• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Traditional Film Photography

Photography Question 

BetterPhoto Member 		 

Trouble with processing Fuji NPS 160


 
 
I have been using Fuji NPS 160 for weddings and I am having trouble with the color. My wife shoots consumer Fuji and the colors are fine. When they process the NPS, the colors are terrible. Red comes out as more magenta, the skin tones are washed out looking; I don't understand. Does anyone else have any trouble with getting their NPS processed? It's not a "pro" lab, could that have anything to do with it? Thanks for any help you may give. Lou


To love this question, log in above
July 22, 2006

 

Jason A. Woodcock 		  the lab might not have a proper color chanel set up for this film and there just using the closest thing they have. I would say try a pro lab where they might know what there doing. also when I use to shot film I used kodak portra 160vc and use to get great color from this film. just my opinon though.
JAW


To love this comment, log in above
July 24, 2006

 

Alan N. Marcus 		  Take it from one who knows:

When it comes to printing any film, the first-class lab performs a laborious set-up procedure to establish what is called a print channel for each specific film type. Labs must either:
1. Prints lots and lots of a specific film type and adjust output by trail and error.
2. Purchase test material for each major film type consisting of images made under controlled conditions. These materials are shots of subjects containing “memory colors”. Set consist of over – normal – and under exposed samples. Adjustment is made to the printer by both by eye and by instrument. Lab must daily maintain this data for each film type and each magnification and each paper brand.
3. Lab also must routinely (minimum each day) processes frozen pre-exposed samples of paper and electronically measure processed sample against known standard. Data is used to make routine adjustment that compensate for changes due to time – temperature – chemical strength – etc.

Only a lab that routinely prints the material you bring can consistently achieve superior results. Most one-hour labs maintain good set-up data for amateur type films. Choose labs that cater to advanced amateur and/or the professional as only they routinely print professional films. Color papers are sold in two product lines. Paper products are available as emulsions tailored for professional films others are tailored for amateur film. Most one-hour labs run only paper products well-matched for amateur type films. Professional papers are generally less constrasty and less saturated. Cross printing yields a mismatch what almost always results in inferior results.

Ask lots of questions. This part of the business is a science well established.

Alan Marcus
ammarcus@earthlink.net


To love this comment, log in above
July 25, 2006

 
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here

Report this Thread