Film Tests

How films were tested:
Films were tested outdoors under average and mixed lighting conditions. Test target was the same chart I use for testing lenses. All films were also tested for portraits (except where noted) and outdoor subjects for color, contrast, grain and sharpness. I photographed the clear blue sky to test film grain. Some slide films were also pushed and tested.  A 100mm macro lens was used for all tests, because it is an exceptional lens in terms of sharpness and a good focal length for a wide variety of outdoor subjects and portraits. Slide films were examined on a light box with a high quality 8X loupe to check overall sharpness, color, contrast, grain and exposure. Some slides were also printed on 8X10, 11X14, and 16X20 Ilfochrome paper. This was not done for this test and were used for other purposes.
Print films were tested by making a contact sheet of several selected test targets and then making three 8X10 prints (one  8X10 print from the blank sky to check film grain). Since results and quality vary from lab to lab, I do all printing and processing in my own darkroom including these tests. I scanned several selected negatives to see the results and how each film performed when scanned. My decisions were not based on scanned results (except to check exposure latitude) since each scanners, printer and monitor is different. You may get better or worse results depending on your own system. You should run your own tests if you plan on scanning your film.

Slide films

ISO 50

Fujichrome Velvia

Specifications: ISO 50 daylight color slide film, abbreviation RVP. Available in 35mm, 120, 220, sheet film and 100 foot roll.

Test: Slow but extremely sharp slide film. Highly saturated, produces bold brilliant colors with smooth skin tones. Grain is very tight and almost invisible. It is closer to ISO 40 than 50. Velvia has very narrow exposure latitude. Exposure must be very accurate with this film, within 1/2 stop. Contrast is high. Film is capable of producing large prints up to 16X20 even in 35mm format with no loss of sharpness or visible grain. Velvia can be pushed one stop with no noticeable loss in quality. As with all films, contrast is increased especially when pushed 2 stops. Velvia also produces acceptable results when pushed two stops.

Verdict: Simply superb. Undoubtedly the sharpest color slide film available today. Velvia is the perfect choice for a wide variety of subjects. Nature photographers will be amazed with the colors, especially reds and greens. Portrait photographers will appreciate clean and smooth skin tones. Velvia's only draw back is its slow speed, especially with zoom lenses in low light. It should be rated at ISO 40 and processed normally. An excellent all around film.

Rating= Sharpness: A+, Grain: A+, Exposure latitude: B, Colors: A+
 

ISO 100

Fujichrome Provia 100F

Specifications: ISO 100 daylight color slide film, abbreviation RDP III. Available in 35mm, 120, 220, sheet film and100 foot roll.

Test: Very sharp medium speed professional slide film. Provia is saturated but not as much as Velvia. Grain is very tight almost matching the slower ISO Velvia. Exposure latitude is narrow. Provia produces bold colors and warm skin tones. It can be pushed up to two stops, with very good results when pushed one stop and good when pushed two stops. Film can produce quality enlargements with little or no visible grain or loss of sharpness.

Verdict: A medium speed extra fine grain film for general purpose photography. Excellent for outdoor portraits and nature photography. A faster version of Velvia, but a bit less saturated. The sharpest, finest grain ISO 100 slide film in the market. Perfect if you need a faster than Velvia film to use with slower lenses but with similar characteristics. It can be pushed to ISO 200 with very good results eliminating the need to purchase and carry ISO 200 films. Provia's grain and contrast also holds well when pushed two stops.

Rating= Sharpness: A, Grain: A, Exposure latitude: B, Colors: A
 

Fujichrome Sensia 100

Specifications: ISO 100 daylight color slide film, abbreviation RA. Available in 35mm.

Test: Very sharp film with rich colors. Grain is excellent and similar to Provia. It is saturated and high contrast film. Colors are brilliant and closer to real life with natural flesh tones. It can be pushed one stop with very good results. Exposure latitude is wider than professional version Provia. It does match the sharpness and grain structure of Provia. Sensia 100 can be pushed to ISO 200 with good results. Colors and contrast hold well when film is pushed.

Verdict: Amateur version of the popular Provia. Colors look bold and saturated. It is more forgiving in terms of exposure errors since it has more exposure latitude. Sensia 100 can be used for nature, wildlife, and portrait photography with pleasing results. I was surprised by its characteristics. Film is so sharp and fine grain that there is less reason to pay more for professional versions. It can be used for a wide variety of applications and enlargements.

Rating= Sharpness: A-, Grain: A, Exposure latitude: B+, Colors: A-
 

Kodak Elite chrome 100


Specifications: ISO 100 daylight color slide film, abbreviation EB. Available in 35mm.

Test: Extremely fine grain with excellent sharpness. Film produces closer to life colors, but a bit bolder. Portraits show nice clean skin tones. It is high contrast with good moderate exposure latitude. It can be pushed one stop with very good results. Although contrast is increased, grain remains fine. Film sharpness is among the best and closer to ISO 50 films.

Verdict: An excellent film from Kodak for general purpose photography. It is great for portraits and outdoor photography. It is not as saturated as Fuji Sensia making it a better choice for those who demand a film that produces more natural colors. It is one of the sharpest films available with excellent grain structure. With this film, Kodak does not need to make slower ISO 50 version.

Rating= Sharpness: A, Grain: A, Exposure latitude: B, Colors: A-

ISO 200

Fujichrome Sensia 200


Specifications: ISO 200 daylight color slide film, abbreviation RM. Available in 35mm.

Test: Faster version of popular Sensia 100, the ISO 200 version is less saturated, but very sharp and fine grain. Colors are bold and contrasty with smooth warm skin tones. It has wide exposure latitude. Sharpness and grain of this film is very close to ISO 100 films. It can be pushed one stop with little noticeable different in terms of contrast and grain.

Verdict: An all around film with high sharpness and very good grain structure. Colors are brilliant and skin tones are smooth making this Sensia film also a good choice for fashion photography. Its sharpness and grain are so close to the ISO 100 version that it was difficult to distinguish between the two films. A great step forward in film technology and a sign that slower ISO 50 and 100 films might be exiting in the near future.

Rating= Sharpness: A-, Grain: A-, Exposure latitude: B+, Colors: A-

Elite Chrome 200


Specifications: ISO 200 daylight color slide film, abbreviation ED. Available in 35mm.

Test: Very fine grain, very sharp, with natural colors matching the overall quality of the Elite 100. In terms of sharpness and grain structure, Elite 200 is a tiny step behind the Elite 100. It produces natural skin tones for portraits and close to real life colors. It can be pushed one stop with good results and increased contrast. Colors look clean and bold for portraits and outdoor subjects.

Verdict: On a side by side comparison against ISO 100 films, Elite 200 truly rivals slower versions in terms of sharpness and grain structure. Several times, I had to remove the films from their mounts to check and make sure they were not Elite 100 films. Film characteristics are so close to Elite 100 that I see little reason to use the slower version.

Rating= Sharpness: A, Grain: A, Exposure latitude: B, Colors: A- Fujichrome Sensia 200
 

ISO 400

Fujichrome Sensia 400


Specifications: ISO 400 daylight color slide film, abbreviation RH. Available in 35mm.

Test: Very sharp but a bit grainy. It's grain structure however, is closer to older ISO 200 films rather than current ISO 400.  Colors are bold similar to other slower Sensia films. It has wide exposure latitude with very good colors and contrast. Film can be pushed up to two stops with little noticeable change at one stop push, but grain and contrast are increased when pushed two stops. It is a saturated film. Perfect for sports and wildlife.

Verdict: One of the sharpest ISO 400 film in the market. It is an excellent choice for low light and action photography as well as flash photography. Grain has been improved over previous version and indeed, Fuji has done an excellent job. Finally, an ISO 400 slide film that can produce publishable results that rival ISO 200 and even 100 films.

Rating= Sharpness: B, Grain: B-, Exposure latitude: B, Colors: B--

Note: Film was not tested for portraits.

Elite Chrome 400

Specifications: ISO 400 daylight color slide film, abbreviation EL. Available in 35mm.

Test: Sharp but grainy fast ISO slide film for sports, wildlife, and low light photography. Colors are very neutral resembling subject in real life. Exposure latitude is moderate. It can be pushed one or two stops with good results at ISO 800 and acceptable at ISO 1600. Film produces overall good result in terms of color, contrast, and sharpness outdoors in low light and for action photography.

Verdict: Colors and contrast are almost identical to other Elite films. I was happy with the film sharpness but grain of this film needs improvements. Subjects in low light or against dark background do not show problem with grain. However, against light background such as sky, grain will be visible, especially if you intend to blow up the picture.

Rating= Sharpness: B-, Grain: C, Exposure latitude: B, Colors: B

Note: Film was not tested for portraits.

Print Films

ISO 100

Fuji color Superia Reala 100


Specifications: ISO 100 daylight color print film, abbreviation CS. Available in 35mm.

Test: Extremely fine grain medium speed print film with close to life colors. It is saturated producing brilliant colors. Film has very wide range of exposure latitude. Grain is excellent and very tight. It is very sharp and among the best ISO 100 films in the market. It produces pleasing colors for a wide range of photography including portraits and fashion.

Verdict: A great print film with excellent sharpness and grain structure. Colors are brilliant with excellent skin tones. Wide range of exposure latitude makes it ideal film for mixed lighting situations. It can be underexposed in low light up to two stops to gain faster shutter speeds without having to push process the film and still getting good results. A good general purpose color print film.

Rating= Sharpness: A+, Grain: A+, Exposure latitude: A, Colors: A-

Kodak Gold 100


Specifications: ISO 100 daylight color print film, abbreviation GA. Available in 35mm.

Test: Superb sharpness and excellent grain film in ISO 100 category. Colors are very accurate with perfect skin tones. Exposure latitude is very wide. Film produces excellent results outdoors under wide variety of situations. An excellent choice for portrait photographers who demand true colors and extra fine grain for making large prints.

Verdict: An outstanding film for general photography. Its sharpness and fine grain makes it possible to produce extra large prints with very good results. Very forgiving in terms of exposure errors. One of the few films with true-to-life colors.

Rating= Sharpness: A+, Grain: A+, Exposure latitude: A+, Colors: A-

ISO 200

Fujicolor Superia 200


Specifications: ISO 200 daylight color print film, abbreviation CA. Available in 35mm.

Test: Superia 200 is almost identical to the Superia 100 in terms of sharpness, grain, and color. It produces excellent color and exposure. It is a bit more saturated than Superia 100 making colors look bolder. Skin tones look warm and smooth. Grain structure is very tight. Exposure latitude is very wide. It performs well under all type of lighting.

Verdict: I could not tell the difference between this film and Superia 100. It is one stop faster with same sharpness and grain of ISO 100 print films. I see no reason to use slower films and loose one stop of light when this ISO 200 is well capable of producing sharp colorful prints.

Rating= Sharpness: A+, Grain: A+, Exposure latitude: A-, Colors: A-

Kodak Royal Gold 200


Specifications: ISO 200 daylight color print film, abbreviation RB. Available in 35mm.

Test: Very sharp print film with saturated colors and wide exposure latitude. Grain is very tight and barely noticeable. Sharpness is high rivaling ISO 100 films. It produces brilliant colors and clean skin tones. Exposure latitude is very wide with no apparent change within +/-1 stop and very little +/-2 stops.

Verdict: An excellent print film for portraits as well as outdoor use. Film produces beautiful bold colors under most lighting condition. The grain structure of this film is among the best considering its speed. It is very sharp making it a top choice for portraits and fashion photographers or any subject that requires large prints.

Rating= Sharpness: A, Grain: A+, Exposure latitude: A+, Colors: A

ISO 400

Fujicolor Superia X-Tra 400

Specifications: ISO 400 daylight color print film, abbreviation CH. Available in 35mm and 120

Test: Surprisingly fine grain considering its speed. Sharpness closely matches ISO 200 print films. Colors are saturated and exposure latitude is wide. Film is capable of handling exposure under low difficult light with good result. Subjects show bold and brilliant colors with pleasing contrast.

Verdict: A major step forward for photographers who need fast films for low light and action photography. The grain and sharpness of this film is so good that I believe that ISO 400 print films will soon be the choice of most photographers who shoot print films. Colors are brilliant even under mixed lighting condition. A great all around high speed film.

Rating= Sharpness: A-, Grain: B+, Exposure latitude: A, Colors: A-

Note: Film was not tested for portraits.

Kodak Gold 400

Specifications: ISO 400 daylight color print film, abbreviation GC. Available in 35mm, 120 and 220

Test: Very fine grain ISO 400 film with very good sharpness and saturated colors. Colors look brilliant and clean even under harsh light. Film can handle wide range of exposures with good results even if exposure is off by several stops. It can seriously challenge even ISO 100 films in terms of sharpness and grain structure.

Verdict: One of the best all around films for any type of photography. This film can handle large prints with minimum loss of sharpness and noticeable grain. Colors look beautiful and bold. The perfect choice for wildlife and sports photographers as well as photojournalism.

Rating= Sharpness: A-, Grain: A-, Exposure latitude: A, Colors: A-

Note: Film was not tested for portraits.