Porta VC 400 or 800?

or something else completely? I'll be travelling to Yellowstone and
Southern Utah this summer, carrying an old Olympus 6x6 folding camera.
It has a red window in the back for the film counter, with a sliding
cover (I don't know if any of that makes a difference when using fast
film in an old camera.) I want to use fast film so I can use small
apertures. If I get any spectactular shots, I'd like to be able to blow
them up to 16x20 without getting too grainy. Most of the good pictures
are destined to be 8x10's.

I'll also have some Kodak Gold 100 film or equivalent with me for full
sun situations.

Thanks.

Best regards,
Bob

On Sun, 27 Mar 2005 22:50:16 -0600, zxcvbob
wrote:

or something else completely? I'll be travelling to Yellowstone and
Southern Utah this summer, carrying an old Olympus 6x6 folding camera.
It has a red window in the back for the film counter, with a sliding
cover (I don't know if any of that makes a difference when using fast
film in an old camera.) I want to use fast film so I can use small
apertures. If I get any spectactular shots, I'd like to be able to blow
them up to 16x20 without getting too grainy. Most of the good pictures
are destined to be 8x10's.

I'll also have some Kodak Gold 100 film or equivalent with me for full
sun situations.


Use a tripod and slower film.


rafe b.
http://www.terrapinphoto.com

In article ,
zxcvbob wrote:

or something else completely? I'll be travelling to Yellowstone and
Southern Utah this summer, carrying an old Olympus 6x6 folding camera.
It has a red window in the back for the film counter, with a sliding
cover (I don't know if any of that makes a difference when using fast
film in an old camera.) I want to use fast film so I can use small
apertures. If I get any spectactular shots, I'd like to be able to blow
them up to 16x20 without getting too grainy. Most of the good pictures
are destined to be 8x10's.

I'll also have some Kodak Gold 100 film or equivalent with me for full
sun situations.

Thanks.

Best regards,
Bob

I agree with Rafe, you want slower film for scenics and a
tripod. The 400 might be ok for a few wildlife pics
though. 100 asa is better, or even slower if you can find it.

--
LF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918

In article ,
zxcvbob wrote:

or something else completely? I'll be travelling to Yellowstone and
Southern Utah this summer, carrying an old Olympus 6x6 folding camera.
It has a red window in the back for the film counter, with a sliding
cover (I don't know if any of that makes a difference when using fast
film in an old camera.) I want to use fast film so I can use small
apertures. If I get any spectactular shots, I'd like to be able to blow
them up to 16x20 without getting too grainy. Most of the good pictures
are destined to be 8x10's.

I'll also have some Kodak Gold 100 film or equivalent with me for full
sun situations.

Thanks.

Best regards,
Bob

I agree with Rafe, you want slower film for scenics and a
tripod. The 400 might be ok for a few wildlife pics
though. 100 asa is better, or even slower if you can find it.

--
LF Website @ http://members.verizon.net/~gregoryblank

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong,
is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."--Theodore Roosevelt, May 7, 1918

zxcvbob wrote:


If I get any spectactular shots, I'd like to be able to blow
them up to 16x20 without getting too grainy. Most of the good pictures
are destined to be 8x10's.


The 400asa shot would go 8X10 with no problem and probably 11x14's would
look OK. 16X20's would be pushing both the choice of film and the old
olympus folder IMHO. I have one of those folders and while it's pretty
good, I'm not sure how tack sharp that large a print would be from one..

I also agree a tripod and slower film would be better but then it turns a
hike and taking some pictures into a "photo trip"...
--

Stacey

zxcvbob wrote:


If I get any spectactular shots, I'd like to be able to blow
them up to 16x20 without getting too grainy. Most of the good pictures
are destined to be 8x10's.


The 400asa shot would go 8X10 with no problem and probably 11x14's would
look OK. 16X20's would be pushing both the choice of film and the old
olympus folder IMHO. I have one of those folders and while it's pretty
good, I'm not sure how tack sharp that large a print would be from one..

I also agree a tripod and slower film would be better but then it turns a
hike and taking some pictures into a "photo trip"...
--

Stacey

Stacey wrote:
zxcvbob wrote:


If I get any spectactular shots, I'd like to be able to blow
them up to 16x20 without getting too grainy. Most of the good pictures
are destined to be 8x10's.



The 400asa shot would go 8X10 with no problem and probably 11x14's would
look OK. 16X20's would be pushing both the choice of film and the old
olympus folder IMHO. I have one of those folders and while it's pretty
good, I'm not sure how tack sharp that large a print would be from one..

I also agree a tripod and slower film would be better but then it turns a
hike and taking some pictures into a "photo trip"...


I have a lightweight tripod, and I use it as a walking stick (folded up
and one leg extended.) I've gotten some great pix with my old Ricoh
Diacord. The olympus should be a better camera but I haven't gotten as
good a pictures using 100 speed film. So I want to choke down the
aperture quite a bit and see. I'll also have my 35mm camera with me
with slow transparency film.

Bob

zxcvbob wrote:




I have a lightweight tripod, and I use it as a walking stick (folded up
and one leg extended.) I've gotten some great pix with my old Ricoh
Diacord. The olympus should be a better camera but I haven't gotten as
good a pictures using 100 speed film. So I want to choke down the
aperture quite a bit and see.

By f11 it should be as good as it's going to get. Mine is OK, not as good as
a tessar camera (especially a non-front cell focusing one) but better than
most old folders are. Most of the front cell focusing lensed folders are
kinda weak when shooting at infinity unless shot at f11-f16.
--

Stacey

zxcvbob wrote:




I have a lightweight tripod, and I use it as a walking stick (folded up
and one leg extended.) I've gotten some great pix with my old Ricoh
Diacord. The olympus should be a better camera but I haven't gotten as
good a pictures using 100 speed film. So I want to choke down the
aperture quite a bit and see.

By f11 it should be as good as it's going to get. Mine is OK, not as good as
a tessar camera (especially a non-front cell focusing one) but better than
most old folders are. Most of the front cell focusing lensed folders are
kinda weak when shooting at infinity unless shot at f11-f16.
--

Stacey

"zxcvbob" wrote in message
...
or something else completely? I'll be travelling to Yellowstone and
Southern Utah this summer, carrying an old Olympus 6x6 folding camera.
It has a red window in the back for the film counter, with a sliding
cover (I don't know if any of that makes a difference when using fast
film in an old camera.) I want to use fast film so I can use small
apertures. If I get any spectactular shots, I'd like to be able to blow
them up to 16x20 without getting too grainy. Most of the good pictures
are destined to be 8x10's.

I'll also have some Kodak Gold 100 film or equivalent with me for full
sun situations.

Thanks.

Best regards,
Bob

I personnally like the Kodak Portra family of films. But, depending on your
subject matter, you might want to consider the "NC" type rather than the
"VC". If you're shooting outdoor, sunny landscape type stuff, the "VC" film
might be too contrasty. Just my opinion-- YMMV. Also, (my info here may be
old or just plain wrong) isn't the 800 speed Portra only available in "UC",
ultra contrast?

As for the red window in the back, it certainly wouldn't hurt to keep it
shut. Possibly, maybe, perhaps, holding the camera in just the right (wrong)
way could maybe perhaps allow enough bright midday sun to get thru and fog
the film. If it does, the chances are great that it will fog that classic,
once-in-a-lifetime shot!

IMHO, the best accessory to improve sharpness is a tripod. Of course, if
you're using a tripod, you can use a longer shutter speed and even smaller
aperature settings. And carrying/setting up a good heavy tripod tends to
make you take more care in composing the shot! (Again, just my opinion)


--
Ken Hart