth checking out.
Fomapan R100
Foma’s Fomapan R100 is a top-quality medium speed black and white transparency film designed for creating slides. When developed in the R-100 process, it has a nominal speed rating of ISO 100/21°. One of the things that sets this film apart is its ability to capture a wide range of grey tones in both highlight and shadow regions.
The film’s panchromatic sensitivity means it can accurately reproduce a full range of color tones in grey scale when shot in daylight conditions. And thanks to an anti-halo layer integrated between the film base and emulsion, you can expect high image sharpness and resolving power with fine grain and high contrast. If you’re looking for a black and white film that can deliver exceptional detail and tonality in your slide photography, Fomapan R100 is definitely worth considering.
