Portra 160 or 400?

keytarjunkie

keytarjunkie

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I honestly can't make my mind up.

I typically shoot Fuji Pro 160s in 35mm and 220. My primary camera has been a Pentax 6x7, but I just got a Contax G2 and I think I'll be shooting them about equally, maybe even more with the G2. I'm planning on shooting Portra 160 on 220, where quality at 20x24 and occasionally 30x40 is my main concern, but what about 35mm? I'm never felt comfortable printing 35mm any larger than 11x14. I would like to be able to print either 11x14 or 16x20, but I'm afraid that portra 400 won't have the quality I want. However, I've heard it's very flexible which is good for a smaller format for me. Has anyone tried printing either of the new portras (preferably c-prints, but digital as well)? I plan on getting Portra 160 for medium format but I can't decide on 400 or 160 for 35mm. I'm not getting back to my developing equipment until september and I'd like to shoot 30-40 rolls before then (don't worry, not all color) otherwise I would just decide for myself. I keep going back and forth, someone just give me feedback! Thanks a bunch!
 
What's to stop you from buying a few rolls of each & experimenting? Can't be that expensive or difficult to have C41 developed.

Otherwise, if you're used to shooting ISO 160, then just stick to the Portra 160.

keytarjunkie said:
I honestly can't make my mind up.

I typically shoot Fuji Pro 160s in 35mm and 220. My primary camera has been a Pentax 6x7, but I just got a Contax G2 and I think I'll be shooting them about equally, maybe even more with the G2. I'm planning on shooting Portra 160 on 220, where quality at 20x24 and occasionally 30x40 is my main concern, but what about 35mm? I'm never felt comfortable printing 35mm any larger than 11x14. I would like to be able to print either 11x14 or 16x20, but I'm afraid that portra 400 won't have the quality I want. However, I've heard it's very flexible which is good for a smaller format for me. Has anyone tried printing either of the new portras (preferably c-prints, but digital as well)? I plan on getting Portra 160 for medium format but I can't decide on 400 or 160 for 35mm. I'm not getting back to my developing equipment until september and I'd like to shoot 30-40 rolls before then (don't worry, not all color) otherwise I would just decide for myself. I keep going back and forth, someone just give me feedback! Thanks a bunch!
Click to expand...
 
furcafe said:
What's to stop you from buying a few rolls of each & experimenting? Can't be that expensive or difficult to have C41 developed.

Otherwise, if you're used to shooting ISO 160, then just stick to the Portra 160.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm probably going to just stick to 160.

I refuse to have anyone else develop my film. Especially because it will print differently than when I develop it, and my giant color darkroom printer is also at school. And also because I am so used to not spending money on it...I just got one roll of film developed from the Contax just to make sure it works, it was my first time letting someone else do it in about two years and it reminded me why I didn't miss it!
 
I have not tried the new Portra 160 yet, but one of the things I love about the new Portra 400 iso is how fine grain it is compared to any other 400 iso film I have used. Using it in 120 at least, I don't think you would be bothered. I have just begun scanning my first 35mm rolls of 400 Portra, and they look good on the computer, but I camnot say for sure yet.

I also note that the new Portra is the best colour negative film have used for scanning.

I shall be buying more Porta 400 and try some 160. Apart from my stock of old film, I expect I sahll not be using any other colour negative film from now on.

I uploaded some of my 120 film Portra 400 shots on my blog, here:

http://rangefinderchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/06/hanoi-interlude.html

and here

http://rangefinderchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/06/saturday-19-march-2011.html

Nick
 
I've only ever printed as big as 10x8 on 35mm, although that was BW400CN and Velvia, not Portra 400 or 160. I'd hazard a guess, the grain of Portra 400 and 160 are both somewhere in between those two. I was very happy with the results at 10x8, so I think 14x11 would be OK, but 16x20 would really depend on your standards for graininess.
 
If it's any help I have 20x30 C-prints from 35mm Ektar and they are excellent. A variation on the same technology. The printer was amazed by the fine grain, his first experience with Ektar.
 
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