Kodak Ultra Color 400

[egpj]

I do not shoot much color film so I really have no experience with it. I wanted to know if anyone had any thoughts on this film (Good/Bad). I plan on using it inside a airplane hanger. I found a spot here in Florida that is a personal collection of a wealthy businessman and I will be taking some shots of his collection this weekend. He has cars like Al Unser Jr's F-1 car from the 1989 Indy 500 (he came in 2nd that year), a corvette first year production, mustang GT 500, and several other man sized toys.

There are no windows in the hanger but the hanger door will be open. Do you guys and gals think the 400 UC can handle this? Thanks.

Glenn

 

[jan normandale]

I do not shoot much color film so I really have no experience with it. I wanted to know if anyone had any thoughts on this film (Good/Bad). I plan on using it inside a airplane hanger. I found a spot here in Florida that is a personal collection of a wealthy businessman and I will be taking some shots of his collection this weekend. He has cars like Al Unser Jr's F-1 car from the 1989 Indy 500 (he came in 2nd that year), a corvette first year production, mustang GT 500, and several other man sized toys.

There are no windows in the hanger but the hanger door will be open. Do you guys and gals think the 400 UC can handle this? Thanks.

Glenn

I'd take two cameras one with highest ISO BW you can get and 800 unless there is a lot of light then work with the 400. Still it sounds like this airplane hanger will be kind of dark at the end furthest from the doors.

this could be tough.best to take a camera that will let you shoot for 1 - 4 seconds , a tripod and cable release.

 

[bmattock]

I do not shoot much color film so I really have no experience with it. I wanted to know if anyone had any thoughts on this film (Good/Bad). I plan on using it inside a airplane hanger. I found a spot here in Florida that is a personal collection of a wealthy businessman and I will be taking some shots of his collection this weekend. He has cars like Al Unser Jr's F-1 car from the 1989 Indy 500 (he came in 2nd that year), a corvette first year production, mustang GT 500, and several other man sized toys.

There are no windows in the hanger but the hanger door will be open. Do you guys and gals think the 400 UC can handle this? Thanks.

Glenn

Glenn,

Will you be using flash/strobe light? What kind of light in the hangar otherwise? Will it be dominant? If you're shooting cars, I'd have thought slide film, such as Velvia - for the saturated colors. The UC 400 is nice, in my experience, but not 'over the top' for saturation. Agfa Ultra 50 is cartoonish, I understand 100 was toned down a bit, but haven't used it. Personally, if I had to shoot C41 at cars indoors and mixed lighting, I'd tend to go with Fuji Superia XTRA 400.

Please bear in mind I have limited experience with shooting cars indoors. Others may have better advice.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[prosty]

If you're set on using C41, I think the UC will be ok. Superia 400 indeed is excellent in its class, and the 800 version is fine as well. But, I'd prefer a tripod and slower speed chrome -- Velvia maybe, but perhaps something less contrasty depending upon the lighting. I think chrome would really accentuate the precision and definition in the cars you're shooting better than C41, but that's just me. Sounds like a wonderful setting.

 

[egpj]

Jan, thanks. The tripod is a great idea that honestly I had not thought of. Will take my old Carl Zeiss tripod with me. It is nice and heavy!

Bill, I wanted to stay away from slide but will reconsider. In fact, I have two camera bodies so maybe I can load one with Sensia 400 as well. I hope that I can use the 28 Summicron for this but will take the 35 Summilux as well in case I need the extra f stop. What worries me though is the depth of field becoming non-existent. Jan's suggestion of carrying the tripod will come in very handy.

 

[dkapp]

100UC samples

100UC samples

If your looking for great saturation, the Kodak UC line is the best in C41 films. I've never shot the ISO 400 flavor, but I do shoot the 100UC when I get the chance.

Here is a link w/ some samples.
http://www.lifekapptured.com/analog/index.php?x=browse&category=31

I scanned and edited to match the prints, so this is a really good example of what you can expect from the 100UC. I don't think the 400 would be much different from what I've seen online. Like I said, it has great color saturation. I consider it a great alternative to slides.

You can also use the drop down box in on that page to check out other films. I'm trying to put together a big database of films and examples. No fancy PS work here, just scan and edit to match prints.

Dave

 

[reagan]

I've been shooting a few rolls 400UC of late and am pretty satisfied. One thing I've noticed from time to time though is something that could come into play in the hanger senario.

This pic (attached) was shot with an Orion 15, probably wide open or close. Obviously inside in limited light, with flourescent lights present. There's a little too much yellow for me. Granted the walls weren't exactly WHITE paint - some aged yellowish. But I've seen this is certainly not uncommon in other films too, so it's not a deterent from the Kodak for me. But might be considered in your situation. Stop down on a tripod sounds like good advice.

Recent [outside] photos on my blog taken with Zorki 1 w/Orion 15 were also 400UC. Looking forward to seeing the shots you get ~ Good luck!

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

400uc gives nice results in daylight. I enjoy it a lot.

I have been very frugal with my stash of this film after buying a huge batch on sale at Target last spring.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I bought some short-dated 120 film, and shot it with my Hassie almost a month ago. Not bad at all. The Velvia of C-41, for lack of a better description, if you grey balance it correctly.

 

[jano]

400UC is a great film, just be careful with reds and yellows, they tend to be too much if solid and close to primary value.

 

[richard_l]

It's nice to hear about 400UC. Fall colors are peaking in my part of the world, and I'm trying out this film as an alternative to Superia Xtra 400. My favorite color film used to be Royal Gold 400.

 

[Doug]

Glenn, 400UC is said to be possibly the best color neg film on the market. I'd sure echo the tripod suggestion, since your subjects are stationary (for the time being!). Might be some possibilities in including some motion-blurred people, though...

Here's a variety of 400UC samples
First what smoking might do to your house, Pentax 6x7, 75mm.
Second, the elder rancher, mixed light in market lobby, Contax G2, 28mm
Third, the reflecting garden, Minolta CLE, 43mm Pentax-L
Fourth, the store mannikin, again mixed light, Contax G2, 35mm

 

[Doug]

Ah, Richard mentioned Fall color... More 400UC below...

 

[richard_l]

Ah, Richard mentioned Fall color... More 400UC below...

Beautiful shot, Doug. Thanks!

 

[nomade]

The best color photos i've ever had...

 

[RayPA]

I agree with Doug and dkapp, UC 400 is great! My favourite color negative film. I just bought a 4-pack today, in fact. BTW, I occassionially have found it at Walgreens, and Longs Drugs stores deeply discounted, and everytime I go into to one of these places I always check.

I just shot some Superia 400 and I like it too.

 

[Alec]

I agree with everyone that 400UC is superb.

But if I were you I'd hedge my bets and take some Fuji Superia 800 as well. Astonishing film, no visible grain up to 20x30cm if correctly exposed.

Enjoy your toy show 😉

 

[Alec]

And try Provia 400F instead of Sensia 400. It may even get you back into reversal (film, not gear)!

 

[bmattock]

Good Lord, I almost forgot. Polarizing filter! Increases saturation and gets rid of glare on automotive window glass. Duh. Sorry I took so long to think of it.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Byuphoto]

I have not shot any of the 400 UC but here is some with 400 Superia, Bessa R and Leitz 90 Elmar