Portra confusion

sly · May 10, 2011

So I've got some outdated (2001) 120 film. No box. Foil wrapping is labelled Portra 400 NC. Inside the stickum tape is labelled 160NC, while the paper backing, in smaller letters, is 400NC. Now I believe there are 2 different films - 400 and 160 - referring to the ISO. What do I expose this film at?

Diapositivo · May 10, 2011

160, to err on the safe side

eddie · May 10, 2011

Do you have enough so you can test a roll? If so, shoot half at 160 and the other half at 400.

Sirius Glass · May 10, 2011

The wrapper and the paper state 400 NC so I would go with that and shoot it at ISO 400.

Steve

vpwphoto · May 10, 2011

Sirius Glass said:
The wrapper and the paper state 400 NC so I would go with that and shoot it at ISO 400.

Steve

Agreed... that is really strange. Twice thid month that I've heard of something like this. Never experianced it in my 20 years though.
NC is Natural Color
VC was Vivid Color...

Tim Gray · May 10, 2011

Sounds like it's 400. But if you exposed it at 160, I'm sure it'd come out just fine.

Sirius Glass · May 10, 2011

Tim Gray said:
Sounds like it's 400. But if you exposed it at 160, I'm sure it'd come out just fine.

Actually, I have tried this and at ISO 160 the highlights will tend to get blown out. It would be ok at ISO 320, but ISO 160 is "a bridge too far" for ISO 400 film.

Steve

sly · May 10, 2011

I've got 2 rolls. I already shot one at 160, on the theory that overexposed is better than underexposed (....no....really...... I was going for the ethereal look ....yeah.....that's it.... ).

I'll shoot the other at 400 and let you all know

Tim Gray · May 10, 2011

Sirius Glass said:
Actually, I have tried this and at ISO 160 the highlights will tend to get blown out. It would be ok at ISO 320, but ISO 160 is "a bridge too far" for ISO 400 film.

Really? I've shot newer Portra 400NC/VC 4 or 5 stops over and still had of highlight detail for scenes without crazy contrast requirements.

Sirius Glass · May 11, 2011

Older Porta

brucemuir · May 11, 2011

compromise and shoot it @ 200

Thingy · May 11, 2011

If only it was like sheet film, then you could use the notches on the film edge to tell you exactily what film you have!

sly · May 31, 2011

So I got the 2 rolls back today.

First - if I'm going to shoot colour seriously I'll need to find a proper professional lab. I've not shot any colour negs for a few years. This joint used to do reasonably OK work, but I don't think they've dusted their machine in the last couple of years - a bazillion dust spots on the prints.

Next - the film's definately 400 - it's right there on the rebate. BUT - the roll I shot at 320 is a bit thin, while the one at 160 actually looks much better. The prints don't look overexposed either - no blown highlights. I've uploaded one to the gallery. If I find any more of this stuff in the freezer I probaly will split the difference and shoot at 200.

stavrosk · Jun 10, 2011

The new portra is true 400 ISO

Portra confusion

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