Film choice for scanning colour negative

[wda]

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I have scanned a lot of colour reversal film stock, usually with good results. However, my slides are saturated and sometimes it is difficult to accommodate the full tone range on a Nikon SuperCoolscan 5000D. I remember being impressed with the quality of scans Allan Brewer achieved using, I believe, Kodak Portra film. (I have searched in vain for his old postings and when I found one he had withdrawn the image).

 

I am attracted to the NC specification of low contrast, but the VC has more saturated colours. A dilemma!

 

So, has any Leica user recent experience of scanning Kodak Portra NC or VC films with a film scanner who would be willing to share experiences? (Or other colour negative stock?)

 

Thanks in advance,

David

[andybarton]

I have my first ever roll of 160 NC in my new M7 so will be able to report at the weekend.

 

I have had very mixed results scanning negative film - I much prefer Astia.

 

Allan used to have his shots scanned by his processing place.

[wda]

Thank you Andy. I presume you find Astia an inherently low-contrast film which eases scanning?

 

Allan B's forum prints were of stunning quality. I wonder what type of scanners his processing house used. I can't believe they were drum types at the relatively low prices they charge in the UK.

 

Like your Venice pix. The boatyard looks like it is almost under water, certainly higher than when I visited in Spring 2006.

 

David

[andybarton]

Thank you Andy. I presume you find Astia an inherently low-contrast film which eases scanning?

 

Allan B's forum prints were of stunning quality. I wonder what type of scanners his processing house used. I can't believe they were drum types at the relatively low prices they charge in the UK.

 

Like your Venice pix. The boatyard looks like it is almost under water, certainly higher than when I visited in Spring 2006.

 

David

 

Yes, Astia is very natural in colour, which I like. I'm not a great one for the really punchy stuff that Allan likes (he uses Kodak Negatives IIRC)

 

Allan is in the US, and I think his processing place uses an Agfa machine. They were/are just the normal jpgs off the machine, I believe.

[ron110n]

Our colleague William Lamb once said that it takes the right lens combo to scan Kodak VC. I must agree since I am not very pleased with the scanned result of a VC as captured with my Summilux 35 and 50. Too contrasty to my taste. Never tried it on my Summicron 35 & 75 since I mostly shoot B&W film over all. As for colored I only shoot transparencies, but otherwise the rest of the colored shots goes to my L1, LX1(for work related shots), and G9.

 

-Ron

[PATB]

I like Kodak 400UC for scanning color negatives, especially with a Noritsu. If I am not mistaken, I got this concoction from Mr. Brewer.

 

Here's an example Kodak 400UC scan with a Noritsu (from Costco)

 

I tried the new Kodak Portra 400VC also scanned with a Noritsu. The Kodak 400UC is warmer, which I like better.

 

Here's an example Kodak Portra 400VC scanned with a Noritsu ("pro shop").

 

For color, I much prefer Fuji Provia 400x, scanned with Nikon Coolscan/Vuescan calibrated with a Provia 400x IT8 target from Wolf Faust. Extremely easy to scan -- almost like point and shoot. No adjustments needed in photoshop. Main problem is that the Provia 400X is very expensive (about $13 a roll), but I am already using a Leica so it is too late to complain about film cost at this point! I do not have an example Fuji Provia 400x example that I can post at this time.

 

EDIT: First picture is with Leica MP, 50 Cron. Second picture is with Leica MP, 50 Lux ASPH.

[jackal]

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portra nc scanned with an 8000:

 

 

[peterv]

From the iTunes store, type "Kodak - Professinal Imaging" in the search field, there's an interesting podcast called Portra Films. It also deals with scanning these films.