Which colour negative film best with drum scanners?

sperera · Nov 13, 2009

Hi there, just got a roll of Fuji Reala back from the lab (120 format).

I gave it to them to process and scan onto a CD as it was on their price list....so in the end I got a CD and the colour negatives......

To compare results I scanned a couple myself on my Scanmate Scanview 5000 scanner....

I scanned as a colour positive and then did an invert in Photoshop and adjusted levels til I got what I liked.......

Summary: I must say both versions are usable to give out the film chic vibe that's in at the moment in fashion photography so Im very happy to shoot some colour negatives in the future.....

BUT, I'm left wondering what say Kodak Portra 160NC would be like scanned....the new Kodak Ekta....and so on.....

AS we all know colour negatives give more grain when scanned....well they do on my scanner....so

Im after the finest grained colour negative film to use on a drum scanner.....

ANYONE CARE TO COMMENT?

Bruce Watson · Nov 13, 2009

I don't find much difference between the Fuji 160S and Kodak 160PortraVC/NC lines. As in, nearly identical results. There are small variants in the color pallets, and small variants in the way the films handle certain lighting conditions. But these things are easy enough to accommodate in scanning setup.

If you push me to pick just one it would be the Kodak. I think I probably like it's color pallet a bit more. But again, both films scan excellently for me.

For the record, I'm scanning them on an Optronics ColorGetter drum scanner, and most of my experience with these films are in the sheet film variants (5x4 film, different film base than roll film). Just sayin'.

erikhatt · Nov 13, 2009

I have tried some Ektar on my Icg 365. I think its not suited for skintones. But i really like the tones of Portra scanned on my Epson V700. But i have never worked hard to scan C41 on the drum, since i shoot mostly E6 or B&W. But if somebody have a great tip on how to obtain top results from C41 on an ICG, please step forward!

pellicle · Nov 14, 2009

sperera said:
AS we all know colour negatives give more grain when scanned....well they do on my scanner....so
...
ANYONE CARE TO COMMENT?

I get more 'grain' but more sharpness. Chromes tend to have some fairly consistent 'softness' about them compared to Negative.

essentially however when printing at 300dpi not looking at screens at 100% and essentially 100dpi the grain melts.

some of my experiences:

http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2008/08/provia-v-160pros.html

this one is long, and complex, but you may find value in examining the results of scans and then the scans of prints made from the film scans

http://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2009/05/digital-vs-film-scans-screens-and.html

sperera · Nov 14, 2009

thank you very much people.....always appreciate the help.....compare these shots.....
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this one was scanned by me.....

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this one was scanned by the lab.....

Both shots are Fuji Reala rated at 100 speed. In hindsight I prefer my scan though both are perfectly usable results imparting that chic film vibe in vogue at the moment.....

I think we're in a very good place in that we're appreciating the different looks available to us as artistic expressions and niot just accepting digital as the be all and end all....I mean, here we all are, developing film, scanning film, using chemicals and this and that and basically going against the grain in order to GET the grain.....

we are the rennaissance....rejoice! hahahhahahaha the fixer chemicals are affecting me!

sperera · Nov 14, 2009

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mrred · Nov 14, 2009

sperera said:
BUT, I'm left wondering what say Kodak Portra 160NC would be like scanned....the new Kodak Ekta....and so on.....

AS we all know colour negatives give more grain when scanned....well they do on my scanner....so

Im after the finest grained colour negative film to use on a drum scanner.....

ANYONE CARE TO COMMENT?

I can't say anything about Ektar, as I have never used it. I have been lucky enough to pick up a 100' spool of Portra100NC and love it. Smooth and fine grain. Here is a sample.

cupcake_ham · Nov 25, 2009

mrred said:
I can't say anything about Ektar, as I have never used it. I have been lucky enough to pick up a 100' spool of Portra100NC and love it. Smooth and fine grain. Here is a sample.

Do you mean Portra 160 or 400?

Carl1 · Dec 5, 2009

I have had great luck with Kodak Ektar 100 and drum scans beautifully. Very fine grain and luster look. Of course it helps to use the best scanner and the most experienced operator.

www.mondragonfineart.com

Which colour negative film best with drum scanners?

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