How well do film emulators match up?

[bmw44]

Film emulsions were inconsistent from lot to lot as well. I recall buying many 'bricks' of the same E6 film, all from the identical emulsion number that got housed in a dedicated refrigerator. Then running controlled film tests for both color and exposure with my pro lab. Specific CC filters were used for each emulsion to counter visual changes to target a norm. It's one reason why I would go to A&I in those days, to consult with Ish, the owner who had an incredible eye for color and a master of process control.

Oh, yeah. Film batches. CC filters. I haven't had a problem with that for years; ever since I stopped using film for copying artwork.

 

[Ron Poelman]

They're just another button to press.
Some of the better ones (Nik)
provide a full complement of sliders
to do secondary adjustments
and these can provide far more convincing results.


I agree with others though,
basic PP can provide most of these looks
without needing a dedicated button,
if your package has a granularity slider.

 

[Easy Rider]

Have to disagree with you there. I use Color effex pro 4 and the film emulators there do more than add grain.

The concept of rubbish in, rubbish out still counts, but with a well exposed shot to start with they really do a lot with saturation, tone contrast, exposure.

This really surprised me, I can put in a well exposed and prepared RAW and after the CEP4 filter, literally find the levels, curves etc are most often perfect and need no selective or global tweaking at all.

 

[Ron Poelman]

Have to disagree with you there. I use Color effex pro 4 and the film emulators there do more than add grain.

No one's suggesting they don't, it's how well they emulate you asked about.

The concept of rubbish in, rubbish out still counts, but with a well exposed shot to start with they really do a lot with saturation, tone contrast, exposure.

All four of which are available in any package,
A decent grain tool ? Not so much.

This really surprised me, I can put in a well exposed and prepared RAW and after the CEP4 filter, literally find the levels, curves etc are most often perfect and need no selective or global tweaking at all.

You mean a perfect emulation or a perfect shot ?
They're not the same.

 

[Easy Rider]

Oh a perfect shot. Like I said it has literally taken many steps out of my PP.

I am shocked they work so well in that sense!

I have learned they do not match the film / slide film for many reasons, which was interesting reading from all of you.

I can see that they work by reducing DR in one aspect.

But I have really been appreciating the look they - especially the CEP4 Velvia and Astia - give to my street photography. They really intensify the moments I've captured and the way they saturate and treat the colours adds a really nice almost surreal atmosphere.

The grain aspect holds no interest for me, I do not want the grain effect.

Cheers all.

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[Elyharbour]

Have you tried the film emulations pack for Raw Therapee? Seems a huge number of options there. The LR emulations of the Fuji digital camera film emulations seem close to spot-on to me and I use them all the time...but I guess that's not what you're asking.

 

[Easy Rider]

Naw, I'll stick with CEP4 works fine for me.

Main OP, was just curiosity is all

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