I was wondering what type of 4x5 C-41 (print) film is available for landscape photography? For Chrome-I use Velvia, but development cost are higher. I'd apprectiate any thoughts. Thanks again-Albert

-- Albert Martinez (martinez@unitekmiyachi.com), March 13, 2001

Answers

Fuji has introduced NPS in Quickload, Kodak is releasing Portra160VC in the new single sheet Readyload, and both films are available in standard sheet boxes.

-- Glenn Kroeger (gkroeger@trinity.edu), March 13, 2001.

If you mean Kodak's Vericolor Print Film 4111, it is still listed on their web site. This is the film that is used to make transparencies from negatives.

Ken

-- Ken Burns (kenburns@twave.net), March 13, 2001.

Not much to choose from. Agfa Optima was in my opinion the best, but it's off the market now, although Agfa promises a "new professional film" in the fall. Fuji NPS is too low contrast. Kodak's Portra 160 films are about it at the moment. For me their VC is too contrasty, but the NC isn't bad, at least in bright sunlight. Open shade it doesn't do too well. Really the only thing for you to do is to try them, and if you use Velvia, you might just like the Portra 160 VC.

-- Dick Deimel (Bbadger@aol.com), March 13, 2001.

Kodak certainly seem to be moving towards a 'one size fits all' policy WRT film choice.
They do have a selection of contrast and saturation options in their colour printing papers though (Portra III, SupraIII, and Ultra III). Open shade, or low subject-contrast shots, on 160NC may benefit from the higher saturation of UltraIII printing paper.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), March 14, 2001.

How about Agfa's Optima II. I use and like this film for landscapes. I was first drawn to it, when I heard that they're film is optimized for daylight, versus flash for portraits.

-- neil poulsen (neil.fg@att.net), March 15, 2001.

After a call to B&H, I was told they are no longer carrying 4X5 in ANY Readyloads, only Quckloads!!! Seems as if all the emails note that Kodak is on the verge of reoffering quite a few film versions, especially in Portra 160VC, my favorite. If there was another source as cheap as them, I would consider, but not sure who, and now, if anyone will be carrying the film I want. Almost sounds as if I should simply give up on Kodak. Any suggestions? *****

-- Gary Albertson (garyalb@outlawnet.com), April 19, 2001.