State of the Art in Color Print Films

[OldManJim]

Hi:

I've been out of the film game for about 15 years. Recently, I've been working with B&W films, Ilford HP5+ and Ultrafine 400 mostly.

Now, I'd like to try some color print films. I'm interested in your thoughts on the best fine grain film (i.e. Velvia 50 like - although I know that's a slide film) and a fast color film (i.e. Delta 3200 like).

I know I could go out and buy a bunch of films but it seemed like it would be faster to ask here - not to mention avoiding the lengthy explanations to my wife about why I spent so much money.

Not trying to start a war here, just interested in learning what's currently available. I could shoot 35mm or 120, but I'd prefer 120 for the larger negatives.

 

[webestang64]

Kodak Ektar 100 for fine grain and Fuji 400 for low light, of course I shoot it all conditions. Fuji 400 is my favorite color print film. I've pushed it to 1600 with great results.

Fuji 400 rated at 320 ISO.

 

[cgw]

With respect, I'd first scope out labs in your area that still have busy C-41 processing lines. Go for mail order if local resources are lousy or absent. Crappy developing--and even worse scanning and printing--have never been easier to find. The consumer Fujifilm and Kodak materials are all reliable and affordable in 35mm. Kodak Ektar and Portra 160/400/800 are all 120 winners.

 

[Dave Colangelo]

For color work I shoot Fuji Velvia 50 almost exclusively at this point. I like the colors, the fine grain and the look. I have shot (and still sometimes do shoot) plenty of Kodak but its just not the same. As others have said you will need to find our mail out to a good E-6 lab. If you are really serious about it all you may want to consider buying a scanner they are not terribly expensive these days and may balance out in the long run. If you have lots of old negatives you can use it to digitize them as well.

 

[AlanKlein]

I like shooting Velvia 50 in 120 format. I find it's easier to scan than print films and you know immediately if the shot was exposed correctly, unlike with print film. Although I use a meter and shoot from a tripod, I still bracket my shots. Good luck on whatever you decide to use. Have fun. Shoot your wife and then give her a blown up framed photo of it. If you have kids, do that too. Your wife won't ask what it cost.
Search: velvia | Flickr

 

[Dave Colangelo]

Shoot your wife and then give her a blown up framed photo of it

Be careful, crime scene photography is tough.

 

[Derrel]

Ektar 100 is amazingly fine-grained. In 120, 6x6 negs shot on Ektar 100 are amazingly detailed! I have shot mostly Ektachrome 64 and Ektachrome 100, and the very old VPS (replaced by Portra many years ago, as well as Portra NC 160 mostly, but Ektar 100 is finer-grained, and simply amazing. Portra NC scans well, and has lower contrast than "consumer" or "prosumer" film stocks.

I think you ought to buy a few rolls of several films, and SEE for yourself, with your lab,and your shooting methods, what _you_ like.

"Opinions are like @##%)L%&...everybody has one."

 

[Derrel]

I prefer slide film for a lot of uses...

 

[OldManJim]

times

My local lab seems pretty good; they are used by a number of pros in the area that shoot film. I've shot a Macbeth color chart, sent the film to them and compared the results. They were quite good.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

 

[bhop]

IMO, Ektar 100 is the best for fine grain negative film.