Color Film - What is best choice in today's market?

dave lackey

dave lackey

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I haven't bought or shot color film in ages. But, I have a hankering to give it a run for the Spring.

Obviously, I would like recommendations for portraits and for landscapes.

Negative or slide recommendations? I would like to know both as I have always preferred slides but want to just shoot negatives too, like the good old days when I drop them by the lab and pick up the next day. (My buddy still does that here in town at his shop)....:D
 
Best? Well best is goint to bring a variety of answers.
My favorite color neg films over the years are the one-two punch Fuji 160S and 400H.
 
Second that. You gonna get alot different answers.
Just start shooting different rolls and find what you love.

I do love a 160S and a 400H tho...
But apparently, as a poor student, most of the time its C200 and Colorplus and I still love those films too !
 
The bad news is that color film choices are as anemic as ever, and pricey as well. The good news is that color film is so excellent right now. Portra 160 and 400 are superb for low-saturated (or at least normal saturation) C41 films, Ektar 100 is excellent and very fine grain, and for slides you have Fuji Provia and Velvia, both of which I use often. I love Provia 400X and would shoot it all the time if I could, but $13 a roll makes it a luxury item for me.

I love color film. Someday I'll pick up one of those nice, shiny Fuji digitals that try to look like the classic rangefinders--I can't deny they aren't impressive little machines--and I'll slowly but surely phase out color film, but until that day comes I will continue to load up my Leicas with the excellent color films that are still out there. Nothing is quite as lovely as a perfectly exposed slide.
 
Colour film.

Neg wise I'd go either Portra or Ektar.
Slide wise, Kodak is pretty much out of the game, so if you want rich colours, go Fuji Velvia.
 
My favorite film, actually, is Kodak 800. Everything is super saturated, yet pastel, giving this amazing late-sixties technicolor look. Especially good indoors. It's my secret weapon. Don't like Portra much, love Ektar but it's too slow, and finicky with exposure. You get that slide film blue cast if you're off a stop or two.
 
Haven't tried Fuji 160s. I do like Portra 160's skin tones and natural (non-saturated) colour rendition for portraits. Ektar reminds me of Kodachrome with its saturated colours. I rarely shoot transparencies because of the cost (Velvia is over $20 a roll in Sydney), but I like it for its rich colour and dramatic contrast.

Thanks Scott for the HU on Kodak 800 - must give it a try.
 
Portra 400 which can be upped to 800 without losing a breath.

Ektar 100 for everything wild, outdoors, in natural light.

Cheap? Fuji Superia 400.
 
I love the Kodak Portra films and I shoot as much Portra 800 as I can afford. The rest of the time I use Kodak Gold or Fuji Superia films, which are of course a lot more affordable, as as a lot more color saturated.
 
Look for some Ektachrome E100G, there is still some around maybe. Really nice colors, and sharp too. Really a shame it is out of production...
8198987884_9ec1d216a7_c.jpg

Otherwise, Provia or Portra.
 
Also vote for Portra 400 for all around shooting, Ektar 100 for landscapes.
Funny that I shoot Fuji Superia 200 for everyday shooting, but when I shoot something serious, I'm a Kodak man. :D

Edit: Portra 400 sample:

Melaka by jwicaksana, on Flickr
 
I second the Ektachrome recommendation. I's a truly great film. If you can get any ( and you still can ) get it now. Especially in 120.

Otherwise, I do really like Portra, in both 160 and 400.
 
I'm another vote for Portra, both 160 and 400, as an all 'round color neg film. After not being impressed with Ektar initially, I shot some last summer in my Rollei 35 and that combination clicked for me, at least for landscape shots.

I really miss Reala. That was a great film.
 
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