Ektar or Portra this winter?

[BrianShaw]

^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[George Mann]

I only plan to scan the film for now.

 

[koraks]

Playing advocate of the devil a bit, but somewhat seriously: in that case, it doesn't matter all that much as you can make anything look like anything in digital post processing. As long as the film records useful information in all three color channels, you've got everything you need to get whatever look you'd like.

 

[George Mann]

I decided that I don't like the way warming filters affect the color balance of Portra, and probably Ektar as well as I find the latter too warm already.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

George: Higher contrast and colors with Ektar for landscapes and scenics. Neutral Portra for people. I shoot more saturated Velvia 50 chromes and scan myself. But I;m shooting 6x7 medium format. Good luck and stay warm.

 

[miha]

OK, I decided to give a few developers a chance with processing and scanning my negatives.

So would you choose Ektar or Portra this winter?

If I were you I'd shoot a roll of each.

 

[George Mann]

If I were you I'd shoot a roll of each.

My biggest dilemma is I have both a Nikkormat FT2, and an F90x. I figure that the Portra is going to perform better in the FT2 given its greater latitude.

The F90x is accurate down to a 3rd of a stop, which is better for the Ektar?

 

[George Mann]

Unfortunately, my sister has the car until 2PM today, so I will likely be out all night.

 

[miha]

My biggest dilemma is I have both a Nikkormat FT2, and an F90x. I figure that the Portra is going to perform better in the FT2 given its greater latitude.

The F90x is accurate down to a 3rd of a stop, which is better for the Ektar?

No dilemma then.

 

[George Mann]

You are going to have to sell me on the Ektar given that I would have to go back to the store to purchase it.

 

[George Mann]

Which is better for night photography?

 

[WilmarcoImaging]

Night photography examples.

Months when images were recorded:
Image 1: September
Image 2: November
Image 3: December

Ektar 100 in 4x5:


Portra 400 in 120:


Portra 400 at EI800 in 135, one stop push in Flexicolor:

 

[J 3]

Portura 120 and 400 are amazingly well behaved films. Ektar reacts somewhat like a slide film with an extra stop or two. It hates underexposure. My personal choice would be Portura 400, but shot at ISO 100. That's just because I've not photographed with it and would want to get an understanding of how it works. I took Ektar down to Zion one year and I really liked what it did to the rocks. The shadows in Ektar tend to color shift, when they are not blocked out. If you are digitally scanning, you can use Ektar for portraiture. You just have to dial down the contrast.

 

[George Mann]

Night photography examples.

Were you using a filter on the Portra shots?

 

[WilmarcoImaging]

George, no filters on the Portra images. A Schneider center filter was used on a Nikkor SW 75/4.5 for the Ektar image.

 

[George Mann]

I have compared both films on Flickr, and find that I prefer Portra. I am correct in assuming that I should avoid underexposing the 160 version?

 

[koraks]

Avoid underexposing any negative film, ever.

 

[George Mann]

Avoid underexposing any negative film, ever.

Yes of course, but some seem to tolerate up to a 1/2 stop useably.

 

[George Mann]

Well, I'm not getting out to shoot today, so it will have to wait for a more opportune time.

 

[mshchem]

Playing advocate of the devil a bit, but somewhat seriously: in that case, it doesn't matter all that much as you can make anything look like anything in digital post processing. As long as the film records useful information in all three color channels, you've got everything you need to get whatever look you'd like.

True!

 

[WilmarcoImaging]

George I expose Ektar and Portra 160 at box speed.

 

[BrianShaw]

George I expose Ektar and Portra 160 at box speed.

Ditto

 

[George Mann]

George I expose Ektar and Portra 160 at box speed.

I was referring to the variances encountered in difficult low-light scenes.

 

[DREW WILEY]

It's more important to pay attention to color temp issues with Ektar or an exaggerated blue shift is inevitable under certain circumstances. I always carry a pale pink or salmon skylight filter for minor correction, as well as an amber 81A (KR 1.5) for bluish overcast. Sometimes a stronger 81C is necessary for deep blue shadows under open blue winter or high altitude skies. These kinds of issues need to be addressed at the time of the shot; they can be very tricky or impossible to post-correct. So Ektar is fussier than Portra, but if you understand it, it will deliver more accurate hues in nature than Portra. It has quite a bit more contrast and saturation than P 160, but not as much as slide films. Fine-tuning contrast in the print is a different topic.

 

[George Mann]

The last post reminds me of the weird hues and saturation I got when I shot Ektar, along with the pink-skinned people. As I have never used Portra outside of a studio setting, it will be a new experience for me.