Kodak Vision3 250D

Unfortunately, I can't just send Kodak Vision3 250D to just any lab.

NOTE: I’ll begin this experience report with a brief disclaimer. It’s been less than three years since I returned to shooting 35mm film after switching to digital photography over 20 years ago. I’ve inundated myself with as much film education as possible between web articles and advice from experienced film shooters. But, since my prior experience with film is decades old, this review is from a rather novice point of view.

I saw the email notice from Old School Photo Lab to download my scans of the negatives from my roll of Kodak Vision3 250D 35mm film. I exposed this roll of film in May of this year. We were all vaccinated, so Jeremy and Neha wanted to visit so their baby, Ronith, could meet the rest of his family. It was great to see them. Neha is Bhavna's cousin. We were all still getting used to being with people, so we sat outside and wore masks when we were close to Ronith. The family event allowed me to expose a 24-exposure roll of Vision3 250D Colour Negative Film, which I purchased from the Film Photography Project. FPP sells Vision3 Motion Picture film, which they hand-roll into 35mm canisters.

father and child
Baby Ronith and Dad Jeremy | May 2021 | Minolta XD-11 | MD ROKKOR-X 45mm F2 | Kodak Vision3 250D

This is one of the challenges I have with film photography. With digital photography, the image has dense metadata about the photos - camera, lens, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation etc. Unless I take copious notes, most of this information is lost when I expose the film. I may remember that I used my Minolta XD-11. I remember that I used my MD Rokkor-X 45mm f/2 lens. I know that the film I used is ISO 250. Unless I write it all down, I can remember what aperture ad shutter speeds were used.

Some of the images were blurry, but I liked the look of the sharper ones. Perhaps it's how the negatives were scanned, but the photos have a slight reddish hue that I do not see in the examples I found online.

Unfortunately, I can't just send Kodak Vision3 250D to any lab. Like most colour motion picture film stocks, 250D has a protective layer called Remjet, which helps deal with the tremendous heat generated while running through a camera. This Remjet layer must be removed during processing and requires specialist developing equipment unavailable at most film development labs. The film ($10) and the development and scanning ($24-$34) are expensive. I think I'll shoot this film again, but not often.

Name Kodak Vision3 250D
Price US$9.99
Type Colour motion picture film (negative)
Native ISO 50
Format 35mm
Process ECN-2
Features Exposure latitude of -5 to +5 stops
Lab Old School Photo Lab
woman and child
Ronith and Nilima | May 2021 | Minolta XD-11 | MD ROKKOR-X 45mm F2 | Kodak Vision3 250D
Shaan | May 2021 | Minolta XD-11 | MD ROKKOR-X 45mm F2 | Kodak Vision3 250D
Rocky Hill Inn Gastro Pub
Rocky Hill Inn Gastro Pub | May 2021 | Minolta XD-11 | MD ROKKOR-X 45mm F2 | Kodak Vision3 250D
Red Doors, Rocky Hill
Red Doors, Rocky Hill | May 2021 | Minolta XD-11 | MD ROKKOR-X 45mm F2 | Kodak Vision3 250D
Front Porch, Rocky Hill
Front Porch, Rocky Hill | May 2021 | Minolta XD-11 | MD ROKKOR-X 45mm F2 | Kodak Vision3 250D
Source Farmhouse Brewing
Source Farmhouse Brewing | May 2021 | Minolta XD-11 | MD ROKKOR-X 45mm F2 | Kodak Vision3 250D

Author: Khürt Williams

A human who works in information security and enjoys photography, Formula 1 and craft ale. #nobridge

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