Using 800 ISO color film

[kivis]

How do folks feel about using 800 ISO Color film? When I use it, I mainly shoot it at 400 ISO except when I really need the higher ISO like at night. What I am losing over a 400 ISO film? Any thoughts on this? Also any preference between Fuji, Kodak Gold or Portra?

 

[CGW]

I always shot Fuji Superia 800 between 500-640(800 in a pinch)and saw less grain and better contrast than Superia 400. Now it's Portra which can take a full stop of under-exposure(an ISO800 rating)and still look great with none of the murkiness I sometimes saw with Superia 800 at box speed or a bit underexposed.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have never had a problem shooting ISO 800 C-41 film at box speed.

 

[removed-user-1]

I used to use Fuji 800 for indoor sports and concerts, and I never had any problems using it at the rated speed. (But I really preferred the look of Fuji 1600 speed color print film, which is sadly long gone now. Oh well.)

 

[markbarendt]

I think they are fun, 800iso C41 film is really nice in cameras like a Holga.

In cameras with good exposure control I shoot all my film at box speed unless something forces me away from that.

I haven't found one I can't get along with.

 

[tim elder]

I really like Portra 800-2 at box speed in 120. I haven't felt the need to rate it at 640 or 500 although I guess I do overexpose it a little bit from time to time.

-Tim

 

[film_man]

If I need speed I shoot Portra 400 at anything up to 3200.

On the other hand Portra 800 is very good at 800, very nicely soft and glowy at 400 or even 250. I also particularly like how Portra 800 looks in mixed artificial (i.e. urban night/indoors) lighting.

Kodak Gold I wouldn't use if it was given to me for free. I don't particularly like the Fuji palette but the few rolls of Fuji 800 I used I found grainy and not as good as Portra 800. But that's a subjective thing.