Exploration of colour negative films (mostly) - and an open call for new suggestions

[tales of a flaneur]

Hi,

 

Over the past year or two I've been casually experimenting with a bunch of

different film stocks and trying to find a couple whose results I really like.

It seems that I'm extremely fond of:

 

Kodak 160VC

For most anything. I've shot indoors, in lowish light and in bright sun and

nearly always find the colours accurate and details sharp.

 

Fuji Superia 200

I picked up a cheapy box of this and have been VERY surprised by the low grain,

sharp results. I think it skews a wee bit too green sometimes, still ...

reliable and not grainy.

 

Koda Royal Supra 400

I have some really gorgeous, sun-drenched images that still look natural and as

remembered. I also have some great results from Kodak HD 200 ... and so-so

images with a roll of Supra 100.

 

I'm scanning negatives with an inexpensive PrimeFilm 7250u and VueScan. Some

examples:

 

 

Kodak 160VC

 

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/heath_square_june/Sunset-at-Home.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/heath_square_june/Meadow_Sky.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/la_france/brousse_le_chateau/House-Halfway-to-the-Chatea.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/fordcome_birlinggap/Chipped-Boy.jpg

 

Fuji Superia 200

 

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/withyham_fete/A-Young-Clown.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/withyham_fete/Tame-and-Wild.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/la_france/la_condomine/Tarn-in-the-Dawn.jpg

 

Kodak Royal Supra 400

 

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2005/valencia/Early-morning-customer.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2005/valencia/Jagged-Teeth.jpg

 

Fuji Pro 800z

 

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/stirling_may/Dappled.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/stirling_may/No-escape.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/la_france/la_condomine/Moody-Max.jpg

 

 

Fuji Neopan 400

Ilford HP5 Plus

 

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/la_france/ambialet/Up-next.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/la_france/ambialet/Bent.jpg

 

Velvia - Rich colours, but strict exposure latitude make it less than fun. Hate

lugging a tripod and England can be a dark place.

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/la_france/la_condomine/Morning.jpg

 

Reala - Some lovely images, but some strange colour shifts. Heavy grain in

shadows or if slightly underexposed. This is the best of the lot.

http://homepage.mac.com/nevermore/.Pictures/2006/la_france/brousse_le_chateau/Through-the-Window.jpg

 

I've been reading the comments on Fuji Pro 400 and Kodak UC400. I like to shoot

people on the street and the streets of London will be getting darker and darker.

 

So my question - what else might I want to be shooting? I live in London and the

light here is rather weak most of the year. Although I'm impressed by the

colours from that Fuji Pro 800z, it's a bit garish and coarsely-grained for my

taste.

[walterh]

"Reala .... but some strange colour shifts"

 

After I decided to do my own C41 processing I found this to be less off a problem. Also exposure can be nailed to the best capability of the scanner. I really like it about 1/2 f-stop pushed but exposed at rated ASA for scanning. I do fewer types of film but may be you got more practice. I try to reduce film types to Reala and Fuji 160C and S. The new stuff is amazing. For faster speed I prefer digital but this is mainly due to my type of shooting. Except for BW I mainly use film for landscapes + wide angle and high contrast scenes and their combinations :-) I get same or better results in low contrast with digital without struggle.

[benny_spinoza]

Try Portra 160NC or 400NC. Some say the are not good films for dull days. But I've found them to be excellent. After trying many films, I got tired of the over-saturated look. I shoot 120 with a Hassy....plenty of color saturation for me. 160nc is my favorite.

[bill_tuthill]

Try Portra 800! It's less garish, with more-restrained contrast,

than Pro 800Z. It also push processes better for this reason.

Although not as good as a DSLR at high ISO, it could save you money

on the occasional winter day. Kodak has done two emulsion revisions

lately so don't let their old 800 films prejudice you.

[tales of a flaneur]

I suppose what I'm looking for is a fine-grained film that adds a bit of contrast to this green and pleasant land's low-contrast, delicate light - especially as we get on into autumn and winter.

 

I'd love to see some examples, too ...

[timcorridan]

kodak 400uc is like vc on steriods, heres a shot w/ no PS, except a little eye whitening. it changed my kids colors. for better or worse, is subjective...i think its neat. a pro may choose another, less powerfull palette<div></div>

[david_m]

A large part of the color that film gives you depends on the color temperature when the shot was taken. This varies throughout the day and also the time of the year. Exposure is also a major factor. To compare film with film you would have to somehow eliminate this variable.

[timcorridan]

this is true, hence, such different opinions on the subject of film. wich both makes film so neat, and a pain in the applesauce. the 400uc, performed brilliantly, outside, on the same subject. alot of people prefer fuji 400h for consistancy under changing conditions.