I know prints and I know slides, but what is transparency film all about. What are its advantages and detractions? (Be kind, my naitivity is showing...)

How do you print from it? Can you?

To my knowledge a transparency is another name for a slide. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. -Grant

oh yeah... I think you can print using a reversal paper that is pretty expensive. But since I've never done my own color printing I don't know a lot about the subject.

Transparency, slide, chrome-all the same. But now there's transparency film that people are using on inkjet printers.

So, except for the old slide projector show of my summer vacation thing, why would I choose to shoot slide/transparancy?

Good Evening,

Transparencies have traditionally been the standard for color reproduction in publications. 35mm is widely accepted, but the larger sizes are often prefered.

MF and LF transparencies can also produce stunning Cibachromes.

Konical

because it produces a first gen image that is arguably the most beautifal of all photographic materials

Besides reversal paper for color slides, is there a reversal paper/process for B&W transparencies, eg Agfa Scala?

Scala? You could print it on Ilfochrome, probably even on the old R3-stuff (which is overall discontinued).

Slides vs Transparency. Yes, they're the same unless you're selling your work. Transparencies sell for more!

You can also make excellent prints from transparencies by having them drum-scanned and printed on a LightJet. If you're so inclined... the results supposedly rival, or even shame, Cibachrome/Ilfochrome.

Joann Callis has some work in the CCP here right now, and she shot/shoots transparencies and had them printed using "old" methods.

Even her color coupler prints look fantastic. Her dye bleach prints on polyester are breath taking.

Her digital output....

Not as impressive.

Now I get it <slaps forehead>...Thanks Shaggy!

Many of the current pro labs now have processing machines that can print directly on regular photographic paper from slides/transparancies, I do it quite regularly for prints that I have sold, I never shoot anything but slides and with the newer technology in the labs have the best of both worlds, great first generation color slides and the ability to make stunning prints for sale as well.

Good shooting.

Dave Parker
Ground Glass Specialties
Satin Snow(TM) Ground Glass

Does anyone know the future of transparancy film? I love the stuff and would hate to see it dissappear. Everyone always talks about print film slowy fading away, but what about trannies? Are they still safe?

Most likely.

While some more obscure forms of the film (like Kodachrome) have been fading, people still shoot slides. In fact many magazines, schools, etc. still insist on slides.

Also, the actual film stock has many uses, including scientific uses.

I know prints and I know slides, but what is transparency film all about. What are its advantages and detractions? (Be kind, my naitivity is showing...)

How do you print from it? Can you?


Advantages: publications like it because they know what the image colors are supposed to look like when printed. Same for making prints - you have a positive image that you can compare with the print. Color saturation on certain films is much higher than color negative film.

Disadvantages: 5.5 - 6 stop exposure range (shadow to highlight) compared to over 10 on some color negative films. Some transparency emulsions have very high contrast. Nearly zero (0) exposure latitude when compared to negative film. This means the exposure has to be very accurate - you have to know the how to meter the scene and the film characteristics.

Prints: there are wet darkroom techniques - you can have an internegative made and then print on C material. Or you can use a direct reversal material - Ilfochrome.

Digital prints: Frontier print uses a machine that makes a direct scan from the film and prints on standard color photo paper. Not my favorite - I can see the print scan lines upon close examination without a loupe. A better method is to get a scan from a high end scanner like a drum scanner or Imacon. Once the image is scanned you can choose to print on standard color photo paper using a LightJet printer or Lambda printer. Or, you can choose to print using an inkjet printer. The only inks that are considered archival are pigment inks on neutral pH lignin-free paper, or inks from specific Hewlett - Packard printers on matching HP papers.

Steve covered everything I know with the one exception. Scan to Lambda/lightjet imaged to ciba (opposed to ra4 materials)...

The new noritsu print machines do not exhibit the scan line problem that has been seen in the past, it digitally exposes the slide onto regular RA4 paper and exhibits very good color rendition, I have sold a lot of prints from my slides using one of these machines and the galleries are very satisfied as well as the customers purchasing the prints.

Dave Parker
Ground Glass Specialties
Satin Snow(TM) Ground Glass
www.satinsnowglass.com