Fuji Reala 100 vs Kodak 160 VC

[Arvay]

Which one will you choose and why?
If none of these two which one?
Negative films only 🙂

 

[jan normandale]

I use them both.

 

[Arvay]

I use them both.

Me as well. The question is if you are offered either of them what will be the choice?

 

[ferider]

Used to use both. Now only Reala. Reasons: cheaper, easier to scan, prefer ASA 100. If I need higher speed I switch to 400. Kodak VC is more saturated, of course.

Roland.

 

[ampguy]

my other is Portra 400

my other is Portra 400

but I use Reala for the low cost.

I've never paid for Portra, but imagine it's expensive. I have some of those sample tubes in the refrigerator still.

 

[wlewisiii]

I far prefer Reala to VC. It's cheaper, easier to use &, important to me, it renders asian skin tones closer to what my eyes see.

William

 

[sockeyed]

I shoot Reala because it's less expensive, easier to find, and a great film.

I tried a roll of the 400VC and really liked it; it's too bad there's no Fuji equivalent (400H to too flat for general work, I find).

 

[btgc]

Superia Reala, to be exact, because it's good film for it's price and easy to find here and when traveling. ISO160 speed films both from Kodak and Fuji are by about 1/2 stop more expensive than Reala.
I like how Reala renders world so I don't leap for 160'ers.

 

[Kin Lau]

Strange... I bought a couple of 120 propacks of Portra 160VC because it was 2/3rd's the price of Reala. All fresh stuff.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Kodak 400UC is my favorite general purpose film. Scans very nicely.

Between your choices though, I'll take the 160VC. One reason being that I like to rate my color down a bit and the extra speed of the 160 keeps me at/above 100 (125).

 

[Bingley]

My current favorite is still Portra 400NC, although I also like 400UC for landscapes. I find using 400 film preferable for street shots, b/c I can use a faster shutter speed and still shoot at f.8 in the shade. That said, I'm going to be giving Reala more of a try, b/c so many others here like it and b/c it's less expensive than Portra.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Isn't Reala supposed to be the finest-grained print film?

I started using it because i saw some pictures on Flickr by "stpiduko," made with a Nikon 28mm lens, and i couldn't believe how sharp and vivid they were. Yes, they're low-res JPGs, but there are some large versions online. Whatever. Even in comparison to the same guy's images with other, similar speed films, and even in comparison to his 6x7 images.... The Reala was spectacular.

I later was looking at a large format book of photographs by fashion photographer/Vogue contributor, Tim Walker. I thought i recognized the 'signature' of the Pentax 67 in his images. I looked for information about him and discovered he shoots with a Pentax, but a 35mm Pentax. And, he shoots Reala.

It's just good stuff. I've always liked Superia, too.

Portra is fantastic, but i seem to like it only in the larger formats. In 120, it's perfect stuff for shooting people. There's nothing like a Mamiya RZ or Pentax 67 image with Portra, if we're talking about 'people' pictures.

 

[Rey]

i tend to use Realla in 35mm format (sharper) and 160 VC in medium format, I'm not sure why, but the enhanced saturation seems to lend itself better to the larger negative.

 

[jan normandale]

@c k D H / archie leach; I like superia esp for 135, I'm tending toward 120 when I say I like both the Reala and VC. I find the MF stuff seems better than 135 and I don't really know why because it should be identical. I like 160 except for low light. I think there's a colour shift there. However the 400 ISO of any of these (not the Reala) seems to perform well in low light and I use it there.

 

[Ronald M]

The new Portra 160 is made for scanning and it is wonderful. Same with Fuji 160s.

I don`t care about cost one whit. One does not buy a Ferrari (Leica) and put cheap off brand gas in it.

 

[Michael P.]

Interesting about Tim Walker. Which 35mm Pentax did he use?

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Reala kills in 120. I only now just bought it in 35 for the first time and will be loading up a couple of cameras tomorrow...

 

[Fuchs]

I use Reala in 120. It both scans and enlarges beautifully

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

Interesting about Tim Walker. Which 35mm Pentax did he use?

I have no idea. I couldn't find that information. Even though i like the look from Pentax lenses, they just never made a camera body that made me want to adopt the system. I can't imagine what Walker might be using on those Vogue shoots.... He certainly doesn't seem the type to care about looking like a typical fashion fotog, though.

EDIT: Since the original post (see above, also), i have reason to believe Walker also shoots with the Pentax 67.

 

[Rayt]

160VC is my favorite color C41 film for people and street. Contrast is not high and has a pleasing tonality to it. I use 400uc when I need a faster film. Reala is a great film especially for landscapes but I don't do much of that. For 100asa film I just use Gold 100. Reala really needs a warming filter for overcast shots else you get this green hue I don't see with Kodak films though i haven't used all of them.