[6BQ5]

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Many people claim that Agfa Vista Plus 200 is nothing more than rebranded Fujicolor 200. Some say that while Fuji makes the film for Agfa is responsible for its formulation. I decided to try this film for myself and I bought a 3-pack of it. Yesterday I got my first roll back from the lab and I camera scanned it today. I am very impressed with it! It feels like a punchy and contrasty version of Portra 160 with rougher grain. The film is very vibrant but without Ektar's saturation and cartoonish color scheme. Shadows and highlights are captured very well. This film feels like a high cut above regular old Fujicolor 200. If it weren't for the rougher grain I then would make this my favorite modern films. Disclaimer: I have plenty more to try so my opinion may change.

I would like to share some samples. All images were created from camera scans done with my K-30 and D FA 50mm f/2.8 macro at f/5.6. Processing was done in Apple Aperture. Other than color inversion I performed the follow processes:

White balance adjustment
Black/Grey/White tint adjustment
Auto levels
0.3 definition
0.5 RAW sharpening
Mid contrast adjustment
Exposure compensation
Dust removal
Red color channel hue adjustment to +20, saturation to -10, and dynamic range to +2
Edge sharpening - 0.4/0.3/0.4

It sounds like a lot but all put together it's pretty basic stuff.

Here's a shot of an old rotting tree at a gas stop in Fresh Pond, CA.


IMGP0122 - Version 2 by Never Off, on Flickr

I don't know how it shows up on other people's monitors but on mine there is a wonderful range of shadows and highlights! The colors are very vibrant, especially the green foliage.

Here's a shot of my desk with some vacuum tubes.


IMGP0126 by Never Off, on Flickr

I aimed a household desk lamp with a fluorescent bulb on the tubes. The shutter speed was very slow so I simply rested my Spotmatic on the table and set the self timer. I like how smooth the glare and haze is from left to right. The film captured it very well.

Here's a shot of my son playing with a friend at a local park.


IMGP0141 - Version 2 by Never Off, on Flickr

This is the image that reminds me of Portra. The tones feel neutral for the most part except for the rosy cheeks and green bush in the background. My son's friend on the left was running around a lot. Hence, the rosy cheeks.

So, my modern color negative film ranking today is:

1) Portra : Very nice, smooth, even film.
2) Vista Plus : Punchier Portra. It's like Extar Light.
3) Ektar : Very, very smooth but way too contrasty and punchy. Over the top colors. Limited applicability.
4) Fujicolor 200 : When you just need film. Basic stuff. Not bad. Not good. Just film.

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Last edited by 6BQ5; 08-31-2014 at 09:19 AM.

[Jonathan Mac]

I've used Vista a bit and I like it. It can be found very cheaply indeed in the UK and in much of Europe. Shame there isn't an ISO 100 version.

[wombat2go]

Interesting comparison, 6BQ5,
It looks here like the last photo of the boys is not quite gray balanced?

I just tried to buy a pack of Fuji Pro160 120 film but not available except in one internet shop for $68
so I purchased Ektar 100 and Portra 160 instead, about $25 per 5 roll pack.

Fuji Pro160ns 120 film has become my favorite. Still listed on Fuji web site, I hope it is not discontinued.

For 35mm I purchased from Walmart yesterday a pack of 4 by 24 Fuji 200 for about $9

[6BQ5]

Interesting comparison, 6BQ5,
It looks here like the last photo of the boys is not quite gray balanced?

I just tried to buy a pack of Fuji Pro160 120 film but not available except in one internet shop for $68
so I purchased Ektar 100 and Portra 160 instead, about $25 per 5 roll pack.

Fuji Pro160ns 120 film has become my favorite. Still listed on Fuji web site, I hope it is not discontinued.

For 35mm I purchased from Walmart yesterday a pack of 4 by 24 Fuji 200 for about $9

Good call on the grey balance! I tweaked it a bit and replaced the original photo on Flickr. Try reloading the first message.

Fuji Pro 160 : I'm not sure if I haven't looked for it or if I haven't found it. When I shop for film I usually sort by cheapest price first and ask myself what haven't I tried in a while. I'll have to make a conscious effort to find this film now!

The 4x24 pack of Fujifilm used to be ~$5 through their online site. Then it jumped to $9. In the store it's nearly $13!

[Jonathan Mac]

Interesting comparison, 6BQ5,
It looks here like the last photo of the boys is not quite gray balanced?

I just tried to buy a pack of Fuji Pro160 120 film but not available except in one internet shop for $68
so I purchased Ektar 100 and Portra 160 instead, about $25 per 5 roll pack.

Fuji Pro160ns 120 film has become my favorite. Still listed on Fuji web site, I hope it is not discontinued.

For 35mm I purchased from Walmart yesterday a pack of 4 by 24 Fuji 200 for about $9

Fuji Pro 160NS is also my favourite colour film. It's a shame it's not available in 35mm. I have used this e-bay retailer to buy 160NS though these days this film is actually easier to find here in Spain and the price is about the same. They send from Thailand and even have some films that I struggle to get in Europe.

5 rolls FUJI Color Pro 160NS Film 120 Medium Format Camera 074101162455 | eBay

[Jamey777]

Right now my ranking is:

Portra 400 (use from 200-800, indoor, outdoor)

Ektar 100 (outdoor work mostly)

Tri-X 400 (nearly always shot at 1600 because i love it contrasty and pushed)

Fuji 200 (for non family pics that I care less about)