Which Col Negative Film?

GeneW · 07-10-2004

I'm mainly a B&W shooter, but I'm thinking about trying out some col negative film in my RF's for a change of pace and am a bit confused at how all the names (esp Kodak) have changed since I last shot any.

The last rolls of colour I shot were Fuji Superia Xtra 800 and it scanned pretty well and the grain was smaller than I thought it would be. I was pretty happy with it for cityscapes, though I've heard it doesn't make people look very good.

Kodak now has something called High Definition colour film. Anyone tried it? Worth shooting? What is their MAX like?

We have some older Kodak Gold 200 col film that my wife uses in her P&S cam and I find it surprisingly grainy when scanned.

I like to use films that are easily obtainable in the big variety stores like Wal-Mart. Prof col films require me to make a special trip to the city and the film is expensive so I'd rather rule them out.

I'm not a fan of colour slides. I find the exposure too fussy.

Any thoughts? What col films do you shoot?

Gene

Todd.Hanz · 07-10-2004

Gene,
Kodak Hi-Definition is the same film as Kodak Royal Gold with the name changed for marketing purposes. I use this film for my color shots for the same reason you stated, it's cheap and it's available at Walmart. I think it scans well with good color rendition. I also use the Kodak Portra line of professional Films and Fuji NPH, but for the money and availability I typically grab the Hi-Def.

GeneW · 07-10-2004

Thanks Todd. So *that's* what happened to Royal Gold. I wondered where it went. I'll try out some Hi-Def.

Also if anyone knows, exactly what is the newly packaged Kodak Black and White film. Is this T400CN repackaged?

Do they keep changing the names just to confuse us old dodderers?

Gene

Todd.Hanz · 07-10-2004

Kodaks C-41 process (1 hr) film is still T400CN with new packaging, I like Illford XP-2 better but it's hard to find at retail stores.
Here is an example of Kodak Hi-Defintion shot with an old Contax IIa, 50mm Sonnar 1.5 @ f11 or f16, scanned on a flatbed scanner. There is some grain in the sky portion but I attribute that to my "Dedicated Flatbed Scanner" (the grain is not seen in the prints or negs under a 10x loupe).

GeneW · 07-10-2004

Todd, this looks very good on my monitor. Good colours and nice detail in the white hilights. Thanks for posting this!

Gene

ZeissFan · 07-10-2004

One film that I've really come to like is Portra 160NC. I like how it renders skin tones, and colors are good though certainly not what you could call vibrant.

DickS · 07-10-2004

I shoot the cheapest color negative film I can find and that is usually Agfa Vista. Wal-Mart sells it under the Polaroid name.

Dick

GeneW · 07-10-2004

Mike - thanks for the info on Portra 160NC. I've heard it's an excellent portrait film.

Dick - Agfa Vista is a new one to me. What's the ISO? Does it directly compare to any Kodak or Fuji film? How is the grain structure?

Thanks,

Gene