Best Color Negative Film

[Howard Slavitt]

I shoot 120 roll film in a view camera and scan it on an Imacon for print out la ter to a Lightjet for large fine art prints. I've recently begun experimenting with negative films to retain more highlight and shadow detail. Any advice on t he best color negative film for the following order of priorities: 1) wide expos ure latitude (i.e. relatively low contrast, holds a lot of detail in highlights and shadows), 2) smallest, least obtrusive grain size when scanned, and 3) good color saturation, although Velvia like colors are not necessary? I've tried Por tra 160 ("NC") and like it; and Reala 100 and like it too. Haven't shot enough of either yet to know which is better for my purposes. Any other recommendation s?

[Chad Jarvis]

If you've liked Portra NC, try Portra VC for better color saturation.

[David E. Rose]

Fuji NPS/NPL

[Wayne Crider]

Generally the best one is the one that just got pulled from the market. I like NC for portraits but usually shoot chromes for landscapes. I didn't care for VC. Agfa is gone now, so what does it leave us besides the two brands mentioned. I'm taking to rollfilm backs just to shoot Reala, and maybe NPH for neg film, if I can find a decent lab. Everything that comes back looks pink compared to NC. Once digital backs are plentiful and cheap for 4x5, I'll be dead and in the ground. (Or I could rip out a chip from a digital camera and stuff it in my 4x5) Film will be around till after I'm gone, but I'm wondering what will be left? Maybe Tungsten? Probably B&W. May as well learn coloring. Who knows how long Kodak or Fuji for that matter will continue to produce color neg film in 4x5. I'd love to know their sales figures. From what I'm seeing the tools of the trade nowadays are spelled d-i-g-i-t-a-l. Deadlines as usual seem the biggest reason for the changes. Sorry for the surplus bs.

[Ken Woodard]

I agree with Wayne. If you want the oversaturated look you can do that digitaly, easier than removing the psycho-delic haze. We all can do with a reality check!

[Richard Stum / Kinesis]

As far as fine grain goes I would try Konica Impresa-50 120 Professional Color P rint Film (ISO-50). I have heard that it has more shadow detail and is less contrasty than the Agfa "low ISO" counterpart film. I haven't tried this film, b ut plan to soon.

[Scott Walton]

If you can find the Konica SRG 160... it is a great low contrast film with excellent gradation and somewhat muted colors because of the lower contrast.

[Paul van der Hoof]

Not an answer, but a question: where can the Konica 120/220 be bought in the US? I live in Los Angeles and know one here that sells it.

TIA.

Paul

[Erik The Viking]

Konica Japan's website lists the Impresa 50 as being available in the 4"X5" size. Perhaps Jeff of Badger Graphics may be keen on scarfing up a few boxes from Japan and selling them.

I am keen to hear your latest experience with Impresa 50 at any size. I cannot get hold of any and would have to resort to mail order.

In particular, I am keen to hear from those who have developed and printed their own Impresa 50 negs.