Fuji Color Neg Film

[crotograph]

OK, first of all, don't sigh. This is another question about film. However, I am coming at this slightly differently as I have a pretty good idea of what I want to know and how to ask.

Since 1971 I have used Agfachrome or Agfa Optima (II Prestige). I always loved Agfas true rendition of colors and limited saturation tending towards blue. (Rather than Kodaks consumer films renditions tending towards pleasant Suburban Reds and yellow) In the last year or two, maybe longer, Agfa has come across hard times and I am thinking I need to get accustomed to a different brand. I have been looking at a great many manufacturers and feel that, for landscape and portraits, Fuji has some of the more consistent colors, saturation, latitude and fine grain. That said, I also see that some of the old standby Fuji brands nomenclature are being changed on some and the emulsions are being changed on others.

Still with me? Question is: Given the terms I have mentioned above, does anyone have experience with the "newer" Fuji products, or, suggestions as to another film, with examples, perhaps, unretouched if possible, that I can see and thereby make a decision on what I want to use. I find that my use for so many years of Agfa has left me limited of knowledge about other brands. As far as processing I would prefer, but am not limited to C41. (I will try E6 if recommended) Fuji is my starting point as I have studied for some time its results on the web. But, so many photos, so little time! I am open to trying a few rolls of any recommended film. As always, thanks in advance.

[Charles Hess]

I've been a Fuji user for about 12 years now, and although they've changed the names on some of their pro films, the emulsions still appear the same to me. For skin tones and less saturated colors, Fuji's NPS(160) and NPH(400) are excellent...they have new names, Pro 160 and Pro 400, I think. I like Reala, a 100-speed film that scans really well. NPC(160) has a bit more punch than NPS. E-6, I think Provia 100F is the best of the best, period. Astia gives accurate colors and good skin tones, and everyone knows about Velvia, which is also now available in ISO 100. I list the films used on most of my images posted on www.pbase.com/charles_hess, many having little or no post-processing. Good luck with your choices.

[crotograph]

Thanks for the answer Charles. As far as NPS 160 I was impressed by the purplish hue of your photo of the rail with the city behind in , "from camden". (only as representative of all your work, not "just..") Also, I am interested in the filter? or processing of Neopan in the two photos; "Melinda 3" and "Emily". Wherein, "Emily" is Gray tones at face level and tending towards sepia down the trunk of her body. While "Melinda 3" is more or less running towards sepia throughout.

You have done me a service here. A picture is worth a thousand words.
(my wife happened to be looking over my shoulder as I was going over your photos and now is pushing me toward getting back to doing street life again. I really have done little since the early '70's. Most of those are agfachrome and are not catalogued. If I can find a way to reproduce them I will start posting some. (somewhat limited in equip. for reprod'ing slides) When time permits....

Addendum: Was the NPH film you used for "April Dawn...@ 19" 400 ISO? faster or slower? If you recall.

[Charles Hess]

Hi again. I'll have to go back to my site to answer some of your questions, but I can answer a few. I don't use filters, rather I may 'touch up' the contrast or color balance in photoshop. The railing actually does have a purplish hue. The other..."April Dawn" and NPH, I always used it at 400. I'll get back to you soon with the other info, thanks for taking the time to check out my work.

[crotograph]

Thank you Charles. Your work is wonderful. Any 3 master in the fog, so well exposed, makes my day. I'm an old Navy guy. Love anything to do with the sea and its tradition of sailing.

[Franglais]

I've been a Fuji user for about 12 years now, and although they've changed the names on some of their pro films, the emulsions still appear the same to me. For skin tones and less saturated colors, Fuji's NPS(160) and NPH(400) are excellent...they have new names, Pro 160 and Pro 400, I think. I like Reala, a 100-speed film that scans really well. NPC(160) has a bit more punch than NPS. E-6, I think Provia 100F is the best of the best, period. Astia gives accurate colors and good skin tones, and everyone knows about Velvia, which is also now available in ISO 100. I list the films used on most of my images posted on www.pbase.com/charles_hess, many having little or no post-processing. Good luck with your choices.

Pro 400 is the same as NPH but both the 160 speed films have changed. The Pro film lineup now all have the same 4-layer architecture as the Superia line (NPS was 4-layer but one of the layers has moved from the front to the back of the film). These films are low saturation, optimised for pictures of people.

Fuji's other line of negative film (Superia) has higher saturation and more punch. It's suited for general picture-taking (landscapes on the Pro line can come out rather wan). The Fuji Press range is just a repackaging of Superia.

I must say though that my D70 has replaced all my colour negative usage. The only films I now shoot are slides and black & white.

Charles (the other one)

[payn817]

I use the superia line about half the time, coupled with Kodak pro 400UC. The superia line has good color, and is sharp, with fine grain below iso 800, and it converts to b&w very nicely.

Here are a few examples (just some basic snapshooting stuff, no filters, no processing). Hope that helps, good luck ;)