what is the best type of film for shooting landscape photos.?

Question

I'd like to know the brand and ISO rating for the film, as well as the film details. and why you recommend it.

Answer 1

It really depends on the landscape and the amout of light you have to help you. On a sunny day with blue skies, I would love to use a Velvia (200) just because the blues can be dramatic on it and I love my landscapes that way. The Provia 100F is a good choice as well.

Answer 2

If you are shooting landscapes for personal use then it really won't matter what film you use. The only decision you need to make is whether to use B&W film or Color film.

The lower the ISO (it's a speed, not a rating), the more light you need, however the more information is collected onto the film.

If you are doing some low light photography, you will need at least 800. 1600 will produce quite a bit of noise and 3200 will produce even more noise.

I've always been partial to Illford film. The consistency in the image from one image to the next has always been superb.

If you are truly goin for the artistic look and feel, concider getting a roll or two of infrared film.

Answer 3

It really depends on what you plan to do with the image after you make it. Are you trying to sell it to a magazine or stock agency? Are you planning to hang it in the living room? In most publication purposes you would shoot slide film. Slide film is a little tricky and not very forgiving. You must expose it properly ! I might also add that getting it processed is starting to get a little hard to find. My local lab pulled the plug last year. If you still want to use slide....and I would really check with the magazine or agency to see if a MUST have slide...I prefer Fuji Velvia 50 or 100. It gives really saturated color and it loves blues and greens. If you are doing more sandstone and desert you might want to go with a Kodak product....lower ASA the better. And if you're using a slow film use a tripod.

Of course you could still go with slide for hanging things on the wall but getting a good print from slide is tough without paying big money. I would use print film for this the lower the ASA the better.
I haven't use anything but Kodak Portra (if they still make it) or Fujicolor 100 in print applications.
There are people who really get into the minutia of color film differences. Check on line for color film reviews and I'm sure that you'll find opinions completely opposite of mine. You might try a back issue of Popular Photography....they did an in-depth review of dozens of films each year. I don't read it anymore but they may have something on line.

Honestly I would just go digital.
My D2X gives me great files and I have a friend who makes incredible 16x20 prints on artist paper. I really don't miss film.

Answer 4

If you are a beginner use ISO 200 of any brand, for landscaping it will give really Sharp images. Higher ISO rating mean more sensitive to light and speed.