Some Thoughts on VISION3 250D Motion Picture Films Stock (ECN-2)

butangmucat · 08-26-2018, 09:33 AM - **1 Like**

So I had a very good summer with my various film cameras and respooled Kodak VISION3 250D motion picture films stock.

The downside of this stock is that because of its thicker base, a 135 cannester can usually only hold 35 frames, and it is a pain to find a lab willing to process it properly. There are quite a few that can do that in China, but I have only found one lab (Lumens Photo Lab of MA) that can do it in the USA.

However, I was surprised by how much highlight and shadow detail that I can pull from its scans. Here is a demonstration of that. Full disclosure: for that specific image I used a Nikon FE2 and a Nikon Series E 36-72mm f3.5, but I decide to put it anyway as it happens to demonstrate the capability of this film very well. It was processed by my lab of choice in China and scanned with their Noritsu HS-1800 film scanner using its max resolution, and delivered as TIFF file. Post-process was done in DxO PhotoLab.

Only crop, horizon, noise reduction, and CA reduction:

Previous steps plus white balance adjustment:

DxO Smart Lighting: slight

DxO Smart Lighting: medium

DxO Smart Lighting: strong

P.S. which one looks more pleasing? I would like some input.

Last edited by butangmucat; 08-26-2018 at 10:13 PM.

jcdoss · 08-26-2018, 10:32 AM

I like the DXO/medium best. Thanks for writing up a bit about this film. I've been interested in getting a 100' roll after I run out of what I have and process it at home.

IgorZ · 08-26-2018, 10:39 AM

Thanks for sharing. I thought vision 3 was respooled as cinestill, wasn't it?

abruzzi · 08-26-2018, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by IgorZ

Thanks for sharing. I thought vision 3 was respooled as cinestill, wasn't it?

yeah, but they don't do 250D. Thats a bit odd since more people shoot 100-400 instead of more extreme ISO like 50 or 800.

IgorZ · 08-26-2018, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by abruzzi

yeah, but they don't do 250D. Thats a bit odd since more people shoot 100-400 instead of more extreme ISO like 50 or 800.

Good point. I do like slow film though. Trying to finish my current roll and find an excuse to use some cinestill 50

tomcook · 08-26-2018, 05:40 PM

Nice train pic. I like the "medium" one.

butangmucat · 08-26-2018, 08:50 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jcdoss

I like the DXO/medium best. Thanks for writing up a bit about this film. I've been interested in getting a 100' roll after I run out of what I have and process it at home.

You should try to get proper ECN-2 chemicals and strictly follow ECN-2 process. I've had some of these films process in C-41 and they're barely usable. They had severe color shift and lack of density/shadow details.

通过我的 moto x4 上的 Tapatalk发言

butangmucat · 08-26-2018, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by abruzzi

yeah, but they don't do 250D. Thats a bit odd since more people shoot 100-400 instead of more extreme ISO like 50 or 800.

I've actually emailed them and they say they are not offering this film in the foreseeable future.

通过我的 moto x4 上的 Tapatalk发言

**twilhelm** · 08-26-2018, 10:24 PM

I also like the "medium" one the most. Thanks for the write up, I'll have to try some soon.

08-26-2018, 09:33 AM - 1 Like	#1
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709	Some Thoughts on VISION3 250D Motion Picture Films Stock (ECN-2) So I had a very good summer with my various film cameras and respooled Kodak VISION3 250D motion picture films stock. The downside of this stock is that because of its thicker base, a 135 cannester can usually only hold 35 frames, and it is a pain to find a lab willing to process it properly. There are quite a few that can do that in China, but I have only found one lab (Lumens Photo Lab of MA) that can do it in the USA. However, I was surprised by how much highlight and shadow detail that I can pull from its scans. Here is a demonstration of that. Full disclosure: for that specific image I used a Nikon FE2 and a Nikon Series E 36-72mm f3.5, but I decide to put it anyway as it happens to demonstrate the capability of this film very well. It was processed by my lab of choice in China and scanned with their Noritsu HS-1800 film scanner using its max resolution, and delivered as TIFF file. Post-process was done in DxO PhotoLab. Only crop, horizon, noise reduction, and CA reduction: Previous steps plus white balance adjustment: DxO Smart Lighting: slight DxO Smart Lighting: medium DxO Smart Lighting: strong P.S. which one looks more pleasing? I would like some input. Last edited by butangmucat; 08-26-2018 at 10:13 PM.

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08-26-2018, 10:32 AM	#2
jcdoss Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,801	I like the DXO/medium best. Thanks for writing up a bit about this film. I've been interested in getting a 100' roll after I run out of what I have and process it at home.

08-26-2018, 10:39 AM	#3
IgorZ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,735	Thanks for sharing. I thought vision 3 was respooled as cinestill, wasn't it?

08-26-2018, 11:36 AM	#4
abruzzi Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New Mexico Posts: 788	Originally posted by IgorZ Thanks for sharing. I thought vision 3 was respooled as cinestill, wasn't it? yeah, but they don't do 250D. Thats a bit odd since more people shoot 100-400 instead of more extreme ISO like 50 or 800.

08-26-2018, 02:24 PM	#5
IgorZ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,735	Originally posted by abruzzi yeah, but they don't do 250D. Thats a bit odd since more people shoot 100-400 instead of more extreme ISO like 50 or 800. Good point. I do like slow film though. Trying to finish my current roll and find an excuse to use some cinestill 50

08-26-2018, 05:40 PM	#6
tomcook Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Albums Posts: 125	Nice train pic. I like the "medium" one.

08-26-2018, 08:50 PM - 1 Like	#7
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709 Original Poster	Originally posted by jcdoss I like the DXO/medium best. Thanks for writing up a bit about this film. I've been interested in getting a 100' roll after I run out of what I have and process it at home. You should try to get proper ECN-2 chemicals and strictly follow ECN-2 process. I've had some of these films process in C-41 and they're barely usable. They had severe color shift and lack of density/shadow details. 通过我的 moto x4 上的 Tapatalk发言

08-26-2018, 10:09 PM	#8
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709 Original Poster	Originally posted by abruzzi yeah, but they don't do 250D. Thats a bit odd since more people shoot 100-400 instead of more extreme ISO like 50 or 800. I've actually emailed them and they say they are not offering this film in the foreseeable future. 通过我的 moto x4 上的 Tapatalk发言

08-26-2018, 10:24 PM	#9
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	I also like the "medium" one the most. Thanks for the write up, I'll have to try some soon.