Mimicking film a7iii

[brandon77]

I’m currently in the process of buying a film camera, Though are interested if anyone here has tried mimicking film within the JPEG settings of the a7iii. Ideally portra 400, Obviously without the split tone.

I use this camera for most of my professional work and would love any tips if so. Thanks

 

[Lan]

DxO FilmPack is supposed to be able to mimic Portra 400. There's a free trial version available for download from their website:

https://www.dxo.com/dxo-filmpack/renderings/

 

[Swordman]

From what I have experienced, film simulations do a pretty good job of mimicking black and white film, but when it comes to colour film, you end up more with a "generic film" look rather than getting a particular stock looking exactly like a particular film.

They still look good, but it's not the same.

 

[f1point4andbethere]

I've put years into getting the film look from digital, and there are a few takeaways...

First, shooting JPEG is not going to be your best route, especially from a Sony camera. If you want to get a Portra look while shooting JPEG, then Fuji is the route.

If you're going Raw, there are a few decent tools. I've tried them all, and I settled where I started, with Lightroom. Their film grain was terrible in the beginning but has evolved to something that truly looks almost convincing and it's truly random.

Some shooting and post production tips: turn off your electronic first curtain. Use classic lenses that you would have with a film body. Keep the sharpness way down, as Portra 35mm would be much softer than the A7III.

Finally, there's no Holy Grail of accurate film simulation. Remember, even a single film stock is subject to so many variables that it only ever is a range that you're targeting, not an absolute. If two people took the exact same shots on two of the same rolls of film, then developed, processed, digitized, or printed with any different techniques or equipment, then those two people would have differing results. Find what makes you happy and use that as a base.

 

[D Cox]

I've put years into getting the film look from digital, and there are a few takeaways...

First, shooting JPEG is not going to be your best route, especially from a Sony camera. If you want to get a Portra look while shooting JPEG, then Fuji is the route.

If you're going Raw, there are a few decent tools. I've tried them all, and I settled where I started, with Lightroom. Their film grain was terrible in the beginning but has evolved to something that truly looks almost convincing and it's truly random.

Real film grain is much coarser in the shadows than in the highlights. Does Lightroom imitate this ?

Some shooting and post production tips: turn off your electronic first curtain. Use classic lenses that you would have with a film body. Keep the sharpness way down, as Portra 35mm would be much softer than the A7III.

Finally, there's no Holy Grail of accurate film simulation. Remember, even a single film stock is subject to so many variables that it only ever is a range that you're targeting, not an absolute. If two people took the exact same shots on two of the same rolls of film, then developed, processed, digitized, or printed with any different techniques or equipment, then those two people would have differing results. Find what makes you happy and use that as a base.

Don Cox

 

[f1point4andbethere]

I've put years into getting the film look from digital, and there are a few takeaways...

First, shooting JPEG is not going to be your best route, especially from a Sony camera. If you want to get a Portra look while shooting JPEG, then Fuji is the route.

If you're going Raw, there are a few decent tools. I've tried them all, and I settled where I started, with Lightroom. Their film grain was terrible in the beginning but has evolved to something that truly looks almost convincing and it's truly random.

Real film grain is much coarser in the shadows than in the highlights. Does Lightroom imitate this ?

It does to some extent. There's a few settings that you'll need to balance to get a look you're happy with.

Some shooting and post production tips: turn off your electronic first curtain. Use classic lenses that you would have with a film body. Keep the sharpness way down, as Portra 35mm would be much softer than the A7III.

Finally, there's no Holy Grail of accurate film simulation. Remember, even a single film stock is subject to so many variables that it only ever is a range that you're targeting, not an absolute. If two people took the exact same shots on two of the same rolls of film, then developed, processed, digitized, or printed with any different techniques or equipment, then those two people would have differing results. Find what makes you happy and use that as a base.

Don Cox