I have traveled much of Europe and consider <BR>myself an above average photographer. I take <BR>mostly slides using Fuji Velvia, but have also been carrying an Olympia point and shoot loaded with 100 speed print film for <BR>my last 3 trips. Now, I am going to Ireland. <BR>I may be crazy, but it seems that my strategy on film speeds may need to change. <BR>I am also considering B&W shots this trip. <BR>So, you camera buffs can help me to decide <BR>on the right film for the gray shades of the <BR>Emerald Isle. How is the Kodak Max film? <BR>What should I buy for B&W. What spped will be <BR>best for overcast Irish days. HELP !!

The only advice that I can give is not to use 800 speed unless you use a separate camera with different film to take indoor shots. Fuji Velvia is incredible. 400 speed should do you fine in your point and shoot.

Hi, <BR>I took a 10-day trip to Ireland this summer, and as an amateur photographer myself, packing a Nikkormat from the 1960s and a whole variety of film, I'd love to tell you what I came up with. I used primarily low-speed film, no 400, 800, or 3200 except a few indoor shots. The sun is up at 5am and it stays light until 10:30pm so there was always plenty of light, even on overcast days, to use 25, 50, or 100 speed film. I used 200 only when I ran out of lower speed or when I knew I'd be in and out of churches and other sites with old buildings... We stayed mostly in parks and on mountains. Inside the ancient monasteries and pre-historical sites, you might want 200 speed film. Black and white pics were good but I would hihtly suggest a yellow filter. It will make a one-stop difference, so in that case you might want to try some 400 speed film. The yellow filter will increase contrast so all those shades of gray in Ireland don't run into each other! <BR> <BR>Hope this helps!

Max 800 give excellent saturated colors, & good crisp contrast even at EI 1600 (!), for when you have really low light conditions. But enlargements of 8x10 look noticeably grainy. Max400 might be a better choice if enlargements were needed. <BR> <BR>For slide film (probably 90% of what I shoot), I have standardized on Kodak E100S, E100VS, and E200. <BR> <BR>E200 is incredibly versatile in that it can be push processed up to 3 stops with excellent result (kodak suggests EI 800-1000 for +3 push). <BR> <BR>E100VS is as deeply saturated, eye popping color, & as fine grain as Velvia, MUCH more natural skin tones, & twice as fast. <BR> <BR>E100S is more natural (but still saturated) & is good all around. <BR> <BR>E100 is said to push process well but haven't tried it; I'll use E200 with or without pushing. <BR> <BR>With the E100 films, I like the results better when I underexpose 1/3 stop (EI 125), this is the case with 3 separate camera bodies so I don't think it's due to exposure error. <BR> <BR>Obviously best thing is try several rolls (of whatever you select) with your equipment & evaluate various exposure biases.

Haven't been to Ireland, but I looked at photo.net, which has a travel section. Instead of trying to type all I saw there, take a look for yourself. Click on "More" under the Q&A Forum, search on "Ireland," and you will get some good ones. One suggestion was to use a graduated neutral density filter. Sounds logical, but takes some practice if you haven't done it before. I would think Velvia and other saturated films would help punch up the colors on those overcast days.

This may be naive given the responses above, but I'd opt for a Kodak film over Fuji for the warmer tones of Kodak.

Bob, <BR>Just one word and it is regarding the light. It doesn't get as dark in Ireland in the fall as it does in central Europe where I lived for several years however if the weather is wet and miserable then light will fade from 5.00 or 6.00 onwards. If you have good weather then it should last until about 8.00ish. Daylight starts at about 4.00 at present (excellent weather) otherwise by September expect it to be around 5.00 to 6.00 am. Post or email if you have any other queries, <BR> <BR>Cathy