Balancing out warm film

[Fjäll]

Howdy folks!

The 35mm film in the fridge needed restocking and subsequently stumbled upon a discounted lot of Kodak Ultramax 400. As lovely as the Porta 400 is - I got just about twice as much Ultramax for the price.

I haven't got a ton of experience with the Ultramax but it has always seemed a bit on the warm side.

So the question I'm asking if it could be balanced out with a filter such as a 82c or the like. I'd love to hear if you have any suggestions on this topic.

 

[Corran]

It's negative film. Adjust the color balance to taste in your scan.

 

[Fjäll]

It's negative film. Adjust the color balance to taste in your scan.

Definitely a workable solution. My scanner output is usually quite accurate and little to no adjustments are needed. I don't convert 35mm negative scans in any software. It would be preferable keeping it that way. Thanks for your response.

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

If the digital acquisition process is good and no dramatic colour casts are involved, sometimes a moderate reduction in overall saturation (5–10% or so, for me) can go some way to getting a more pleasing result. Bear in mind the type of lenses used, too. Very old single or even uncoated glass versus modern multi coated will give different results, so, if you're researching others' usage of the film (really, any colour film) online, it can be instructive, to know these details.

 

[charjohncarter]

RAW Therapee is a freeware program. It is very overwhelming so you may not want to learn it, but for free you get an excellent color temperature slider. I'm still using only about 20% of what is available, but for me it has been a real learning curve. But give the temperature slider a try, if you don't like it hit the delete button.

I've been given, but now gone, some UltraMax that was badly expired and that slider 'saved' many photos.

 

[Fjäll]

If the digital acquisition process is good and no dramatic colour casts are involved, sometimes a moderate reduction in overall saturation (5–10% or so, for me) can go some way to getting a more pleasing result. Bear in mind the type of lenses used, too. Very old single or even uncoated glass versus modern multi coated will give different results, so, if you're researching others' usage of the film (really, any colour film) online, it can be instructive, to know these details.

Right! Yes lenses certainly has a big impact on color, especially true on film. It seems however most examples shot with this particular film are all somewhat tinted a bit yellow. I might just get the filter and experiment myself.

RAW Therapee is a freeware program. It is very overwhelming so you may not want to learn it, but for free you get an excellent color temperature slider. I'm still using only about 20% of what is available, but for me it has been a real learning curve. But give the temperature slider a try, if you don't like it hit the delete button.

I've been given, but now gone, some UltraMax that was badly expired and that slider 'saved' many photos.

I do have and use Photoshop on occasion and like you say learning a new software isn't ideal. But thanks for mentioning it! The idea is to avoid software and get the results I want straight from the scanning. Works with Portra, not so much with Ultramax I worry.

 

[CMur12]

I see no reason why the cooling filter wouldn't do what you want it to do. An 82B or C should provide enough of a shift in your case.

Photographers often prefer to adjust the lighting in post processing because they don't have to buy or carry a filter. That preference doesn't mean that the filter wouldn't work for you as your preferred approach.

- Murray