Every cross processed slide films have different color shifts. In order to use them flexibly, why don't we have a color palette?
At times, we use different color tones to express different moods. For example, we will choose bright blue for joy, deep red for nostalgia, indigo for darker moods. Some films have similar color tones, you can choose according to your preferences. But there are still subtle differences and my article will discuss in greater details.
However, I would like to clarify something upfront:
- Every xpro film development is unique, even if the same film is used. Camera, lens, ambient lighting, ISO setting, lab used etc will affect the final results. Therefore, the chosen photos might not be the most beautiful. But I had included every possible shooting combination such as different sky colors, indoors/outdoors, cameras for your reference.
- I had personally used all the films discussed below. But there are so many types of slide films out there. These are for reference purposes, you need to try out to see if you like the color shifts.
- Most of the films are readily available in the shops.
- Photography is on a best effort basis, hence no price comparisons or hard sell here (wouldn’t that take the fun out of photography?).
BLUE
Agfa Precisa CT100
The legendary Agfa slide film turns beautifully blue after xpro. To be exact, it makes all colors vivid but natural. It is a great performer in both strong and low lights. Ever since production shifted from Europe to Japan, the colors turn more greenish, especially for night and indoor shots.
(EU)
(JP)
Lomography X-Pro Chrome 100
It makes all colors more vivid, without too much color shifts. You would be tempted to take random shots of the skies, the children, and continue right into the night! It is not affected by low light. You can read this for more details!
Kodak EliteChrome 100
It is readily available and is suitable for beginners to try out. Similar to Agfa CT100, it is perfect for taking blue skies. Capturing portraits during sunny days will also look natural. Under the dim twilight lighting, colors will appear more natural. There is green color shifts for indoors and night shots, be careful if taking portraits.
GREEN
Fuji Sensia 200
The greens of expired Sensia 200 feels comfortable, unlike the glaring greens when the film is fresh. There is a solemn mood when used in cloudy days. At night, it can express different colors and is not monotonous.
Kodak EliteChrome 200
The color shifts are in between green and blue. And the whole frame is filled with this depressing color tone. This gives the photo a vintage feel. When shot indoor, one color dominates, therefore the subject should be something with high contrasts.
Fuji Provia 400F
This is my most frequently used film. Besides the slight tinge of green color shifts, it is fast enough for different lighting conditions. Although not as vivid as X-Pro Chrome 100, there is a certain profound depth in the greenish blue skies. Despite the slight green cast, it is still suitable for portrait skin tones. You can read this for more details!
Fuji Provia 400X
Fuji Provia100F
Under sunny conditions, it has greenish blue color shifts. On cloudy days, indoors and at night, it is bright green. Therefore, it is more suitable for the great outdoors.
YELLOW
Lomography X-Pro Slide 200
At night, yellow is dominant! There is pale yellow color cast on sunny and cloudy days with a tinge of greens. Therefore, when using X-Pro 200, blue skies will appear a mesmerizing green.
RED
Fuji Velvia 100F
It is red hot, like burning orange color tones. On sunny days, vivid colored items will retain their colors while others will be painted red. Everything is red indoors and at night. Velvia 100F is great for expressing summer sensations or vintage feel of old neighborhoods.
Fuji Sensia 100
Its reds are deep reds. As if the skies are holding back some words, there won’t be very strong feelings. It is orangey red when shot indoors. My personal opinion is that it is more suitable for landscape shots as it would be too red for portraits.
Fuji T64
Its reds are pinkish red, just like looking at the world through a pair of pink sunglasses. Indoor and cloudy day shots will have a purple tinge, very warm feeling.
PURPLE
Fuji Astia 100
This is one of the rare films with purplish red color shifts. Under sunny conditions, it has an unique charm. Indoor and cloudy day shots will be dominated by purplish red color shifts, under lighting, it is closer to orange colors, like Sensia 100.
Conclusion
Like I mentioned in the beginning, cross processing has too many variables. I can only provide an approximation. No point arguing with RGB values as each photo is uniquely yours! Enjoy the process of being surprised every time!I hope that after reading this, you will grab a suitable film before heading out!
Which film did you bring out today?
P.S. I still want to try E100 series!
41 comments
icuresick
Finally, translated to English! Thank you LSI!
vicuna
Great article!!
guanatos
this article is aweeesooomeeeee
discodrew
Great article. A real keeper to refference back too. Thanks for this.
mephisto19
great article and overview! for europe chemicals you can have a look at my article about cross process http://www.lomograph(…)-mephisto19
grazie
great article!!!
el-perverso
I just packed an Agfa Precisia CT100 in my LC-A
jessye
asharnanae
great article! On the fuji T64 side, I used some expired 120 film and it gave me vivid purple/mauve in dull conditions and indoors using flash.
adi_totp
great great great!
megzeazez
Anyone know why my Provia 100F xpro photos always come out very red and pink?
megzeazez
Ooops I'm shooting Velvia...found my own answer! :]
ihave2pillows
Both my Precisa CT and Sensia turn green for some reason, whereas my Lomo X-tungsten is purple is daylight but redish at night...
gvelasco
Great! Great! Article. Nice work.
signals_pulsate
Wow I jus found this cross process wheel. Helpful
superkulisap
very nice!
thinkgeek
why can't i translate this in other languages? O_o
yijing
Really useful article for my reference. Superb!
jeyku
really interesting - nice article
aoba
great article! very useful !!
ugodelcorso
this is gold! thank you singleelderly
domo-guy
I don't know whether its the processing or the weather, but most of my slide photos turn out reddish.. :( btw nice article!
mazott
Awesome! I think Lomography X Tunsten 64 sits in the purple area.
lawypop
awesome info by @singleelderly and translated by @coolsigg !!
redtulip
awesome article, thanks a lot
ariannapaloma
GOD! This is the NEW BIBLE!!!! ;) awesome work, thank you!
dreadlockboy
great article :)
erikagrendel
perfect article !!!
wzzk
great article and its very useful, congrats!
deepfried_goodness
This is one of the most informative articles yet.
savi0325
Love the wheel chart! Thank you
cc-in-paris
great article! instant text-book reference
singleelderly
Thanks all for the likes and comments : ) And thanks @coolsigg for translating to English!
mgf
great guidance!
civcivli
wow, this will really help me. thank you!
istionojr
intense article, awesome!
wennie
great article! thanks a lot! :))
eunicegoh
A very helpful article for a lomography newbie like me!
swampwater
Thanks so much for the effort that went in to this!
lwadethompson
This is really helpful. Thanks a bunch.
kschraer
I was hoping something like this existed. Thanks!