Portra 160 or 400 for outdoor shoot?

[mjs1973]

I have decided to take some Portra film as a backup for my DRebel next week for a senior portrait shoot. Also, the mother and aunt of the girls I will be shooting takes a lot of photos too, so I told her I would get her a pro quality film, and she should bring her camera too. The shoot will be all outside, mid afternoon, to evening. What do you suggest, 160 or 400 speed film?

[Liz]

If it is daylight the whole time - you mentioned "to evening" - the 160 would be fine. If you're getting into dusk, you might want to bring a few rolls of 400. Wonderful film btw. ;)

Liz

I have decided to take some Portra film as a backup for my DRebel next week for a senior portrait shoot. Also, the mother and aunt of the girls I will be shooting takes a lot of photos too, so I told her I would get her a pro quality film, and she should bring her camera too. The shoot will be all outside, mid afternoon, to evening. What do you suggest, 160 or 400 speed film?

[mjs1973]

Thanks Liz, that's kinda what I was thinking, but a 2nd opinion is always nice!!! Thanks again.

[another view]

400NC is fine in daylight - but it likes to be overexposed a bit. I usually set it at ISO250, then just meter normally (that gives you +2/3 stop) and have them process at 400. I might go a little higher if I was inside a dark building, too. Color neg is a different world than slide - and especially digital.

You should be OK with 160 too, but I haven't used it personally. I used only 400 at weddings just to keep life easy.

[mjs1973]

One more question.

What's the dif. between 160VC, and 160NC?

[mjs1973]

Ok, I think I just found the answer myself. Looks like NC stands for Natural Color, and VC stands for Vivid Color. That's my very simplifed definition. Anyone have anything more specific to add?

[another view]

You're right about the differences. Supposedly, all of the Portra films will give you excellent skin tones, but vary the amount of color saturation. I really only have experience with NC, and I understand it's kind of the "gold standard" for skin tones with color neg.

I guess I'd use VC if it was maybe more of a fashion type shoot, or brightly colored costumes (festivals, etc) - or maybe environmental portraits depending on what you had in mind. Then there's UC (ultra color) which is a step (or three) beyond that.

The thing is, it's probably best to go to a place that's familiar with these films. Any pro lab (especially one that specializes in portraits/weddings) should be a good choice. You won't get the full benefit of these films at one-hour type places.