OptiColour 200 | A New Colour Film
OptiColour 200 (preproduction) is now available for sale!
Here we go! The reveal blog on the world's newest 120 colour film!
The questions most people want answers on are: What is this film? How does it look like? How does it perform? We provide answers to these questions!
What is this film?
It's a new emulsion, created and coated by InovisCoat in Germany. OptiColour 200 is the Wolfen NC200 emulsion in 120 – only available from Optik Oldschool. This new film features natural colours, good contrast, great greens and reds and awesome skin tones, setting itself apart significantly from the other films of the NC series (NC400/500). Added bonus: The film has an orange base, which makes it easier to handle when scanning in the Lab.
What is Optik Oldschool's part in all that?
Months ago we teamed up with InovisCoat to run Lab tests with this film. It all started with a full factory tour followed by several meetings at InovisCoat's facitilies. Shortly after we started to get hands on rolls with test-coatings which we were to provide feedback on. We shot these with different cameras under several lighting conditions, scanned them with Frontiers, Noritsus and even did camera scanning sessions.
Initially the film had a green-ish base (known from NC500), so we were skeptical for the outcome but very pleasantly surprised when we ran the developed rolls through the scanners. We provided feedback on colours and scanning performance and kept questioning why the film could not have an orange base. Additional hours of work and weeks of preparation later and voilà, the orange base was born yielding even better results when scanned in the Lab!
We've never been this close to film production and feel delighted to be a part of it – we pride ourselves of having been influencial to the orange base becoming a reality.
How does it look like – How does it perform?
The film looks great! Yea… unexpected to read this from us, right? Don't take our words for it, see for yourself!
The follwing photos have been shot by @maddies_synpunkt, @geldbier, @traegi and @cvandebroek. Further details underneath the photos.
OptiColour 200 / @maddies_synpunkt / Both: Noritsu HS1800
We partnered with a lot more people – Going forward we'll share many photos so you can enjoy OptiColour 200 in different conditions featuring various photographic styles. THANK YOU @silversaltress, @jan.onfilm, @crisjrey, @analognorbi, @leoniefreemanphoto, @weni.jong, @kyle__mcdougall, @karinmajoka, @lightistic, @ishkhanghazarian, @metalfingers, @arthur_solich_photography, @charlotterosebeers (@her.exposure) and @hashemmcadam (@pushingfilm) for your support!
Box speed vs. pushing – Does it hold up?
Most of the photos have been shot at box speed but what would a film reveal be without pushing it at least one stop? So.... we did. These are shots taken on the streets around the Lab. Everyday scenes, no special setup.
OptiColour 200 (pushed +1) / @cvandebroek / Left: Fuji Frontier, Right: Noritsu HS1800
As expected from pushed film, the contrast is slightly increased, colours are more punchy. The grain is well under control so in case it's needed, you can easily push the film and gain a full stop of light (likely even more, if you're adventurous).
OptiColour 200 (pushed +1) / @cvandebroek / Left: Fuji Frontier, Right: Noritsu HS1800
All well, great and set? Eeeeeeeh. Almost!
We experienced a setback during production in April. Something went wrong with the coating and the anti-halation-layer got affected. The error has been identified and will be corrected during the next production. The anti-halation-error turns out to be really evil on a PET base while it's "controllable" with a triacetate base as used for 35mm film. This means the first rolls of OptiColour 200 in 120 will have to be cut from 35mm material, with the known side-effect: fat rolls. The halation effect isn't as pronounced as known from CineStill films, though still visible. You may also spot some red/green dots here and there.
A new production is planned. We're aiming for a final version in 120 coated on PET material, resulting in normal sized rolls and an even clearer orange base. We will document more on the error and how it affected the 120 material + give more insights on the making, the test rolls, light piping issues, etc. The proccess has been quite some ride.
Photos seen, text read. Price & availability, please!
The first production run will become available in June 2025 for 9,90€. The final product is expected to become available in August, featuring a PET base, fully working anti-halation layer and a non-curl addition so the film remains straight after development.
Follow us on Instagram for more updates: @optikoldschool