Your favorite CHEAP color print film?

[MPJMP]

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I usually spring the extra cash to get the "pro" grade color print films like Kodak Ektar, Fuji 160P, 800Z, etc. I've been doing this for so long I actually have no idea how good currently available "consumer" grade films like Kodak Gold and Fuji Superia are these days.

 

I see at B&H you can get films like Superia and Kodak Gold for about 1/2 what the equivalent pro films cost. For example, Fuji Press 800 costs a mere $2.99 per roll, compared to 800Z at $5.99. I'm tempted to try some of these out and see how they stack up against the good stuff I've been using.

 

Do any of you have a favorite inexpensive color print film that you like to use when funds are tight, or that you even prefer over the more expensive professional versions? Do you find a huge difference in quality between current pro and consumer films? Are any of these consumer films really the same thing as the pro versions, just without the special storage and refrigeration?

 

Thanks,

Mike

[rjans]

I always used Fuji Superia film (ISO 100, 200, 400 and 1600) and was happy with the results until I switched to Kodak Porta NC.

Still have some Fuji in the freezer in case of emergency.

I do not know the quality of the current Fuji Superia; they have changed the emulsion composition: the fourth color layer is gone.

 

Best

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[earleygallery]

Konica Minolta film, no longer available but I bought a load off an e bay seller which I have in the freezer. Worked out about 50p a roll and it has lovely colours, especially nice with skin tones (I don't know if it was made for them by another manufacturer, please if anyone knows tell me!).

 

I tried some Agfa recently but it was quite grainy in comparison. Previously I tended to stick to Kodak pro films so I'll probably revert back to those.

[el.nino]

Fuji (Superia) REALA 100.

It's a Pro-Film but pretty cheap and one of the sharpest.

It's got the best colors I've seen so far (especially the greens) and very fine grain.

 

The 35mm Version ist called Superia REALA, while the 120 Version is called only REALA.

 

you might want to check out this flickr-group:

Flickr: Fuji Reala

Edited October 29, 2009 by el.nino

[underground]

REALA is Fantastic color film.

[Neil Purling]

I was wondering if anyone has stuffed their Leica with the Chinese Lucky Super 200?

Didn't they have a link with Fuji at one time? I don't know if anything good came out of it.

I used to use their monochrome emulsions when they had no anti-halation coating. I didn't know they were doing colour print film.

[andybarton]

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Can I ask why someone would buy a Leica and then worry about saving a pound on a roll of film?

 

I see a reason to use some of the old formula films, now made in Czech Republic, for example, but to scrimp on colour print film, when it's available very cheaply on the Internet ( try 7dayshop ) sounds like a false economy to me. Obviously, people in restricted financial circumstances need to watch the pennies, but even pro film is cheap when bought from such places

 

we have a pro film supplier in Manchester and a visit to them can often yield short date, frozen film that is fine for years if kept similarly cold. It's worth asking.

Edited October 30, 2009 by andybarton

[Mike Rawcs]

Can I ask why someone would buy a Leica and then worry about saving a pound on a roll of film?

 

I see a reason to use some of the old formula films, now made in Czech Republic, for example, but to scrimp on colour print film, when it's available very cheaply on the Internet ( try 7dayshop ) sounds like a false economy to me. Obviously, people in restricted financial circumstances need to watch the pennies, but even pro film is cheap when bought from such places

 

we have a pro film supplier in Manchester and a visit to them can often yield short date, frozen film that is fine for years if kept similarly cold. It's worth asking.

 

Andy,

would that pro film supplier be Callumet?

[andybarton]

No, they are a bit further along the A6, in a shed in an industrial estate.

 

I will find their address

[andybarton]

Professional Film Direct

 

Map of Professional Film Direct Ltd

 

Don't buy it all

[biglouis]

Fuji Superia 200

[bill]

Fuji Superia 200

 

Seconded. Also, I am a firm believer in the old adage - buy cheap, buy twice. With film, you don't get a second chance.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

Edited October 30, 2009 by bill

[Doc Henry]

Fuji (Superia) REALA 100.

It's a Pro-Film but pretty cheap and one of the sharpest.

It's got the best colors I've seen so far (especially the greens) and very fine grain.

The 35mm Version ist called Superia REALA, while the 120 Version is called only REALA.

As El Nino and Underground Superia Reala the best according to me

and i agree with the remark of Andy :

why buy Leica cameras and Leica lens to use after cheap or inexpensive films ?

[Mike Rawcs]

Professional Film Direct

 

Map of Professional Film Direct Ltd

 

Don't buy it all

 

Thanks Andy (I promise I won't)!

 

Mike.

[earleygallery]

Can I ask why someone would buy a Leica and then worry about saving a pound on a roll of film?

 

No point in saving if the film's no good of couse. In the case of my Konica Minolta film I bought some from a Leica dealer (he said he used it although I was sceptical about it!). It was discontinued shortly after I started using it, with the demise of Minolta.

 

You can get some film bargains via e bay. Camera fairs are another good source of out of date stock.

 

The thing I love with film is the 'palette' we have to choose from.

[cheewai_m6]

fuji superia 100 or 200. i just got some prints back and i see no reason why you wouldn't use it.

 

in brisbane australia, film isn't cheap, $10/roll ($11.00USD or so) and it's $13/roll to develop and print (36 exp, single print in lustre 6x4). so it costs $26.00/roll. if i was to use professional negative film, say velvia 50. $14.00/roll, $26.00 develop and print in lustre, not mounted. it's so expensive. just cause i bought a leica, doesn't mean i'm made of money. i bought 2nd hand. most people can't afford to throw money away like that. so if you can save, you save.

 

the colours are so fantastic. the grain is fine you can't see it. for my purpose as an enthusiast, 6x4 is fine and great value.

[MPJMP]

REALA is Fantastic color film.

 

Yes it is! I wouldn't exactly classify it as inexpensive, though. It's a only about 25 cents less than 160C.

 

Can I ask why someone would buy a Leica and then worry about saving a pound on a roll of film?

 

Simple! Save money to buy more Leica gear!

 

Obviously, I will always use the best film I can get/afford. I probably wouldn't use a cheap film if it looked cheap. But, we might choose to use a film, at least from time to time, if it provided results close to the good stuff for 1/2 the cost. Or, as in the case of cheewai_M6, it provided a substantial savings and still gave excellent results. Plus it's always just fun to try new stuff.

 

Superia 200 seems to be a favorite of many. I'll give it try.

Edited October 30, 2009 by MPJMP

[jsrockit]

I would rather use a great lens with cheap film than expensive film with a cheap lens. Superia 400 for me.

[lewis44]

I just got done scanning some old neg's and some were Kodak Gold 200. They looked quite good. Color was nice and they were sharp.

I'm going to pick some up and give it another try

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[MPJMP]

I just got done scanning some old neg's and some were Kodak Gold 200. They looked quite good. Color was nice and they were sharp.

I'm going to pick some up and give it another try

 

About 10-15 years ago, Kodak Royal Gold was my film of choice. They don't make it anymore, but for all I know the current Gold could be the same formula?

Edited October 31, 2009 by MPJMP