Ektar 100 is easily one of my favorite films: low grain, lots of details, lovely colors – simply what I would call high a quality film. Some of you may remember when I exposed a roll of badly expired Ektar, but this time let’s have a look what it can really do.
Processing (ECN-2) and scanning was done at Silbersalz35 in Germany.
Before getting an analogue camera with the actual intention of using it I did expose a few rolls in 2011 with a Nikon F80. Films were still cheap and I checked what other photographers at that time recommended and I bought 2 rolls each of Ektar 100 and Velvia 50.
Having those films developed at a local camera store back in the day was a real let down: sloppy processing, low resolution scans and a lot of work in post to try and save those pictures. So after those few rolls I kinda gave up on that for the coming 10 years. Yet some of those Ektar 100 pictures (like the one above) I always kept coming back to, despite all the issues, because they simply looked very appealing to me.
So here we are again, but this time with good labs and better scans. This film is also eligible for Silbersalz35’s ECN-2 processing and I haven’t been disappointed.
It is sad (yet understandable) that the choice of films is very limited these days, but at the same time I am happy that some high quality options are still available and I hope it will stay like that for years to come.
Of all the films I exposed so far the Ektar 100 – especially in combination with Silbersalz35’s ECN-2 processing – is clearly my favorite.
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Absolutely first rate photography! love the cat sleeping on the wall. Not much of a film guy but I like what you do with it. It apparently goes nicely with MS optics
Impressive results, but I guess a lot of it is due to Silbersalz scans since they really make sure you can get the most versatile files to post process afterwards
I’m going to try that recipe in the future, I like Ektar and getting to try new things on the same emulsion sounds fun
how do you like ektar in ECN vs c41? ektar is also my favorite film I know portra is the most popular but ektar+ a sharp lens is something special.
So far I prefer everything in ECN-2, but the Ektar 100 is also my favorite in C-41.
Very beautiful photos again, congrats! Of course this is mostly due to the excellent photographer ;–), but the Ektar 100 film with ECN-2 excells here, too. Unlike some other “fashionable” films it delivers really realistic and nuanced colours, but still has the certain something of classic film …
From all the films you have presented to us until now this is certainly my personal favourite, too, and if I would try to get back to film this would be a good candidate. ;–) Seems it is even available as 120 film, so one could also try it with some good old medium-format camera.
I believe film handles saturated reds much better than digital (such as your picture of the Ferrari). Would you agree?
Generally yes. Bright oversaturated colors in general.
Thanks for this, very interesting! What is your take on the 14K scans? I tried them recently and right now I find them just too much. However, it would be great to have a little more headroom than the 4K standard resolution … I think 6K or 7K would be perfect, but it is what it is. I still like Silbersalz a lot 🙂
I share your opinion 100%. I greatly preferred the old 20mp scans, I also told Silbersalz the same already.
The 14K is just too much… And my drive fills up FAST… I personally create 7K tiff from those 14K, great middleground.
do you use a drum scanner? film’s theoretical resolution is 60 megapixels and about 11 stops dynamic range
I don’t use a drum scanner and having 60 mp files does not equal having 60 mp actual resolution.
Love these photos mate. Was curious how your experience was taking film through the airports here in Türkiye. I’ve been many times but this summer will be the first time I’m shooting film there. I’ve heard mixed things about issues getting film hand checked, Istanbul especially.
You can totally forget about having it hand checked. I tried. I got a lead bag, but one of the new airport scanners (the ones where you are allowed to carry water again) still ruined one of my films.
Did they allow the lead bag ? I don’t know much about this method. And was the film that was ruined a high ISO film ?
Yeah no one cares about that. Was not a high Iso film (200).
Cheers for the info!