srtiwari
Daktari
Next week, on my trip to India, I plan to take some Reala and Ektar, but would also like to take some 400 film. I don't usually use this speed and am therefore unfamiliar. But I suspect 400 (or faster) may be better for "street shooting".
What film do most people like, best balanced between natural colors, good saturation, fine grain, and scanability ?
What film do most people like, best balanced between natural colors, good saturation, fine grain, and scanability ?
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sherm
Well-known
The nicest one I've used as of late is Fuji NPZ800. Really punchy color and the grain IMO is terrific considering the speed....
Have Fun !
Have Fun !
allen_a_george
Established
I like Portra 400 - the colors are very much to my taste. Wasn't a fan of 400H; a bit too muted for me.
thirteen
Established
Kodak 400UC or Fuji NPZ800. Great colors, low grain.
Andrew Sowerby
Well-known
I've been using Fuji Superia 400 for a while now. It's cheap and I like the colour (although it's more saturated than some might like). Like the above poster, I find Fuji 400H to be too muted. I used Fuji 800Z a while ago (when it was NPZ) and I was really impressed with the colour and grain. I would probably use it more, but I don't need the extra stop.
funkaoshi
Well-known
Fuji Superia 400 isn't bad, and has the advantage of being very cheap. You can buy packs of it in Walmart for not much at all. I recently tried Kodak Porta 400NC, with mixed results on the roll I shot. Lots of people really like this stuff though. I'll probably try it again at some point.
urban_alchemist
Well-known
Fuji Pro400H is quite simply the best film I have ever used. Creamy whites, life-like skin tones, beautiful graduation and fine, subtle grain, it also happens to be as good if not better pushed to 800 (I personally prefer it to 800Z).
Divine...
400H:
400H@800
Divine...
400H:
400H@800
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maddoc
... likes film again.
Kodak 400UC.
Pablito
coco frío
Mountbatten Royal 400. Captures the essence of India. Muddy colours if shot elsewhere, though.
srtiwari
Daktari
This has gotten even more complicated !
I see that there is a Press/Superia (about $.50) more than the "Regular" Superia 400, BUT it is not available. Is that the "Reala" of 400 iso ?
I will have to choose between the Pro 400H and the Superia, I think. The Kodak products all look a bit "warmer" than the Fuji ones. Of course, that is the impression one gets from Flickr. ( I know, its subject to many variables by the time its put up there)
Tough situation, since I don't really have the time to "Test" any films by this coming friday. :bang:
I see that there is a Press/Superia (about $.50) more than the "Regular" Superia 400, BUT it is not available. Is that the "Reala" of 400 iso ?
I will have to choose between the Pro 400H and the Superia, I think. The Kodak products all look a bit "warmer" than the Fuji ones. Of course, that is the impression one gets from Flickr. ( I know, its subject to many variables by the time its put up there)
Tough situation, since I don't really have the time to "Test" any films by this coming friday. :bang:
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I like how the Fuji 400H handles mixed lighting, and it gives wonderful greens in the woods (as urban_alchemist shows above). I've just gotten some of the 800Z to try, loaded up the MP3 with it this afternoon.
charjohncarter
Veteran
How can you have a favorite, there are so many wonderful films out there? Even some of the not so wonderful ones have something to offer.
mh2000
Well-known
I personally like the look of Kodak HD 400 (on the rare times that I shoot color seriously).
srtiwari
Daktari
I guess the 400H is leading in the polls !
And, Sepiareverb, thanks for the note about mixed lighting- that makes it seem more desirable.
So...how is it otherwise different from the "Amateur" fuji product ?
And, Sepiareverb, thanks for the note about mixed lighting- that makes it seem more desirable.
So...how is it otherwise different from the "Amateur" fuji product ?
W
wlewisiii
Guest
I like the Supermarket, er, Superia 400 as it's reasonably priced, available in lots of places (hence my Supermarket joke) and, like all Fuji color film, it handles non-caucasian skin tones and mixed lighting better, to my eyes, than their Kodak equivalents.
It's also the Walgreen's house lable film and can sometimes be found very cheap as a result.
William
It's also the Walgreen's house lable film and can sometimes be found very cheap as a result.
William
sherm
Well-known
srtiwari
Daktari
Its a lovely picture, Sherm. I have earlier used the press 800 Fuji and found it to be great. I just wondered if I could have even finer grain with a 400 film.
Subhash
Subhash
sherm
Well-known
I'm sure the grain would be finer although we might be talking loupes and light tables here.
Any of the newer Hi-speed emulsions will work great whichever your choice. It took some actual examples from fellow RFF member "Sockeyed" of the Fuji when I was asking some of the same questions you are today.
I think the trip to India itself outweighs any film choice !! I hope you have a wonderful time. You may want to look at one of the member's galleries here... "Nachkebia" did a lot of shooting in India a year or so ago and some of the photos were exceptional...... you may get some ideas there.
All the Best!
Sherm
Any of the newer Hi-speed emulsions will work great whichever your choice. It took some actual examples from fellow RFF member "Sockeyed" of the Fuji when I was asking some of the same questions you are today.
I think the trip to India itself outweighs any film choice !! I hope you have a wonderful time. You may want to look at one of the member's galleries here... "Nachkebia" did a lot of shooting in India a year or so ago and some of the photos were exceptional...... you may get some ideas there.
All the Best!
Sherm
srtiwari
Daktari
Yes, of course it does. I will be seeing a lot of friends and relatives I have not since my last trip in '95. That is why I am being so obsessive with the choice of gear and film-
10 days, 2 camera bodies, 3 lenses, and 6 rolls of 100 iso, and 6 rolls of 400 iso film. So far, its M6, Bessa R3A, Zi 28mm/2.8, 50 Summicron, 90 elmarit, 6 rolls Reala and 6 rolls of -"?"
And I hope to spend some time with my friend Mukul (Payasam) who is often seen here on RFF !
Sisyphus
Sisyphus
For night time I would use Fuji Provia 400 color slide film. You can rate and push it at 800, 1600, and 3200, with pretty amazing results.
For Day time use, I would photograph with kodachrome 64, Fuji 100F, or fuji velvia. If you like to experiment, I would mix and match. If you want to have a consistant look, I would pick one and become proficient with it.
I personally like slide film better than color negative film. Or maybe two films, one for daytime use, and one for night time.
Have a great trip:
:S:
For Day time use, I would photograph with kodachrome 64, Fuji 100F, or fuji velvia. If you like to experiment, I would mix and match. If you want to have a consistant look, I would pick one and become proficient with it.
I personally like slide film better than color negative film. Or maybe two films, one for daytime use, and one for night time.
Have a great trip:
:S: