AshigrainColour negative · Vintage
Ansco Color Negative 843
Ansco's 1950s daylight negative for feature films.
Ansco's 1950s negative-positive system, Color Negative 843 printed on its companion Color Print 848, on a period daylight scene. Original vs Ashigrain.
At a glance
- Exposure index
- 16
- Daylight
- Introduced
- by 1951
- Process
- Ansco color negative process (Ansco Type 843 color developer)
About the film
Ansco, a division of General Aniline & Film Corp. in Binghamton, New York, had proposed a reversal Ansco Color process for professional motion pictures in 1945, on reversal films 735 and 732.
Ansco judged that a negative-positive system would follow black-and-white studio practice more closely, with higher speed and more latitude in exposure, processing and printing. Ansco's Herman Duerr presented the new process to the Society's convention in Hollywood on 18 October 1951, with Type 843 as its camera negative, Type 848 for release prints and Type 846 for colour dupe negatives. Once dupes, protection masters and other studio needs were solved, the negative-positive process was to replace the reversal one. Duerr said Ansco was then producing only a daylight-type negative, balanced at about 5400 K, and that a tungsten-balanced one was expected later. His paper, printed in the Journal of the SMPTE in June 1952, describes a three-layer chromogenic monopack that needs its own colour developer. The Timeline of Historical Film Colors dates its 843 entry 1952 to 1956, gives it a speed of 16 ASA in daylight and lists Arch Oboler's Bwana Devil (1952) on that entry.
Sources for this history
- The Ansco Color Negative-Positive Process (Journal of the SMPTE 58(6), June 1952, pp. 465–479), Herman H. Duerr (Ansco), Internet Archive
- Ansco Color Negative, type 843, Timeline of Historical Film Colors
The look
Ansco Color Negative 843 is a 1950s daylight colour camera negative, rated exposure index 16 and coated on a grey base for antihalation. It was the camera film of Ansco's negative-positive process for feature films. Ashigrain prints it on its companion positive, Ansco Color Print 848.
Best for
- Period colour for 1950s settings
- Daylight exteriors with a vintage palette
- Studying an early negative-positive system
Compare camera films
FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower means finer grainYears made
Gevacolor Negative T 6.51Gevacolor Negative T 6.51same speed vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 16same speed.0071951
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process IIsame speed vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 16same speed.0191922
Trucolor (two-colour)Trucolor (two-colour)same speed vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 16same speed.0191945
ORWOCOLOR UK 14ORWOCOLOR UK 14+⅓ stop vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 20+⅓ stop.0111964
Kodak Kodachrome 25Kodak Kodachrome 25+⅔ stop vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 25+⅔ stop.0141974
Agfacolor Typ 432Agfacolor Typ 432+1 stop vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 32+1 stop.0071962
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443+1⅓ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 40+1⅓ stops.0292001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · +1⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain the sameEI 50+1⅔ stops.0042011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · +1⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 50+1⅔ stops.0112007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50+1⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain the sameEI 50+1⅔ stops.0041995
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50+1⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 50+1⅔ stops.0111998
Konica Impresa 50Konica Impresa 50+1⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 50+1⅔ stops.0051998
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II+2 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 64+2 stops.0132002
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · +2 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 64+2 stops.0161974–2009
ORWOCOLOR NC 3ORWOCOLOR NC 3+2 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 64+2 stops.0071972
Polaroid Type 669Polaroid Type 669+2⅓ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 80+2⅓ stops.0231981
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · +2⅓ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 80+2⅓ stops.0131997–
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0132018–
Lucky Super GBR 100Lucky Super GBR 100+2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0052001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100+2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0052002
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · +2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0112003–12
Fujifilm Velvia 100Fujifilm Velvia 100Made since 2003, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0112003–
Kodak Ektachrome E100SKodak Ektachrome E100S+2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0151996
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100+2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0051998
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100+2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0111998
Kodak Ektachrome E100VSKodak Ektachrome E100VS+2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0171998
Fujifilm Provia 100FFujifilm Provia 100FMade since 2000, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0102000–
Gevacolor 682Gevacolor 682+2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0061979
Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)+2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0181988
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · +2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0221992–2016
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200Lomography Redscale XR 50-200+2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0052025
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0211980–
Kodak T-Max 100Kodak T-Max 100Made since 1986, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0081986–
Ilford Delta 100Ilford Delta 100Made since 1992, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0071992–
Agfa Agfapan APX 100Agfa Agfapan APX 100+2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0071998
Fomapan 100 ClassicFomapan 100 ClassicMade since 2016, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0122016–
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247+3 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 125+3 stops.0051983
Kodak Technical PanKodak Technical Pan+3 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 125+3 stops.0081977
Kodak Portra 160Kodak Portra 160Made since 2011, in production · +3⅓ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 160+3⅓ stops.0062011–
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160+3⅓ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 160+3⅓ stops.0061995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · +3⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0062010–
Kodak Verita 200DKodak Verita 200DMade since 2026, in production · +3⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0062026–
Fujifilm C200Fujifilm C200+3⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0052017
Kodak Gold 200Kodak Gold 200Made since 2007, in production · +3⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0082007–
Lucky Super GBR 200Lucky Super GBR 200+3⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0072001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200+3⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0052002
Kodak Ektachrome E200Kodak Ektachrome E200+3⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0181997
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200+3⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0141998
Kodak Kodachrome 200Kodak Kodachrome 200+3⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0271986
Harman Phoenix 200Harman Phoenix 200+3⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0072023
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · +3⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0242003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · +4 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 250+4 stops.0062009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250Fujifilm Eterna 250+4 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 250+4 stops.0052006
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · +4 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 250+4 stops.0052005–13
Kodak Vision 250DKodak Vision 250DMade 1997–2005 · +4 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 250+4 stops.0071997–2005
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · +4 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 250+4 stops.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · +4 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 250+4 stops.0131960–
ORWO Wolfen NC400ORWO Wolfen NC400+4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0052022
Kodak Portra 400Kodak Portra 400Made since 2010, in production · +4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0072010–
ORWO Wolfen NC500ORWO Wolfen NC500+4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0062022
Fujifilm Provia 400FFujifilm Provia 400F+4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0172000
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400+4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0062004
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · +4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0052004–21
Kodak Ektachrome 400XKodak Ektachrome 400X+4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0371992
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400+4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0052006
LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedLomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissed+4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0052024
Kodak Tri-X 400Kodak Tri-X 400Made since 1954, in production · +4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0171954–
Kodak T-Max 400Kodak T-Max 400Made since 2007, in production · +4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0102007–
Ilford HP5 PlusIlford HP5 PlusMade since 1989, in production · +4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0161989–
Ilford Delta 400Ilford Delta 400Made since 2002, in production · +4⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0102002–
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +5 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 500+5 stops.0072007–
Kodak 500T 5230Kodak 500T 5230+5 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 500+5 stops.0092011
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +5 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 500+5 stops.0052009–13
Kodak Vision2 500TKodak Vision2 500T+5 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 500+5 stops.0092009
Fujicolor Reala 500DFujicolor Reala 500D+5 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 500+5 stops.0052001
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+5 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 500+5 stops.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +5 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 500+5 stops.0052004–13
Anscochrome D/500Anscochrome D/500+5 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 500+5 stops.0381967
Eastman EXR 500TEastman EXR 500TMade 1989–1995 · +5 stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 500+5 stops.0081989–95
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +5⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 800+5⅔ stops.0092000–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800+5⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 800+5⅔ stops.0072004
Kodak Vision 800TKodak Vision 800T+5⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 800+5⅔ stops.0101998
Konica Centuria Super 1600Konica Centuria Super 1600+6⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 1600+6⅔ stops.0072002
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+6⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 1600+6⅔ stops.0501999
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +7⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 3200+7⅔ stops.0181988–
Ilford Delta 3200Ilford Delta 3200Made since 1998, in production · +7⅔ stops vs Ansco Color Negative 843 · grain coarserEI 3200+7⅔ stops.0191998–
Science & sources
A daylight colour camera negative rated at EI 16, shown through its companion print, Ansco Color Print 848. Its curves, spectral sensitivity and dyes are traced from Duerr's 1952 paper. Its grain and MTF come from Kodak Vision3 50D, because the paper gives only a resolving power.
Response curves and the evidence behind the model
Compare manufacturer data with Ashigrain’s response on the same axes. These curves show how the model is calibrated to its sources; they do not establish a match to photographed film.
Characteristic response
RMS granularity
Density variation (σD). Where the datasheet gives a single grain value, the response away from that point is an approximation.
| Channel | Density | Datasheet-based σD | Model σD |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | 0.3 | 0.005557 | 0.005501 |
| G | 0.3 | 0.005402 | 0.005339 |
| B | 0.3 | 0.010235 | 0.010105 |
| R | 0.6 | 0.004731 | 0.004684 |
| G | 0.6 | 0.004721 | 0.004666 |
| B | 0.6 | 0.010343 | 0.010211 |
| R | 1 | 0.004683 | 0.004636 |
| G | 1 | 0.004507 | 0.004454 |
| B | 1 | 0.008915 | 0.008802 |
| R | 1.5 | 0.003527 | 0.003492 |
| G | 1.5 | 0.004781 | 0.004725 |
| B | 1.5 | 0.008445 | 0.008338 |
| B | 2 | 0.006696 | 0.006611 |
Model limits
These images show the film model in use. Spectral response, lighting and viewing conditions include approximations. Halation, bloom, grain size, weave and flicker are not fully measured for each film. The look of real film also depends on development and print timing.
- Custom lighting spectra, camera metering and the spectral reflectance inferred from fixed-white-balance footage are assumptions used by the model, not measurements of this film.
- Colour-print timing and scan balance under arbitrary lighting are modelled. Scanner colour balance has no standard physical unit.
- The paper rates the film for daylight only and gives no tungsten exposure index. The optional conversion filters use separate measured spectra; the source does not calibrate their effect on this film.
- The paper's curves are Macbeth-Ansco integral densities, not Status M densities. Reading them on the model's Status M scale is an approximation.
- The paper gives only a resolving power, 44–48 lines/mm, and no MTF or granularity. MTF and grain are proxied from Kodak Vision3 50D (5203), so the granularity values shown are that film's.
- The film is supplied on a grey base for antihalation. Halation strength, radius, layer weights and bloom are not measured.
- Individual dye amounts, layer interactions and push/pull behaviour are approximated where the datasheet provides no calibration. Grain size is assumed; published RMS granularity does not specify dye-cloud size.
- Characteristic response outside the published exposure range is an extrapolation, not measured film data.
- It prints on Ansco Color Print 848 by default. That print's dye spectra are taken from Type 843, because the paper prints no dye curve for 848.
- The printer lamp and filter spectra and the Status A grey aim used in this preview are approximated; the source does not publish the required spectral or laboratory aim data.
Reciprocity: not modelled. Exposure time has no effect on this film.
Film guide: assumptions and practical choices
Sources
- Characteristic curves: Duerr, H. H.: The Ansco Color Negative-Positive Process. J. SMPTE 58(6), June 1952, pp. 465-479 (volume 58 scan), archive.org item journalofsociety58socirich (Prelinger Library, Journal of the SMPTE Vol. 58, Jan-Jun 1952), derivative file journalofsociety58socirich.pdf, p. 478
- Exposure index: Duerr, H. H.: The Ansco Color Negative-Positive Process. J. SMPTE 58(6), June 1952, pp. 465-479 (volume 58 scan), archive.org item journalofsociety58socirich (Prelinger Library, Journal of the SMPTE Vol. 58, Jan-Jun 1952), derivative file journalofsociety58socirich.pdf, p. 479
- Process: Duerr, H. H.: The Ansco Color Negative-Positive Process. J. SMPTE 58(6), June 1952, pp. 465-479 (volume 58 scan), archive.org item journalofsociety58socirich (Prelinger Library, Journal of the SMPTE Vol. 58, Jan-Jun 1952), derivative file journalofsociety58socirich.pdf, p. 480