Porta 400 B&W C-41

[larrydressler]

I just got alot of Porta BW in 120.It is going out of date in 4

months how does this compare to Kodaks Amature Grade 120 film. And

Ilford XP-2?

 

Larry

[frank.schifano]

I'm sure you've heard this before. If the film has been stored cold, the short date is meaningless. The film should have plenty of storage life left, so no worries there. Compared to XP2 Super, the biggest difference you'll see is that the Portra has the orange mask common to C-41 color films while the XP2 Super does not. It is easier to print this film on RA-4 paper than on standard B&W paper. XP2 was designed from the get go to be printed onto standard B&W paper. Come to think of it, Kodak doesn't make a distinction between amateur and pro films in 120. They are all "Pro" films.

[steve_levine]

I too have a supply of PBW on hand, and I loved this now discontinued film! Like most chromogenics, it's a bit flat (low contrast). My solution is to expose for the darkest shadows(at box speed), and let the highlights over expose slightly.

[bill_tuthill]

Steve, don't you find the Portra 400BW (and TCN) replacement, BW400CN,

is more like 400BW than like TCN? Higher contrast, less latitude.

 

I'm not knowledgeable about printing, but both Ilford and Kodak B&W

C-41 films are easy to scan. On my scanner, the new BW400CN as rated

has about the same grain structure as XP-2 at EI 200, and XP-2 seems

lower contrast.

[johnw436]

I have had good luck with BW400CN as well. One question- do you guys get the purple cast like I do? How do you fix it? I have the lab bump it toward sepia, but I wish I knew a better way.

[larrydressler]

IS Porta BW high contrast or low contrast? I always shoot for high contrast and was going to expose it at 320? is that correct? the instructions are stupid for a profesional film. This is why I talk to you people. The Orange Mask is what all Kodak Chromatic film has. Ilford is the onlyone with the clear mask. My Lab prints Lazer and I always have them scanned to a CD or in the case of my 120's to a DVD. or 2 CD's if the DVD is not avalable that day. Some times my 35mm 36 expos comes on 2 I prefer hi rez scans. I pay no extra I just give them more time.

 

Larry

[ilkka_nissila]

In the grand sceme of things, Portra 400BW is low contrast like all C-41 black and white films, but it's higher in contrast than other films of its type.

 

BW400CN is a worthy replacement although I did prefer Portra. BW400CN has finer grain I think, and it scans more neutral on my scanner by default.

 

There is no amateur chromogenic film in 120 size that I know about.