Best available 120 film for accurate and subtle colour

Flow of thoughts

D
Flow of thoughts

  • 2
  • 0
  • 40
Rouse st

A
Rouse st

  • 5
  • 2
  • 57
Plague

D
Plague

  • 0
  • 0
  • 48
Vinsey

A
Vinsey

  • 3
  • 1
  • 82

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
199,162
Messages
2,787,252
Members
99,827
Latest member
HKlongzzgg
Recent bookmarks
0

Nuff

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2013
Messages
581
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
158
Location
Glasgow, UK
Format
Medium Format
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

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2013
Messages
581
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2013
Messages
158
Location
Glasgow, UK
Format
Medium Format
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

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Sep 7, 2002
Messages
19,974
Location
Honolulu, HI
Format
Large Format
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

Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2012
Messages
8,345
Location
Antarctica
Format
8x10 Format
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

Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2012
Messages
8,345
Location
Antarctica
Format
8x10 Format
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!
 
OP
OP

Urmonas

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
52
Format
Medium Format
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.
 
OP
OP

Urmonas

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
52
Format
Medium Format
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

Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2010
Messages
623
Location
USA
Format
Medium Format
Is this subtle enough? I don't understand your yellow cast. How is it being processed?

15500635.43a9e204.1024.jpg


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

RR

This is beautiful.
 

wblynch

Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2009
Messages
1,697
Location
Mission Viejo
Format
127 Format
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)
 
OP
OP

Urmonas

Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
52
Format
Medium Format
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.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom