BnW vs Colour film

Z

zhenya

Member
I am curious as to the difference between BnW and colour
reversal film (super 8mm).

I can convert the digitized footage to BnW in post, with a fair amount of control over seperate colour channels and contrasts etc...

How large (if any) is the difference in performance between the 2 options? I assume the BnW stock will have greater latitude and dynamic
range? Is the grain also different or does it only depend on the ASA?

At the end of the day, do you think that I will achieve the same result by shooting colour, then desaturating in post rather than shooting BnW to begin with?
 
There are subtle differences that have to do with the grain.


BW films retain the silver particles, "the grain"

Color films use dyes to clump around the silver particles, then wash out the silver leaving the color dyes.

One variant is "bleach bypass" in which color film leaves in the silver in addition to the color dyes.

As for the difference in stocks, with BW you are more limited to the ASA rating of the stock. Usually with faster stock you have greater contrast.

Will you get the same result by desaturating the color stock?

Film people will say no, but digital people will say you can. It depends on how critical your eye is.

For me, there is no substitute for shooting on silver...
 
I agree.... If you are shooting digital black and white, shoot for black and white and filter accordingly. Your results will be far better.
 
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