Re: [Leica] Re: Portra

["Simon Lamb" <simon@sclamb.com>]

I bow to one who knows from experience ;-)  I still like Portra though!

Simon

onetreehillclw wrote:

> 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.
> >
> >
>
>
>