ISO 800 Colour in 120?

[lonemantis]

Hi all, I'm looking for a C-41 film in 120 size to use on a portrait project I'll be starting soon. It'll be mostly indoor natural light, so an 800-speed would be best. So far Portra 800 seems the most readily available with good results, but do you guys have any recommendations?

 

[lonemantis]

As well, how would you compare Portra 800 vs 400 pushed one stop?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Fuji NHGII 800 was available in 120 too, but it seems to be no longer available. I think Kodak Portra 800 is going to be the only choice. It is good stuff, or was many years ago when I last used it.

 

[lonemantis]

Thanks! Looks like Portra is the most practical option... now to try and find it for cheap.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Kodak 500T is more suited for artificial light. He wants "indoor natural light" --unless I'm mistaken in assuming that by "natural" is "not artificial".

 

[Photo_Smith]

Portra 800 is a very good natural looking film, not as fine grained as Portra 400 and in some cases the latter would be a better choice and look finer grained pushed 1 stop.
But as skin tones are important I'll plump for the 800.

I know these probably won't be much help but here goes... the first is Portra 800.

Taken under a canopy of beech trees, the conditions were darker than they look. I guess 1/15 second wide open at 800.

The following is Portra 400 rated at EI1600 (longer development time– pushed)

statue by Photo Utopia, on Flickr

Those would be the best options as far as I can see...

 

[HHPhoto]

Another alternative is leaving the C-41 route and using Provia 400X with Push 1.
This film is both excellent @ 400 and pushed one stop @ 800.
@800 400X grain is finer than Portra 800, and the Provia delivers higher resolution and better sharpness.

Provia 400X slides @ 800 can be easily enlarged more than 40x: I project them on a 1 meter x 1,5 meter screen, and they are looking awesome.
You cannot make such big enlargements with Portra 800 (well, of course you can, but with a much worse quality....).

Cheers, Jan

 

[mugent]

When I shot Portra 400 (the new one), I regularly shot it at 800, no pushing required, it's just a fantastic film with amazing latitude.

 

[thegman]

If it's indoors, shoot Kodak 500T.

I believe 500T is only available in 35mm, not 120.

There is always Provia 400X pushed one stop if you're interested in a slide film, otherwise, Portra 400 or 800. There is also Fujifilm's 400H or whatever it's replacement is called.