Kodak Portra 160 NC or VC?

rogueish · Mar 22, 2005

Kodak Portra 160 NC or VC, what's the difference between these two 120 format films?

I'm also looking for a decent colour 120 format film for landscapes. Some shots will be broad wide open fields with rolling hills, some will be shady (open and dense) forests and others will be river/waterfall/rapids.
Which film do you use?

David H. Bebbington · Mar 22, 2005

According to Kodak, one gives Normal Color, the other gives Vivid Color! VC is meant for studio use, NC for outside (uncontrolled lighting, according to Kodak). I personally use 160 VC for landscapes and really like the color rendition (although I must admit I have only scanned my negs and not made chemical prints).

Regards,

David

bobfowler · Mar 22, 2005

I like the NC for skin tones with electronic flash - specifically when using studio strobes. I must confess to using 400VC when shooting weddings. The extra color saturation helps pop the image when shooting available light in churches.

For landscape work, I'll stick with B&W!

panchromatic · Mar 22, 2005

I've heard people describe NC as (No Color) but I think its ignorant to say that, comparied to VC which has more color saturation. I personally like VC more than NC, but I shot the UC in the new packaging and I like it, though I found its only good in portraits, not a landscape film IMHO.

Sanjay Sen · Mar 22, 2005

I have used the NC (35mm only) and like the skin tones that it renders. I do not (usually) shoot indoors and do not use a flash. I have not tried VC but I found NC quite adequate for my landscapes as well.

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 22, 2005

One is "normal color" and the other is "vulgar color." Actually, it's not that bad, but in flat light, you might want the bit of a boost you get from the VC. I lean toward neutrality. NC skin tones are great.

Tom Duffy · Mar 22, 2005

I'd have to say "D", none of the above. The finest color neg film I've ever used is Kodak's Portra 400 UC. Low contrast, good saturation, excellent skintones and grain reputably equal to the 160 speed films. I now use this for all my color stuff except sheet sizes which aren't available.
Take care,
Tom

jd callow · Mar 22, 2005

For landscapes which I don't shoot I would go with 100uc (if I have a tripod) or 400uc, Reala would be my 3rd choice and NPC would be 4th. I don't like vc much, but I do think NC is a very fine film, but not the best for landscapes.

Kodak Portra 160 NC or VC?

rogueish

David H. Bebbington

bobfowler

panchromatic

Sanjay Sen

David A. Goldfarb

Moderator

Tom Duffy

jd callow

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Kodak Portra 160 NC or VC?

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