Searching for a new 400 speed color film

[Avotius]

Lately I find myself working more and more with color film especially with my Zeiss lenses and since we got crappy light in this city on the best of days I need to use a 400 speed film early morning and in the afternoons. Sometimes 200 cuts it but these days not so much.

So I have been using Superia 200 and 400 for the most part but the high contrast of these films coupled with the already high contrast of Zeiss lenses can be a bit of a pain in the neck. The obvious choice I guess should be Fuji Pro 400H because I hear it has a better grain structure and lower contrast and calmer saturation. Naturally you can imagine my surprise when I found that none of the shops local or online carry it! Another one is Provia 400 but I am not really keen on using slide film but maybe if it works well and at about 9 dollars a pop it is pretty expensive though.

So give me some options, tell me what works for you and why.

 

[Bruin]

Try to find Portra 400NC, it's the Kodak equivalent of Fuji Pro 400H. Pro 400H is my favorite ISO 400 color neg film, though 400UC is what I'm shooting right now because I scored a deal on a good amount of it.

The reduced contrast of 400H and 400NC makes them easier to scan, too.

 

[hans voralberg]

I think that's about all the choice you get, Portra or 400H, Provia 400 is quite high contrast as well.

 

[payasam]

Another vote for Pro 400H. In India, effectively the only option is Kodacolor Gold 400.

 

[Florian1234]

What about Ferrania Solaris, available in 100, 200 and 400 speed. I used the 400 so far and find it very nice.

 

[bmattock]

What about Ferrania Solaris, available in 100, 200 and 400 speed. I used the 400 so far and find it very nice.

Wow, that's like the nastiest film in the world. Seriously.

 

[vincentbenoit]

Portra 400NC or Fuji Pro 400H.

Vincent

 

[Honus]

Another vote for Porta 400NC

 

[Florian1234]

Wow, that's like the nastiest film in the world. Seriously.

Is it? I thought it would give quite good value for the money. But on the other hand I did not try Portra or so... 🙄

 

[Avotius]

I have never been much of a fan of kodak color film but I can see that my choices are rather limited here so maybe I will search around and see what I can find. 400 speed color film of any type is hard to find here anymore.

 

[35mmdelux]

Is it? I thought it would give quite good value for the money. But on the other hand I did not try Portra or so... 🙄

The Russian Yugo is quite a good value for the Rubble too. Drive it cross country you'd be pushing it most of the way.

Portra 160NC/400NC or its cheaper Fuji equivalent rocks.

 

[hans voralberg]

I have never been much of a fan of kodak color film but I can see that my choices are rather limited here so maybe I will search around and see what I can find. 400 speed color film of any type is hard to find here anymore.

Surprising given that you are in China, why not have a look on Taobao, or order from HK? Plenty of choice there, one more suggestion is Fuji Venus 400, it's Superia 400 in a different name.

 

[amateriat]

I'm quite bullish on Portra NC myself. The current version of 400NC is quite good.


- Barrett

 

[Avotius]

Surprising given that you are in China, why not have a look on Taobao, or order from HK? Plenty of choice there, one more suggestion is Fuji Venus 400, it's Superia 400 in a different name.

I have been scouring taobao and to my surprise I did not find any fuji pro 400h on there except a vague ad for it in 120 size. Ordering from HK is also a idea but the last time I did that my film arrived with a lot of x-ray damage.

 

[fixbones]

I tried Kodak 400UC recently and love the colour saturation of the end product although i thought it was a tab bit grainy but hey....i like grain.

Unfortunately...it s discontinued...not sure how kodak 400VC measures up...

 

[hans voralberg]

Well make sure they marked it as film, I suggest asking for help from HK members, I did not know they scan stuff from HK to mainland, that's new.

I bought from this place once, they do sale to individuals, just drop them an email saying what you need. Link.

 

[re_visible]

Hey, off topic but still, YUGO is a Serbian (or former YUGOslavian) car, not Russian.
Lada Niva is a Russian car, and a decent one too!
Like the Ferrania film.


I guess Portra 400NC the best Price/Quality you get these days...

 

[Roger Vadim]

I just had a roll of the 400NC back from development and I am really pleased with the grain and the tonality (although I prefer the 160NC, smoothness-wise)
Never liked the greenish cast of the Fuji films, much prefer Kodak.

With modern lenses the NC films really has got a special look.

 

[Avotius]

Well make sure they marked it as film, I suggest asking for help from HK members, I did not know they scan stuff from HK to mainland, that's new.

I bought from this place once, they do sale to individuals, just drop them an email saying what you need. Link.

Without wanting to get into a political debate, my gf likes to buy HK style clothes and once she made a rather large order and it got stopped at customs for taxation. Things coming from HK to the mainland are checked the same as anything coming from overseas as far as I know.

 

[sevo]

Hey, off topic but still, YUGO is a Serbian (or former YUGOslavian) car, not Russian.
Lada Niva is a Russian car, and a decent one too!
Like the Ferrania film.

Ferrania is and always has been Italian, and have ceased making film.

Sevo