NC400 & NC500 vs. 5219 side-by-side test results

[David Jean Schweitzer, SOC]

 

Please follow this link to view the comprehensive NC400, NC500 as compared to Eastman Kodak 5219 that was shot on March 1st, 2023. https://vimeo.com/820380873

We used two Aaton Penelopes in a side-by-side  setup with matching prime lenses. We made two passes, each with the NC stocks in the A camera and Kodak 5219 500T in the B camera. The exposed material was developed and scanned at Colorlab on a DFT Scanty at 4.3K for a 1 to 1 representation on 4K DCI. In addition the material reviewed on ARRI Scanner Company 3 by Thomas Kuo.

The team exposed the stocks at their respective box speed. 

The first thing we wanted to find out is the film stocks' speed. The factory rates the two film stocks at ISO 400. We implemented the standard two stops under to 2 stops over wedge test in 1/2 stop increments. 

 

We concluded that the NC400 emulsion looked closer to "normal" at one stop over or N+1, that being ISO 200. At the same time, the NC500 appears to have a slightly less normal density at close to the factory box speed of ISO 400. In conclusion, NC500 appears to have an ISO of 320. I recommend exposing it at ISO 250.

Test Credits:
Dwight D. Campbell - Master Gaffer
Donald Burghardt - Master 1st AC
Dan Venti - Master 1st AC
David Auner, AAC - Cinematographer
Gustavo Perez - Electrician
Hanako Ohashi - Coordinator
David Jean Schweitzer, SOC - Cinematographer, Project Leader

CURVES-comparative.jp2

[Karim D. Ghantous]

Shame about the perforations. And the Kodak stock is definitely the better product in every way. If film does have a future - and I hope that it does - then I hope that Orwo can be the new Fuji or Agfa.

[David Jean Schweitzer, SOC]

Greeting film aficionados !

Have posted a "BEST LIGHT" grade of both the NC stocks for your review. https://vimeo.com/833892290
Note: this grade is still based on ORWO's published ISO, that being said the 'new normal' exposure is at ~1 stop over or N+1 overall. The color balance for NC400 which is native at 4000°K and the NC500 native at 5000°K were corrected using the Calibrate Color Checker charts. 
I will post a side-by-side NC vs. 5219 soon. Stay tuned.

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D a v i d   J e a n   S c h w e i t z e r   /   S.O.C.

C  i  n  e  m  a  t  o  g  r  a  p  h  e  r   /  I. C. G.

 

Please Visit: http://www.davids.io

[James Compton]

 These new ORWO color negative film stocks have a unique, dirty dupe grind house look to them. They have lots of potential for "alternate looks". Thanks for posting these tests.

[David Auner aac]

Hi fellow film lovers!
The ICG magazine published an article on our test in their July issue. Here's the link:  https://issuu.com/icgmagazine/docs/july2023/18
Enjoy and thanks again for your interest!
Best, David

[Jon O'Brien]

On 6/21/2023 at 1:39 PM, James Compton said:

 These new ORWO color negative film stocks have a unique, dirty dupe grind house look to them. They have lots of potential for "alternate looks". Thanks for posting these tests.

I agree James.

And in time, if they can get somewhat closer to the classic Agfa kind of look that would be fantastic.