Reversal Film

[batchelorette]

Can anyone tell me what reversal film is and what makes it different from negative film? Also, Which is better, or easier to use?

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Caroline

[capul8]

Well, let's keep this simple: Both negative and reversal film have three layers of emulsion, each layer being sensitive to a different color. The difference is that the dyes used to process reversal film produce a positive image (Meaning the photographic image looks like it does in real life) while negative film comes out as negative. (Dark areas appear white, light areas appear black)

Now the practical meaning of all this is that reversal film is processed immediately into the very same film strip you will edit and run through your projector. Negative film must be printed onto a second film strip which is positive.
Advantages of reversal film: Cheaper, usually faster (exception now: Kodak Vision 200T Negative film) and less expensive to process. On the downside, reversal doesn't give you much room to move for corrections during processing. And if you don't transfer to video or mini DV, you will be editing (which means handling) the one and only original footage. And running that one and only edited original through the projector.
With negative film you can make a work print, handle it, cut it, scratch it, add fades and dissolves, then make a final print (or 10 final prints) without any loss of quality. (Non Linear Editing on your computer will save you the work print step) As you can imagine, the several steps cost quite a bit more. Added sound will run the cost even higher, but you'd add that onto reversal film as well.
Check out the archives here for lots of friendly opinions and terrific shared knowledge by those much more in the know than I.

Let me recommend the 8mm Metadirectory http://lavender.fortunecity.com/lavender/569/

To my fellow posters: Hows that FAQ coming?

[Alex]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Courier, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by batchelorette:
Can anyone tell me what reversal film is and what makes it different from negative film? Also, Which is better, or easier to use?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Basically, Kodachrome 40, a reversal stock produces the most colorful and richest look of any Super-8 stock.

Ektachrome is a more sensitive, more grainy color reversal stock for when you are shooting indoors and can't pump enough light into your shooting area for Kodachrome 40.

Tri-X and Plus-X are popular black and white stocks, Tri-X is more light sensitive than Plus-X.

However, Reversal film is contrasty, meaning the darker to lighter parts of the same set need to be closer to each other to get an evenly exposed picture.

Negative has greater contrast lattitude from dark to light.

Reversal is easier in the sense that's once you take the 1-3 weeks to get your Kodachrome film developed, you can get a lower cost but decent transfer done.

BW can be done in 1-2 days depending on the lab you choose, I'm not sure about Ektachrome.

If you shoot negative, you get faster service at a higher price, and you will need to transfer to video...

...the places to transfer negative (Rank Cintel) to video are all over $200/hr

With reversal, you have the choice of either editing the original, OR transferring to video.

Some people do a HIGH QUALITY transfer to BetaCam SP, edit the original, than conform the video to the edited version of their film edit.

The basic downside to this approach is you are cutting your original, the upside is you can show it on a film-projector.

Although I believe video projection is quite fine.

-Alex

[batchelorette]

thanks a lot. as you can imagine i am new to this and dont want to waste time and $$ buying the wrong film

[capul8]

Are you a film student or taking a course in film somewhere? You may qualify for Kodak's Educational Allowance Program. K-40 is sold to students at a 20% dicount off the retail price of $10.52 (minimum 5 cartridges) That's $8.46 a cartridge. And they'll ship all five for $3.50. B & W is even less. It's by far the best deal, but you have to qualify. You can call them at
800 621 3456
Good Luck and don't give up!
Bernie