Re: [Leica] Re: Portra

["onetreehillclw" <onetreehillclw@compaq.net>]

I work at a photo lab and can tell you printing Portra films can be
a hassle sometimes. Even if the machine has channels set up for it.
The problem I think is the paper. I use new Kodak Royal VIII which
is horrible compared to the old Royal VII. Most color films print
great but when it comes to Portra, I have to make many adjustments.
Kodak should learn some things from Fuji and quit making their films
worse. To me Fuji 160, NPH 400, and NHG 800 are best for skin tones. My
opinion anyway.

Chris Williams
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Simon Lamb" <simon@sclamb.com>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2001 12:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: Portra


> I have not used NPS much.  I do recall speaking to a rep about Portra and
he
> said that a lab really needs to set up a dedicated channel for Portra
> processing to get the best out of it, and that many labs do not as there
is
> little comsumer demand.
>
> I use a pro lab in London and they manage to produce excellent prints and
> enlargements.  I guess ones view of the merits of a film are a matter of
> personal preference as much as the films technical merit, but at least we
> are both pleased with our results which is what really matters.
>
> Simon
>
> Douglas Cooper wrote:
> >
> > Funny, I just scanned one of the images, and did get better results than
> the
> > lab gave me -- it's on the Web at:
> >  http://www.dysmedia.com/Photography/edennomad.html
> >
> > Not great, but better than what the lab turned out.
> >
> > I'd love to hear your thoughts on this film compared to Fuji NPS 160,
> which
> > is my choice for skin tones.  For some situations -- overcast days, for
> > instance -- I prefer NPS to Reala.
> >
>
> > On 2/23/01 6:50 AM, Simon expressed the following:
> >
> > > That is an interesting view of the Portra 160.  Doing some portraiture
> last
> > > weekend I shot 15 rolls of 35mm 160NC (using M6 and 50mm/90mm Apo
Asph)
> and
> > > 10 rolls of 120 400NC (using Hassy 503CW and 180mm f/4) and the
results
> were
> > > stunning.  The flesh tones were exact in their colour and contrast and
> the
> > > glow of the Leica and Zeiss glass was definitely there.  Yes, I agree
> that
> > > the colour saturation is less (and I would use the VC Portra if colour
> > > saturation was an issue) but I believe that accurate rendition of skin
> tones
> > > is worth the sacrifice, especially when the commission is to produce
> > > portrait work.  The clarity and fineness of detail was (IMHO)
> exceptional.
>
>