Best available 120 film for accurate and subtle colour

Nuff · Jun 22, 2014

160NS is being discontinued. The only pro colour negative film made by fuji now is Pro 400H. I would stock up on it, like I did. Since it's very lovely film. But I tend to shoot it with Portra 160 as well depending on subject. Since they have different colour pallet.

Fuji films work better for me when there are lots of greens. Also for Asian skin tones. They are great when over exposed by one stop.

I like portrays for red and yellows. And Caucasian skin tones.

Both are great films.

skysh4rk · Jun 22, 2014

Urmonas said:
Looks like Portra gets the most recommendations. I looked for the Fuji 160 NS, but not sure what the status of that film is. B&H, Adorama, and Freestyle do not stock it, and it is not on the Fuji US website. It is on the Fuji Japan website, and is available in Japan. It is also on the Fuji Europe website and available from suppliers in Germany and UK. A quick search on the web found some discussion on its discontinuance, but no solid information in the quick search that I did. I had hoped to compare Portra 160 and Fuji 160NS, but may have to compare the 400 speed versions depending on the staus of 160NS. Does anyone have confirmed information of the staus of Fuji 160 NS?

Yeah, the assumption is that it will be discontinued, largely because the 160NS doesn't appear to have received the newer Fuji 120 box design like the rest of the Fuji lineup. That said, it is still readily available here in the UK and I had no trouble buying it when I was in Hong Kong recently.

Nuff · Jun 22, 2014

It's not an assumption. There's a notice for neopan 400, provia 400x and Pro400 (PN400N was sold in japan only).

A lot of people have hard time distinguishing between something is in a store and something is not made any more.

skysh4rk · Jun 22, 2014

Nuff said:
It's not an assumption. There's a notice for neopan 400, provia 400x and Pro400 (PN400N was sold in japan only).

A lot of people have hard time distinguishing between something is in a store and something is not made any more.

I totally get that availability in stores doesn't mean that the film hasn't been discontinued, I just can't recall having seen anything official in that regard yet for Fuji Pro 160NS, unlike the other Fuji films you've mentioned.

David A. Goldfarb · Jun 22, 2014

BrianShaw said:
For accurate and subtle color I immediately turn to Kodak Portra 160. If light is low I'd turn to Portra 400.

Exactly what I'd suggest.

StoneNYC · Jun 22, 2014

GarageBoy said:
Provia 400X -shoot it while you can

This is discontinued and of no use to the OP if he is specializing in it for his work.

StoneNYC · Jun 22, 2014

skysh4rk said:
I totally get that availability in stores doesn't mean that the film hasn't been discontinued, I just can't recall having seen anything official in that regard yet for Fuji Pro 160NS, unlike the other Fuji films you've mentioned.

If it didn't get a new box, with a new sku number, it's discontinued...

StoneNYC · Jun 22, 2014

If you like slide film, why not use Fuji Provia100f

Although it is "saturated" the colors are not like Velvia, not overly saturated, and the color is VERY accurate including great white which you've asked for.

It will pick up on the subtle color variations and will be color tone accurate.

That's my suggestion, good luck!

Urmonas · Jun 22, 2014

Stone: Provia is very far from colour accurate for my purposes. As I mentioned in a previous post Provia failed two test subjects I use to evaluate film for the intended use. It has its place in my arsenal of films, but does not fit the vacancy I have.

I am hoping to evaluate Portra 160 and 400 as well as Fuji 400H. Should have some in hand later this week and results a couple of weeks from now.

Urmonas · Jul 26, 2014

Just wanted to add the result of my evauation of these films. Overall all 3 films performed well. The best was Portra 160. Overall good color rendition. Some shifts but all very minor. Portra 400 was not far behind, slightly more saturation of reds but we are talking very minor effects here. I will definitely be using both of these films. The Fuji 400H was looking good, but in a few of the shots where I had some clear blue sky the Fuji has a small but noticable red shift. I compared the Fuji and Portra negatives, and while I am not practiced at mentally removing the orange base tint, the Fuji did seem to have a color shift to the sky.

tnabbott · Jul 27, 2014

Regular Rod said:
Is this subtle enough? I don't understand your yellow cast. How is it being processed?

It's on AGFA/Rollei CR200 Pro 120 E6.

RR

This is beautiful.

wblynch · Jul 29, 2014

My slight experience with Fuji Pro 400H is, if it's very fresh it's beautiful but the closer it gets to expiration date it shifts red/magenta and difficult for me to balance.

If it is past date, then I just can't get anything I like from it.

I will stick to the Portras and Ektars (while they exist)

Urmonas · Jul 31, 2014

The Fuji 400H I used was fresh from B&H. Used within a few days of receiving it. Expiry 2015-10. The Fuji reproduced the color chart well, some minor shifts, but overall probably better than Portra 400. I would need to do more testing to work out what causes the hint of red in the sky. White objects in the same negative show no color shift.

Best available 120 film for accurate and subtle colour

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