Best high speed C41 film?

[Ix4224]

Hi,
I'm new to film and have been looking for trying out higher speed C41 film (ISO 800 and above) now that days are getting darker/shorter.

I know there's film like Portra 800 but I'm curious to to know what high speed film people like shooting the most. Also wondering if people push lower speed film instead.

Thanks!

 

[Ko.Fe.]

In late October I checked Kodak 400 Ultra Max scans @1600. It was fine. And it is most affordable C41 film left on this planet.

 

[brbo]

The best is Fuji Superia/Natura 1600.

Discontinued, but you can still find it at some stores...

 

[Phil_F_NM]

^ What he said.
Now that digital cameras are hitting ISOs over half a million, there is very little market for anyone to produce a high speed film emulsion. Grab all that Fuji 1600 while you can, stick it in a freezer and enjoy the sunset.

Phil Forrest

 

[Peter_S]

1) Natura 1600
2) Portra 800
3) Push Portra 400

 

[Swift1]

Lomo 800 is surprisingly good film.
Cinestill 800 is very good too.

 

[valdas]

Also Fuji Superia 800

 

[ornate_wrasse]

I second the use of Fuji Natura 1600. I didn't realize you could get it in the US and thought it was only sold in Japan. My nephew bought it in Japan for me, that's how I was able to get it.

Here's an image taken using Fuji Natura 1600:

 

[Ix4224]

That's for the responses everyone! I'll look into stocking up on some Natura 1600 then.

 

[michaelwj]

1) Natura 1600
2) Portra 800
3) Push Portra 400

I'd swap 3 and 2 around.
The colours are a bit washed out on 800, while 400@800 is more like 400@400 than 800@800.
I shot my nieces christening on Portra800, if I were doing it again, I'd shoot Portra400@800. Portra400 is cheaper and easier to get that Portra800 too. Develop it yourself to avoid price gouging push processing costs.

I've never used Natura so I'll cede to the masses and leave it in first place 😀

 

[Huss]

Lomo 800 is surprisingly good film.

And it is way cheap in comparison.

 

[dmr]

I might try the Lomo. Is this just relabeled Fuji? On my do-it list is to visit a Lomo Shop when I'm in a city that has one, but it just hasn't happened yet.

I've also had good luck with the Cinestill 800, but it's balanced for tungsten and not for daylight.

 

[brbo]

I might try the Lomo. Is this just relabeled Fuji?

Users report that it has a "Made in the USA" printed on the box, so probably not Fuji.

 

[WJJ3]

FWIW, I’m not a big fan of Natura 1600. I guess if you have to have a 1600 ASA rated film, it’s probably the best option, but from my experience with it so far, it’s just not sharp enough.

I would suggest a faster lens, a tripod, or a flash and 400 ASA film...

 

[Carey M]

Portra 400 at 800, even without a push is pretty damn nice, if you're scanning. At 1600 it'll probably benefit from a little push, but i've gotten some satisfactory results even without, depending on the lighting.

I do like Natura/Superia 1600, but I usually set my meter to 1000/1250 ASA with it.

 

[Swift1]

I might try the Lomo. Is this just relabeled Fuji? On my do-it list is to visit a Lomo Shop when I'm in a city that has one, but it just hasn't happened yet.

I've also had good luck with the Cinestill 800, but it's balanced for tungsten and not for daylight.

I think the current Lomo 800 is from Kodak stock.
I've found that Cinestill 800 does quite well in daylight. If you're scanning, it's not difficult to balance the colors for daylight.

Cinestill 800, Rolleiflex 2.8C Planar

 

[capitalK]

I haven't shot much colour in a while, but this thread reminded me how much I liked Fujicolor Pro 800Z.

 

[2wenty]

Fuji Superia 800 and 1600 is pretty good. Freestyle still has them both. Or push Portra 400 (in my opinion, I never liked portra 800), it can go up to 3200 fine. Also Cinestill 800 can push really well.

Superia 1600 underexposed, can't remember how much. Also I developed it myself. Im sure a lab would do better.

beate (film) by 2wenty, on Flickr


Portra 400 at 1600

Late night adventure by 2wenty, on Flickr

Cinestill 800. If I recall, I think this was at 1600. But I've shot it at 3200 and its comes out pretty much the same quality.

El Coyote by 2wenty, on Flickr