Which Print Stock?

[Ashim]

Hello

 

How crucial is it to choose the right print stock?

 

Wat are the various parameters for choosing one print stock over the others? (Just like in negative where one can go with a faster or slower stock, color temp, etc).

Is it possible to increase or decrease the contrast with a print stock?

 

And what is the reason that some of the films shot on a Kodak Negative are printed on a Fuji Stock?|

 

Thanks

[David Mullen ASC]

There are two Kodak color print stocks, two Fuji, and one Agfa. They are all rather similar in terms of look in that none of them have an extreme look. Kodak and Fuji both make a "normal" print stock and then a slightly higher contrast / higher saturation print stock. The Agfa print stock apparently also is a little contrasty with good blacks. One reason people choose one over the other is cost. Otherwise, it just depends on if you need the slight boost in contrast, blacks, and saturation. Out of all of them, Kodak Premier (2393) has the strongest colors and blacks, almost a dye transfer print look.

[Ashim]

One more thing:

 

And what is the reason that some of the films shot on a Kodak Negative are printed on a Fuji Stock?

 

Thank You

[David Mullen ASC]

One more thing:

 

And what is the reason that some of the films shot on a Kodak Negative are printed on a Fuji Stock?

 

Thank You

 

I basically answered that. Other than cost reasons (the studio may have a deal on Fuji print stock, like New Line Cinema does) it's due to the contrast / saturation / black level of the print stock that the DP likes. The Fuji and Kodak negative and print stocks are not so far apart that one cannot print Fuji onto Kodak or vice-versa.

 

In terms of contrast, from lowest to highest, it's basically like:

 

Fuji 3510 (probably will be discontinued soon)

Kodak Vision 2383

Fuji 3513-D.I.

Fuji 3525 (?) XD (new)

Kodak Vision Premier 2393

 

With Agfa somewhere in the middle there.

 

Generally the higher contrast print stocks have deeper blacks and a higher silver content in the emulsion, so they cost more. So let's say you want to print on Kodak Premier 2393 but the distributor won't pay for it, but they might be willing to pay for Fuji XD print stock, which is the next closest stock in terms of black level.