Transparency Film and Incident Metering

[mdm]

Is it possible to use an incident meter succesfuly with transparency film such as Provia or Astia?

[Daniel Stone]

I do it all the time. Why do you ask?

-Dan

[mdm]

Much contrastier than B&W and C41 therefore less lattitude. I dont want to have to dredge up my 35mm camera to use as a spot meter.

Thanks
David

[Jimi]

No problem. I have done it, getting good results with a Sekonic L398, albeit with a TLR and roll film.

[mdm]

(me too but dont tell anyone)

[Daniel Stone]

you'll want to shoot in overcast conditions then if you want to maximize slide film's potential.

just remember, the contrast of the scene is what is conveyed to your film/sensor. Softer/more diffused light will be lower in contrast than high-noon sun.

-Dan

[grahamcase]

Incident metering can't be worse than what I used to do: Reflective meter readings through my Canon AE-1 off my arm, and then adjust one stop assuming my skin would fall into zone 6

Of course, as implied, this was 35mm slide film.

[Heroique]

Here’s a very contrasty scene. If I’m shooting transparency film, I’d prefer a spot meter, since texture in both the high values of the middle tree & low values of the left tree were important to me. As you can see, I’m struggling to capture both, so an exact “best” exposure was important to me.

On a cloudy day when light is more even, an incident meter would be easy to use.

Provia and Astia, in my experience, are better for contrast than Velvia...

Tachi 4x5
Schneider XL 110mm/5.6
Velvia-50
Epson 4990/Epson Scan

[vinny]

no.. better off using your iphone.

[Daniel Stone]

Here’s a very contrasty scene.... As you can see, I’m struggling to capture both, so an exact “best” exposure was important to me.

On a cloudy day when light is more even, an incident meter would be easy to use.

Provia and Astia, in my experience, are better for contrast than Velvia...

Tachi 4x5
Schneider XL 110mm/5.6
Velvia-50
Epson 4990/Epson Scan

The thing is, when I look at this photograph, this is what was probably there contast-wise. The shadows ARE that dark, and the highlights(true tonality of the brighter areas) are that light. So in reality, this is probably a very true representation of what we'd have seen if in the same place as you.

It seems that many people are afraid of contrast, having become used to color negative materials, which just give and give and give. Yes, they're nice and very versatile, but I've found I can get a better "representation" of reality, IMO, using slide film than with negative materials. This is MY experience though. Provia is the bees-knees for me, E100G a close 2nd.

-Dan