Fuji Pro 160C, 120 film

[rongarrett]

Anyone tried the new Fuji Pro 160C color negative film in 120? It is susposed to be optomized for scanning? I'm looking for a kinda all around film so I can learn exactly what the camera can do?

[Xia_Ke]

Hi Ron, I chatted with a few people who shoot 160c and 160s. They've all been very happy with it. Most seem to like the 160s color reproduction a bit more, saving the 160c for certain lighting conditions. None could really say they noticed any marked improvement in scanability but, they are just using home scanners. I doubt you would notice much if any difference unless you were having high end scans done, just my speculation though.

[drg]

Scanning optimized means the film is 'tougher' and Fuji does something to keep the 'emulsion' on the film better. Some of their film in the past has been prone to 'flaking'. I thought it was a processing induced problem for a long time. Don't know that for sure but the newer films seem better.

There's also reference strips available to calibrate your scanner to get the best results to aid the optimization as well as a better construction of the film base to avoid internal reflection problems, i.e. the film is supposed to be less shiny.

I feel 160 is a bit specialized, really set up for a specific type of portraiture for which it is great, so not a great all around film.

If you want a good all around professional grade neutral chromogenic(C-41) film, try a 400 speed such as Fujifilm 400Pro. Use to be called NPH and it can be used for almost anything.

[rongarrett]

Thanks Aaron, I may just have to get a "home" scanner and learn to do my own scanning. I have been looking at the Nikon coolscan 8000 and 9000. Seems to be what is needed for 120 film? My computer has an awsome fast DVD writer so i will be all right on that issue I think.

DRG, it just so happens I just finished a roll of Fuji 400 pro. I'm getting anxious to see what the images look like. I want to use one film and learn it before moving on to another.I tend toward a little more saturation than some folks except for portraiture, which I do with a dedicated digital studio camera.

Boy, I'll tell ya one thing for sure. When using the medium format camera and a tripod, I don't take but about four or five images an hour. Makes me pay a lot more attention to composition and lighting now. Prolly will do me good.

[brmill26]

Boy, I'll tell ya one thing for sure. When using the medium format camera and a tripod, I don't take but about four or five images an hour. Makes me pay a lot more attention to composition and lighting now. Prolly will do me good.

Very much the same for me as well. That's what I love about shooting MF - you really slow down your work process and, I find, shoot better pictures. Plus I think it's just a lot of fun to use.

[rongarrett]

Thanks Aaron, I may just have to get a "home" scanner and learn to do my own scanning. I have been looking at the Nikon coolscan 8000 and 9000. Seems to be what is needed for 120 film? My computer has an awsome fast DVD writer so i will be all right on that issue I think.

DRG, it just so happens I just finished a roll of Fuji 400 pro. I'm getting anxious to see what the images look like. I want to use one film and learn it before moving on to another.I tend toward a little more saturation than some folks except for portraiture, which I do with a dedicated digital studio camera.

Boy, I'll tell ya one thing for sure. When using the medium format camera and a tripod, I don't take but about four or five images an hour. Makes me pay a lot more attention to composition and lighting now. Prolly will do me good.

On the advice of the store where I do most of my business with, and the guy who seems to be one of the best informed there, I am going to try Fuji Pro 400H as my first "learning" film. Picked up a box of five rolls yestiddy. He also recommended the Epson V700 scanner, so looks like that will be the path I will take.