Films and Labs

Re: Fuji Pro 160S and 160C

"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.

 

Article References :

Re: Fuji Pro 160S and 160C
Re: Fuji Pro 160S and 160C
Fuji Pro 160S and 160C
 

See Also : Re: How ro create dark, rich, saturated colors with good contrast

LawrenceT wrote:

> Folks,
> There's a ton of color photography these days where the overall look is dark
> and rich, yet with saturated colors and good contrast. A good example is
> the work Annie Leibovitz does especially the Feb cover of Vanity Fair
> magazine. Can anyone explain what the effect is and how to create it ?
>
> Thanks as always for your generous assistance !

While I am not a fan of Ms. Leibovitz, and I think Vanity Fair could use
someone else to gain more appeal, the style of her photography is fairly
consistent in recent times. Most of her cover work is done using the Mamiya
RZ67, meaning a large 6x7 piece of film as a starter. On several occasions, she
has used several shots to combine into one final image. The film is drum
scanned, and then composited as needed.

I suspect there is not much done to alter the original transparency film, to
get to the cover. Offset printing used inks and techniques that are tough to
achieve in one off prints, especially chemical prints. While the exact print
might be a challenge, the look should not be tough to copy. If you want more on
Vanity Fair printing specs, contact them for a media kit, which will include
the printing specifications.

The somewhat dark and rich look can be achieved with a variety of newer films
now on the market, without worry of unnatural skin tones. Ms. Leibovitz also
uses a truck load of carefully placed and adjusted lights. The usually dark
backgrounds, some black bounces, or just dark interiors around the subjects
contributes to the rich look. The saturation and contrast are mostly a property
of the film, with many transparency films offering this high contrast and
saturation.

Getting the look onto one chemical photo print can be done using a LightJet,
Chromira or similar printing system. If you want more information about high
quality printing of transparencies, and a good place that many professionals
use for printing, check out .

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio