Reflx Lab 800T (Tungsten) Film
Reflx Lab 800T (Tungsten) Film
Analog Film Review
Reflx Lab 800T (Tungsten) Film
Motion picture film available in C-41 process
Reflx Lab 800T is a cinema film with emulsion from Kodak Vision 3 5219 500T. Still, the film is modified and suitable for C-41 processing. An extra layer is called “rem-jet” on the motion picture film. This film has already removed this layer to allow you to develop it directly in the C-41 process. You can develop this film like CineStill in any lab that processes negative films.
Process difference between C-41 and ECN-2
Typically colour negative motion picture films are developed in a process called ECN-2 (Eastman Colour Negative 2) that includes a step to remove rem-jet on the film layer. This Reflx Lab emulsion can be cross-processed in C-41 chemistry. Most processing places do not have the service to remove the rem-jet layer, and by not doing that, it will contaminate the chemistry in the machine affecting not only your roll but any other film passing through the machine at that point. Make sure you deliberately tell your lab this is safe to develop in C-41 if they don’t know about it. Or do a quick examination of the base layer; a matte and sheen are finishing on the film base emulsion.
Kodak Vision 3 500T - Its origin
You may refer to this post if you ever wondered how this film looked before remjet was removed and developed in ECN-2 (processing method). One main difference between Kodak 500T and Reflx Lab 800T is the halo (glow) around highlights (bright areas).
How to use a tungsten film (cool tone)
The “T” in 800T stands for tungsten film. If you use tungsten film in daylight will produce a bluish cast. If you use this film at night, it will balance out the warm tone of the light with low colour temperature (Kelvin ~2700-3000). Many places are using LED light, which will give you a bluish tint. It is a high-speed negative film for low light situations. Most importantly, the film is “pushable”, allowing you to rate the ISO up to 3200 (2 stops faster).
Colour tone and signature
Reflex Lab 800T is excellent to pair with neon lights at night with its distinctive cool colour tone, and the neon signs will be very standout. The overblown red colour and natural skin tone impressed me. I immediately thought of the movie Chungking Express and Happy Together, directed by Wong Kar Wai. The other high speed films, such as Kodak Portra 800, will give you a warmer tone because it is more daylight balanced. If you are looking for photos similar to CineStill, this is the film you should try.
ISO base and recommended push processing
You may refer to this table below to set your ISO dial. Remember to tell the lab how many stops you need to push the film or similarly tell them at what ISO the film was shot at.
- ISO 800 – No push / 1 stop push if too dark
- ISO 1250 – 1 stop push
- ISO 1600 – 2 stop push
- ISO 3200 – 3 stop push (added contrast)
Always pay attention to your environment to avoid underexposes.
Signature halo?
Same as CineStill, the highlights of this film also produced the halo glow. An anti-halation backing prevents the light from bouncing back from the camera pressure plate (to keep your film flat) into the emulsion. Without it will give out a glowing red around the highlight (bright) areas.
Difference between Reflx Lab and Cinestill
Technically they are the same film stock with remjet removed, meaning both of them can process in C41. Because it is a motion picture film, you will get the best result in the ECN-2 process, but I have yet to try this. I noticed that Reflx lab has very fresh film stock from Kodak and produces very sharp and crisp images. The colours in ECN2 are slightly brighter and more vivid, giving you the option to develop in both C41 or ECN-2.
Conclusion
In short, I think this is a relatively lower-priced option compared with CineStill. It also gives you sharper images with fresher film stock. You don’t want to miss this if you like shooting at night with excellent neon signs and the halo glow from CineStill, especially at a lower price point. You can purchase it in the link below. We also offer 400D film stock too!
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