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"Bill Tuthill" wrote in message news:432ada1b@news.meer.net...
> Alan Browne asked:
>>>
>>> Ctein just published a review of them in Photo Techniques magazine.
>>
>> And what did they say... ? (Respectable mag, that).
>
> Here is a summary:
>
> Both print on the same channel, unlike NPS and NPC, although 160C requires
> 20% more exposure and 7CC yellow. Compared to the old films, the new ones
> have similar speed and latitude. Resolution is not measurably higher,
> though edge sharpness is improved. Mainly the grain is finer, more than
> expected from RMS 4 to 3. "160S is definitely finer-grained than [160NC]
> but it's nearly a draw between 160C and [Kodak UC 100]."
>
> Contrast ranking, lowest to highest: Portra 160NC, NPS/160S tie, UC 100,
> 160C, NPC.
>
> Saturation ranking, highest to lowest: 160C, UC 100, NPC, 160S, NPS,
> Portra 160NC.
>
> Best rendition of primary colors: 160C, UC 100, 160S, NPC, NPS, (big gap)
> Portra 160NC.
>
> Neutrality of gray scale: 160S, 160C, NPC, Portra 160NC, UC 100, NPS.
>
> Overall flesh-gray balance: 160C, 160S/Portra 160NC tie.
> Best light skin tones: UC 100, 160S, 160C.
> Best dark skin tones: 160C, 160S, UC 100.
>
> Overall color rendition: 160S. Second place UC 100 is lower contrast with
> better pastels, but worse oranges and reds. Third place 160C with superb
> saturation and color rendition, but too much contrast for accurate
> pastels.
>
> Tested by controlled exposures (at box speed?) and printing on Supra E.
>
> There are four pictures with the article: contrasty apple blossoms taken
> with 160S, telephoto shot of ocean surf taken with 160C, a fine looking
> 160S Macbeth chart, and an amazing comparison of yellow and gray grain
> between 160C and NPC.
>
I'm surprised they didn't include Portra 160 VC into the test.
So if I understand correctly, 160C seems to win out on most tests, yet 160S
wins on the colour rendition test with 160C placing third. I checked out the
Fuji website
(http://www.fujifilm.com/JSP/fuji/epartners/PREventDetailPage.jsp?DBID=NEWS_825271&CAT_ID=-1007)
and 160C is called a "High Contrast, Vivid Colour" film, whereas 160S is a
"Smooth Tone, Natural Colour" film.
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