Opinions on film-Kodak Portra 800, Max 800 or Fuji Superia 800?

[xxloverxx]

I'm thinking I should get back to shooting film occasionally, so I've decided on either 1 of these 3 films.

I do like the look of Portra, but it's more expensive and isn't that convenient to buy (we only have a few stores that might stock Portra). I've heard mixed reviews about the Max and Superia, what are your opinions (based on experience)?

[jellybean]

I like Fujicolor Pro 800Z. It seems to handle mixed lighting well and renders good skin tones; grain's not bad either.

[xxloverxx]

Glad to see a reply (finally!)
I just need opinions on the final image with the different films and that kinda thing.

[Kiron Kid]

Originally Posted by xxloverxx

I'm thinking I should get back to shooting film occasionally, so I've decided on either 1 of these 3 films.

I do like the look of Portra, but it's more expensive and isn't that convenient to buy (we only have a few stores that might stock Portra). I've heard mixed reviews about the Max and Superia, what are your opinions (based on experience)?

Kodak Max 800 is hideous, crap. Their Portra 800 is very good. Fuji Superia-Press 800 isn't bad. And Fuji Pro-Z is pretty good. I used to use the Fuji 800 films until the advent of the new Portra 800 film. I burn it at 640 (1/3 stop overexposure) and get very good and consistent results. Fine grain and color. Large prints even look good. here are a few Portra 800 snaps.

Kodak Portra 800 (I burn it @ 640) - a set on Flickr



Kiron Kid

[cyclohexane]

Kodak Portra 800 is probably the best 800 color negative film available. The grain is nice and tight, and it holds color well. Portra 800 can be pushed a stop to 1600 and still looks good.

Fuji Pro 800Z doesn't hold color as well, has more grain, and doesn't respond anywhere near as well to being pushed to 1600.

I wouldn't bother with Max 800 or Superia 800.

[xxloverxx]

Sigh. The only 800 film my lab carries is Superia. They have 400H (Fuji), but no Portra films (appalling). I don't really bother using Superia anymore - I find it too grainy, even well exposed.

I could shoot Natura 1600 but in daylight, when I want shallow DOF…with an FM that only goes to 1/1000th, that's not really…great. Natura is a very nice film for its speed though (shot a roll of it, was fearless of the dark for those 3 weeks )

I've started shooting 400 more than 800 now (this post was made a while before I started really getting into film), although 800 would be more convenient for my kind of shooting.

There's a lab down the street from my lab (2 mins walk at most) that carries Velvia 50, so I'm hoping they also carry the faster pro films. It's not that I'm a pro, I just don't like Superia…and I've heard Max looks muddy…400H is pretty clean but, again, 400 is my minimum speed for normal shooting.

May take a while for me to use Portra/800Z, as I just bought 4 rolls of 400H and 1 of 400TX (only opening it when I get a rangefinder, in true street style :P) - if I buy 5 rolls, my lab gives a discount…so I figured…why not.

[Kiron Kid]

I found the Superia-Press (same emulsion) to be pretty decent for an 800 speed film. I rate it @ 640, which minizes the grain, nicer colors,etc. It's not nearly as nice as Portra 800, but is my second choice. The Natura 1600 was also much nicer than the Superia 1600, and it's muted colors can be replaced, enhanced with a small amount of post-processing. In these attached snaps, the top one is on Superia 800, and the second one was made on Natura 1600



Superia 800, burned @ 640


Fuji Natura 1600, burned @ 1250


Portra 800, burned @ 640


Portra 800, burned @ 640

Kiron Kid

[xxloverxx]

Kiron - your Superia composition is so good I don't notice the grain, especially as it's such a small size.
Love the colours of your Portra shots though, and the Natura really does look "natural"!