Color 400 film recommendations

[degruyl]

In my lifelong attempt to standardize my film selection, I am having some issues with finding an ISO 400 color film that I like. Also, I would like to use the same film in 120 and 35mm.

For B&W, it is Tri-X. Just so you know that I am not against grain, per se. The problem is that color grain looks pretty bad when scanned.

So, I am currently using Fuji 400H. I am unhappy with the grain / noise. I wonder if someone has had a similar issue and knows of a film (either E-6 or C-41) that has better grain characteristics.

I have been pretty happy with both Portra and Fuji Pro 160 ISO films, but I have not really tried out the Portra 400 speed lately. Perhaps that is what I am looking for.

 

[btgc]

If you get lot of grain out of 400H I have to ask about your scanning route. And how you expose it - I routinely add 2/3-1 stop.

 

[degruyl]

That may be the issue. It is in the dark areas, mostly.

I do not get "a lot" of grain. I just find it distracting in large swatches of a consistent color. Usually dark areas.

The problem is that I am comparing it to Portra 160 NC, I think.

Anyway, to answer your question: Normal exposure, Scan on a Epson Pro 750 M, 3200 ppi, auto exposure on that scanner, bring it into Lightroom 2.5. Mostly this works fine, as stated. Except for Sky or other places with consistent colors.

 

[degruyl]

Sorry, forgot to mention: Scanned using Silverfast AI with most of the bells and whistles turned off (No ICE, no Sharpening, 48 bit color, Correct film settings). Scanned to TIFF.

 

[payasam]

I'm surprised. Fuji 400H is easily the best colour negative film of that speed I have used. You could try changing your scanning settings. For instance, is 48-bit colour really necessary?

 

[degruyl]

The scanner always scans in 48 bit, it downsamples to 24 bit after the scanning.

I am completely unconvinced about this film: in addition to the grain it has difficult color balance issues. Normally I ignore this, as "what film doesn't".

 

[wlewisiii]

Frankly, my favorite 400 speed C41 color film is Fuji Supermarket aka Superia. Good colors, good latiatude & good price. At 100 speed I still see a reason to buy more expensive film (Ektar, Reala, etc) depending on circumstances but I really have never found the extra cost of pro 400 to give me enough to be worth it.

Your milage will, of course, vary ... 😉

William

 

[btgc]

I will not insist though I have some memories about Silverfast...probably I hadn't profile for NPH and there were issues scanning it as generic iso400 negative. Something like that, can't say more because it were years ago.

Now I scan using canon's simple'n'dumb FilmGet. Lazy route, I know, though free and acceptable. And treats 400H/800Z nicely.

 

[degruyl]

Silverfast AI has a profile for either NPH or 400H, it is just a matter of finding them. On the other hand, I suspect they are both crap. I do not get better results with the Epson software, though.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

the same, I used pro400 and I was surprised by the nice results...scanning can really alter the characteristics of the film...

 

[typhillips]

I'm with wlewisii. I've tried a lot of different color fims (both pro and consumer) and for me, I get the best results with Superia 400. Overexposed by a stop, the grain is pretty reasonable IMO. Good latitude, accurate colors.

For me, the worst results were with Kodak 400VC. Yuck. I have a few rolls in my fridge and if anyone wants them, pick up the shipping and they're yours!

 

[degruyl]

I am going to attempt rescanning the 400H, but I am sticking to my guns on it appearing to be excessively grainy. I can correct for it, but I would rather have a clean scan. I hope that different scanner settings will help.

The particular problem is a roll of 35mm, but I doubt that format has any impact other than scaling. I have had slight grain issues with this film, but no worse than you would expect, in the past. In this case, it is bad. I was attempting to use two pictures from this roll over the weekend, and the grain is very obtrusive at 8x10x300dpi.

Does anyone know of a way for color film grain to be increased during processing? Normally temperature is highly regulated at the lab.

 

[Mephiloco]

I'm still trying to find a decent color film, at or around 400. Portra and 400H/Pro400 whatever, disappoint me especially considering the price. Just shot a few rolls of Fuji 800 Press and Kodak Max 400 and hopefully I get decent pictures.

Last time I shot 400H I just wasn't happy with the grain. Seemed to be grainier than Tri-X in Rodinal

 

[Macpod]

Is slide film ok?

Is slide film ok?

The finest grain 400ISO color comes from Provia 400 X. If you dont mind the process it has no equal. can even be pushed to 1600 with as much grain as 400 consumer film.

check flickr.

 

[Richard G]

Non-pro Superia 400 also.

 

[alifil]

I like everything about Fuji Pro 400H.



large



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[degruyl]

The finest grain 400ISO color comes from Provia 400 X. If you dont mind the process it has no equal. can even be pushed to 1600 with as much grain as 400 consumer film.

check flickr.

Actually, I have some in my fridge. I am in the process of switching to slides. This film is frighteningly expensive, but at least it appears to be available in 120 (I have it in 35mm).

 

[gdi]

Pro 400H is my favorite right now. Superior 400 is my least favorite, though it is cheap.

 

[fixbones]

Just loaded my first roll of Fuji Pro 400H. I have many great things about this film and saw many great examples on flickr.

Can wait for the result. Just need to get out and shoot more =D

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

The best/chosen film depends on what you will photograph with it... Anyway, with both Portras 400 most situations and subjects can be well treated. If well exposed, grain is really unobtrusive even in dark areas.

If you expose handheld and shoot manual, rate it at 200 if not filtered... For autoexposure, it's different because metering is easily fooled with lighter zones in the frame, giving the film too little light: then grain grows in development and colors get muddy.

Regards,

Juan