Choosing a Color Neg Film

david b

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Oct 20, 2003

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4,026

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None of your

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Medium Format

• Dec 14, 2007

• #1

I am thinking of doing a bit of color work and since I have not done
any color work in about 7 years or so, I am looking for a bit of
assistance.

First, I will be shooting 4x5 and scanning the film.

Second, I will be doing a mix of outdoor portrait and landscape
shots.

Third, something in the 100-160 would be great. I am currently
doing some work with FP4+ so this is my reference.

thanks in advance.

 

Pinholemaster

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Oct 17, 2005

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1,566

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Westminster,

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8x10 Format

• Dec 14, 2007

• #2

For my 8x10 color work, I use Fuji Pro 160S rated at 125 ISO for landscapes.

For portraiture, I use Kodak Portra 400NC rated at 320 ISO to get the extra speed.

Both do a fine job. No complaints.

Here's what I'm doing with the color neg: Dead Link Removed

 

Neal

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Dec 3, 2004

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Chicago, West Suburbs

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• Dec 14, 2007

• #3

Dear David,

You can't go wrong with any of the color negative films available in 4x5.

Neal Wydra

 

copake_ham

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Jan 26, 2006

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4,091

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NYC or Copak

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35mm

• Dec 14, 2007

• #4

One of the key features of the "new" Portra is enhanced scannability. Since you intend to scan your negs - I highly recommend it.

So far I've only used in in 35mm. When I scanned some, as a test, I brought up the TIFF image in PS and tried to do an "auto adjustment". Nothing changed! On a strictly "auto" setting PS could not come up with a way to "improve" the original scanned image.

Once I use up my "mixed bag" of various color negs - I probably going to exclusively use Portra.

Oh, BTW, the Portra I used in the "scan test" was 160VC.

 

keithwms

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Oct 14, 2006

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Charlottesvi

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Multi Format

• Dec 14, 2007

• #5

I sometimes use fuji pros S at 125 for landscapes, as mentioned above by Walter, and I use pro h for people, rating at 320 or 400, depending.

Let me throw another thought into the mix and suggest considering slide film like astia or velvia. If you're going to be scanning then [properly exposed] slide film will give you more bang for your buck, in my opinion. At least for landscapes. In my opinion, colour neg film doesn't scan so well, it looks better when printed directly, whereas with slide you can get a lot of very clean information out before hitting the grain.

 

Discpad

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Joined

Aug 20, 2007

Messages

130

Format

Med. Format Pan

• Dec 15, 2007

• #6

Dear David,

You can't go wrong with *any* of the color films available in 4x5!

That being said, I wish I could get the color rendition of Fuji Reala 100 in 4x5
Dead Link Removed

Neal said:

Dear David,

You can't go wrong with any of the color negative films available in 4x5.

Neal Wydra

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