Note that "VS" stands for Vivid Saturation. This isn't an all purpose film, but it's great for a lot of uses. I've seen it compared to Fuji Velvia, but it's really a much different film. E100VS is great for bright primary colors, and less contrasty than Velvia so it's a little more forgiving. Greens are nowhere as strong as Velvia - this may be an advantage or disadvantage depending on the subject. Because of this, I think that Fuji Provia 100F is a closer comparison.
It is also a very fine grained film, but I do see grain show up in a clear blue sky, more than Fuji Provia - this is a pretty tough test though.
I've shot quite a bit of this film but don't generally keep it anymore for a few reasons. First off, most of what I shot on film I'm now shooting on digital. Also, when I do shoot chrome, I try to standardize on fewer types of film. These days Provia 100F and Velvia 50 are about all I use, and those two handle what I need.
Strengths:
Bright, strong color palette. Fine grained. Unique look. Readily available.
Weaknesses:
A little grainier than Provia 100F, and doesn't look as "sharp" to me. Slightly more expensive than Provia and Velvia. Not a good choice with Caucasian skin tones.
Similar Products Used:
Fuji Velvia 50 and 100F, Provia 100F and 400F. Kodak Ektachrome E100 S, SW, G, GX, and E200. Agfa RSXII.
I used to use Velvia 50 for "super saturated" slides. But when I tried E100VS, I was hooked. The grain is not as fine as Velvia, but it's more than acceptable. And the colors are very close as far as saturation is concerned. It's a stop faster than Velvia and has a slightly warmer color balance than Provia 100F. It also has accurate skin tones unlike Velvia. It seems that I can have it all with this film-100 speed, strong colors that I really like, and skin tones. Good job Kodak.
Strengths:
skin tones
moderate speed
fine grain
strong colors(if that's what you like)
This product and its consumer version (EBX) are essential for capturing exceptional outdoor photographs. The grain is very good, allowing 20x30 enlargements that still show good detail. Contrast range is also good and shadows are not distractingly black like with Velvia. It is a true 100 speed film, so you can use a small enough aperature to keep foreground flowers in focus with a fast enough shutter to keep them from moving in the wind. But its greatest strength is its colors that are wonderful, vivid, true to life without being overdone or cartoonish. Unlike Velvia, the colors are balanced across the spectrum and there is no blue, overall cast to the picture.
It is amusing (and sad) to see comments about the colors being overdone or artificial. These folks are so used to the washed out colors of other films (intended to render faces complementarily)that they convice themselves that's what pictures "should" look like. This film is superior to either Velvia of Provia for producing warm, inviting, eyepopping pictures. Anyone that shoots landscapes and macros should use it.
I bought two rolls to used and have never used the second one. The photos I took had a nasty yellowish brown tone to them which I absolutely don't like for landscapes. I took some wildlife photos of a grouse and the yellowish brown helped a little in these areas.
Strengths:
If you like brown and yellow
Weaknesses:
If you don't like brown and yellow in your photos. The VS stands for Velvia Substitute. ;)
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