Slide Film 101: What it is, how it works, and its functionality

Slide film, or colour reversal film, is a positive film. Therefore, instead of creating a negative image, the picture will look how you saw it in the viewfinder. Slide film is also commonly referred to as E-6 film because the development process requires 6 baths including the developer, stop, and fixer. 

Colour negatives, on the other hand, are referred to as C-41 and use a chromogenic colour print film development process. All reversal film in the modern world uses the E-6 process, which is not the same as the process used by Kodak Kodachrome. 

FujiFilm still produces three types of slide film including Fuji Velvia 50, Velvia 100, and Provia 100f. In addition to Fujichrome, you can also get Kodak Ektachrome 100 Colour Reversal film that’s known for high resolution, good details, and vivid colours. Other brands like Polaroid and Ilford also make reversal film. 

Slide film offers some distinct advantages that we cover later on, but one of the main differences is the fact that you can mount it to a sleeve, insert it into a slide projector, and see the image as intended. That’s why it’s also known as transparency film. Additionally, some labs will produce photographic slides from digital image formats like JPEG images. 

Slide film is a little more difficult to work with because it has 1.5 stops of dynamic range and very little exposure latitude. You will have to set proper exposure and be able to effectively metre the scene to avoid saturation and ensure high contrast. 

If you get the exposure right, it’s possible to create vibrant colours, high-resolution, and versatile lighting with slide film stock, but it might take some practice. Many photographers recommend starting with low exposure and working your way up. In addition, it’s best to practise before you need to capture something important just in case the exposure is still ineffective. 

After you take your slide film photos, the film processing step will require 6 baths. This process is also more difficult with slide film vs other film types because of the lower ISO value, but it will produce vivid colour and fine grain. The development process will include developer, stop, and fixer to finalise the positive image photograph. 

Finally, if you plan on viewing your slide film on a projector, it will need to be mounted. There are machines that can do this for you, but the process will cut the film into single frames and mount it in a cardboard or plastic holder. This can then be inserted into a machine to project the image to many people at once. 

There are a number of advantages to using slide film. First, reversal film is more versatile. It’s available in a wide variety of formats including 8mm and medium format, which makes it great for creating different results depending on your specific photo project. 

Furthermore, it lasts longer than negative films and is less likely to fade over time. Even decades after exposure, many people find that their slide film has original vivid colours. The quality of image also starts higher than negative film with more sharp contrasts and higher resolution. 

Despite these numerous advantages for image quality, vividness, and usefulness, there are also some disadvantages. It’s more difficult to use because you must use precise exposure and metre settings. In addition, it’s more expensive than negative film types and may not be as readily available as your local shops. 

There are lots of reasons to choose slide film and historically the positive image has been useful in photography and art. That’s because the positive image could be used to tell stories and the flexibility of including both colour and black and white film of different sizes and types gave artists much more to work with. 

People still use their slide film for arts and crafts and other creative projects. You can use slide film to create wallpaper, lampshades, jewellery, collages, and anything else while still showing the image that the photographer intended to take (instead of a reversed or negative image).

Since slide carousels were used in many applications throughout the years from showcasing vacation slideshows to teaching high school or college classes, many people also have a nostalgic feeling toward slide film. This may be partially responsible for the continued use and resurgence among photography enthusiasts. 

While digital cameras have all but replaced film cameras, there are some things only colour transparency film can offer. Slide film can often capture subtle details and contrasting colours better than modern digital cameras. A digital camera that captures ultra-high resolution will also cost significantly more than a camera and some slide film. 

The advantages and potential applications of slide film have led to a significant resurgence in popularity as photographers continue to tout the benefits and use analogue film over digital formats. 

Now that you know what is slide film processing and the advantages including vivid colours, flexibility, durability, and positive image, you can decide if you want to join in on the resurgence in popularity of slide film. If so, just make sure that you get your camera exposure right to ensure a high-resolution positive image that you can insert into a projector. 

While slide film is more durable than negative film, it’s still important to preserve it in digital format to protect against fading, water damage, and other problems. Capture can digitise your slide film, negatives, photo prints, and more as high-quality digital copies. Click here to learn more!