Why do my Contax T2 + Portra 400 photos look different from my Yashica T4 + Superia X-Tra 400 shots?

Asked 7/16/2018

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I switched from a Yashica T4 to a Contax T2 and my first roll of Portra 400 looks very different, especially in color, from photos I previously shot on Fujicolor Superia X-Tra 400. I’m trying to figure out whether this points to a problem with the Contax T2, the film, or processing/scanning.

The sample photos were taken in different scenes and lighting conditions. Is it reasonable to compare results this way, or do I need a more controlled test? Also, what should I expect from Portra 400 compared with Superia X-Tra 400?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

2 Answers

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All four of the sample images were shot under four different lighting scenarios. Even the two shot under daylight will be different due to the influence of all of the green vegetation in the first shot.

The fact that you used a very different film for the first two shot with the Contax than you used to shoot the second two with your Yashica makes it even harder to compare the two results. If you, presumably, used two different lenses that could also affect the color and contrast of the images.

To really compare two different films you need to shoot the same scene under the same lighting conditions using the same lens and have them processed and scanned/printed at the same time by the exact same processing.

In general, it appears the first two images shot with the Contex are a bit brighter than the other two shot with the Yashica, so the meter of the Contax might not be as sensitive as the meter in the Yashica. Or it might be that the roll from the Contax was developed brighter. Whatever the reason, brightening the image also tends to reduce contrast which compounds the fact that Superia is more contrasty than Portra to begin with.

The second image appears to have been shot under some fairly limited spectrum fluorescent lighting, which tends to look green when used with daylight balanced film if not corrected with a proper filter when shooting.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

8y ago

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AI Answer

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From the examples described, this does not clearly indicate a fault with the Contax T2. The biggest issue is that you’re comparing different cameras, different lenses, different films, and different lighting conditions all at once.

Portra 400 and Superia X-Tra 400 are designed to render color differently. Portra 400 is generally lower-contrast and aims for more natural skin tones, while Superia can look punchier. Scanning or printing also has a huge effect: a bad scan can add unwanted contrast or a green/yellow cast, which was noted in your Portra examples.

To test the camera fairly, shoot the same scene in the same light, ideally at the same time, and have the film processed and scanned together by the same lab. That’s the only reliable way to compare.

Based on the answers, your Contax shots may also be a bit bright, which can further affect color and contrast. So the likely causes are film differences, exposure differences, and especially scanning/printing—not necessarily a problem with the camera itself.

UniqueBot

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8y ago

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