There are 3 types of film: black & white, color negative, and slide film. While slide film (also known as transparency film, color reversal film, or E-6 film) is not nearly as popular as B&W and color negative, it doesn’t mean it’s not a great film. At one point it was the go-to film for professional color photographers. It has an incredibly fine grain, amazing color, and—since it’s not a negative—it can be projected. In fact, slide projectors are the reason for the name “slide” film.

These days it can be difficult to find labs that process slide film, let alone labs that process it in-house. Here at The Darkroom, it’s one of our specialties! We have been dip & dunk processing E-6 slide film in-house for over 25 years.

The recent re-release of Kodak Ektachrome 100 has sparked a growing buzz around slide film. But Ektachrome isn’t the only professional grade E-6 slide stock around—there are many others! FujiFilm, for one, never stopped producing slide film and currently sells three different types: Velvia 50, Velvia 100, and Provia 100f. With that in mind, we thought it would be a great time to compare some of the great E-6 options available today.

Of the 4 professional grade slide film stocks, we have 3 favorites for different reasons and for different applications. Kodak Ektachrome 100 and FujiFilm Provia 100f produce similar results and both very versatile slide film stocks. They have great color, fine grain, and the only significant difference we say is that Provia 100f has slightly better exposure latitude. They are good for portraiture, landscapes, and all-around daytime shooting.

The other two options are Velvia 50 & 100. Which are both great but of the two, Velvia 50 is our favorite – it has an amazing color, super fine grain, and much better tonal transitions and exposure latitude than Velvia 100 which means to does better in contrasty light. If you’re looking for the vibrant saturated color we recommend Velvia 100 which is known for its poppy color and higher contrast.

Below are examples of each film and some comparisons.

Ektachrome 100

This was shot handheld metering for the high lights and since Ektachrome has good contrast the shadows go black which looks great for this scene!

Like all professional grade slide film, Ektachrome is extremely sharp.

Metered for the highlights. Ektachrome has incredibly vibrant color but rarely goes to saturated.

For being slide film, Ektachrome has decent exposure latitude which can be seen here. Despite the spotty light and metering for the mid tones the highlights didn’t blow out.

Ektachrome does pretty will with portraits when shooting in good light and your metering is spot on. For portraits you don’t want to under expose the skin tones so we recommend metering for the skin and make sure you’re not in spotty or extremely contrasty light.

Metered for the mid tones which is the in-between of the highlights and the shadows.

Metered for the shadows which worked well for this scene since the light was very even. The vibrant colors of Ektachrome really brought the the scan to life despite the even light.

FujiFilm Provia 100f

Provia 100f is our favorite portrait slide film because it does pretty well with skin tones, not making them to red/.

When shooting portraits we recommend metering for the skin tones and picking decent light that’s not spotty.

Of all 4 slide film stocks shown in this blog, Provia is probably the most versatile due to its’ exposure latitude being better then the rest and that its’ color is more subtle.

Slide film is ideal for daylight shooing.

Provia 100f has amazing color which can bring the an even light scene to lift,

FujiFilm Velvia 50

And since it’s such slow/low ISO you’ll probably need a tripod unless you have very bright light.

It has had high saturation but with out going over the top like Velvia 100 is prone to doing.

This photos shows it has good contrast but still has decent exposure latitude.

It’s ideal for daylight shooting and beautifully captures blues.

FujiFilm Velvia 100

Of all four slide film sticks listed in this blog Velvia 100 is the most saturated colors.

Overall, each of these slide film stock has their place – it all depends on what you prefer, your subject, and the light you’re shooting in. Keep on mind that all the FujiFilm stock are not only made in 35mm but 120 and 4×5 as well while Ektachrome is only made in 35mm.

8 replies on “Ektachrome is Back. A comparison of Ektachrome vs. FujiFilm slide film”

Thank you for this – very valuable

My favorite slide films when I was younger and pretty much only shot slide film, was Agfa and then Ektachrome. I was a late comer to Fujifilm slide film, but really like the Velvia films, especially the V50. I’m hoping Kodak brings the Ektachrome back into the medium and large formats, so when I’m using my Kodak Duoflex III I can enjoy excellent color rendition.

Super nice and informative post! Can’t wait to get my hands on some slide film 😁

I miss Kodachrome!
I recently shot some decades-old Kodak Elite Chrome, overexposed two stops, and cross-processed; the results were FABULOUS!
Give this a try if you ever get the opportunity.

[…] 2018, it re-released Ektachrome 100, after the last of its colour slide film had been discontinued in 2011. And the same year it also […]

Very valuable article! Thanks for the write-up!
Revisiting this in 2020, now Ektachrome comes with 120 as well!

I recently shot Fuji Provia 100 and Ektachrome 100 at the same event. Both are great films but I found the color on the Ektachrome to be subjectively slightly more pleasing. This was especially true with flesh tones. Ektachrome color is vibrant without appearing artificial or overcooked. Considering that that Ektachrome costs significantly less, I am switching to this film. I will now use Ektachrome along with Fuji Velvia (mostly the 50) if I need the extra saturation.

That is pretty much my assessment as well. I’m loving E100 and I will happily shoot Provia as well but I prefer the E100. I also have some Velvia around for those punchy shots.

Note: We don’t monitor the comments very often, so please contact us directly if you have questions.

What type of film do you have?

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Below are examples of each film and some comparisons.

Ektachrome 100

FujiFilm Provia 100f

FujiFilm Velvia 50

FujiFilm Velvia 100

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