Ashigrain
Try free

Colour negative · Vintage & odd

Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460

Survey-plane colour negative with no orange mask.

Try this film freeBuy · €99 + VAT

Planned media

An unmasked aerial negative. Original vs Ashigrain.

Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460

stock
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460
mode
Scan
film_format
35mm still (135)
Exposure index
250
Daylight
Introduced
by 2009
In production
Process
C-41
Prints on
Scan

About the film

Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 is a colour negative made for survey aircraft rather than handheld cameras, aimed at medium- to high-altitude mapping and reconnaissance.

Unlike pictorial colour negatives it has no orange mask, so interpreters can read the negative directly, with every object recorded in its complementary colour. Kodak rates it with an aerial film speed, EAFS or ISO A 125, and warns that aerial speeds do not match ordinary ones because aerial scenes have a shorter brightness range and more haze. Its contrast is set in processing: it runs in Kodak's AN-6 aerial process or in standard C-41, with times and temperatures that move it from low to maximum contrast. The hardened emulsion sits on a thin ESTAR base chosen for its dimensional stability, with an antihalation undercoat and a dyed-gel backing. Kodak lists geological, pollution, archaeological, crop and forestry studies, city planning, railway and highway engineering and oceanography among its uses, and recommends it for digital film recorders too. Kodak still offers it in a range of lengths and widths and credits its scratch resistance and static protection with cleaner scans.

Sources for this history
  1. KODAK AEROCOLOR IV Negative Film 2460 (KODAK Publication No. AS-2652), Eastman Kodak Company
  2. Aerial Imaging Products & Services, Eastman Kodak Company
  3. Specifications and Characteristics of KODAK Aerial Films (Publication AS-57, Revision 4/06), Eastman Kodak Company

The look

A fine-grain aerial colour negative with no orange mask, scanned by default. Kodak gives it an aerial film speed, ISO A 125, rather than an ordinary one, and its contrast is set in processing.

Planned media

Crisp colour from an aerial film.

Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460

stock
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460
mode
Scan
film_format
35mm still (135)

Planned media

Aerial-film colour in daylight.

Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460

stock
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460
mode
Scan
film_format
35mm still (135)

Best for

  1. Aerial and drone landscapes
  2. Hazy distances and long views
  3. Low-contrast cityscapes for grading

Among the films

FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower is finerYears made
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process II−4 stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain coarserEI 16−4 stops.0201922
DS-5MDS-5M−2⅔ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 40−2⅔ stops.0051979
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443−2⅔ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain coarserEI 40−2⅔ stops.0242001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · −2⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 50−2⅓ stops.0052011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · −2⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 50−2⅓ stops.0092007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50−2⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 50−2⅓ stops.0051995
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · −2 stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 64−2 stops.0121974–2009
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II−2 stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 64−2 stops.0102002
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · −1⅔ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain coarserEI 80−1⅔ stops.0151997–
Polaroid Type 669Polaroid Type 669−1⅔ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain coarserEI 80−1⅔ stops.0241981
Svema LN-9Svema LN-9−1⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 95−1⅓ stops.0071988
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · −1⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 100−1⅓ stops.0082003–12
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100−1⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 100−1⅓ stops.0121998
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100−1⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 100−1⅓ stops.0051998
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · −1⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 100−1⅓ stops.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · −1⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain coarserEI 100−1⅓ stops.0142018–
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · −1⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain coarserEI 100−1⅓ stops.0221980–
NK-2NK-2−1⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain the sameEI 100−1⅓ stops.0131980
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · −1⅓ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain coarserEI 100−1⅓ stops.0231992–2016
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247−1 stop vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 125−1 stop.0051983
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160−⅔ stop vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 160−⅔ stop.0071995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · −⅓ stop vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 200−⅓ stop.0072010–
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · −⅓ stop vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain coarserEI 200−⅓ stop.0252003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · same speed vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 250same speed.0072009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · same speed vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 250same speed.0042005–13
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · this filmEI 250this film.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · same speed vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain coarserEI 250same speed.0151960–
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · +⅔ stop vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 400+⅔ stop.0042004–21
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +1 stop vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 500+1 stop.0072007–
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+1 stop vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 500+1 stop.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +1 stop vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 500+1 stop.0042004–13
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +1 stop vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 500+1 stop.0042009–13
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +1⅔ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain finerEI 800+1⅔ stops.0082000–
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +1⅔ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain coarserEI 800+1⅔ stops.0191988–
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+2⅔ stops vs Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 · grain coarserEI 1600+2⅔ stops.0381999

Science & sources

Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460 calibration chart: OriginalKodak Aerocolor IV 2460 calibration chart: Processed
Synthetic test chart (grey ramp, ColorChecker, hue sweep, point highlights) before and after the full Ashigrain pipeline: scan branch, Super 35 4-perf, default controls, exposure +0.00 stops to match the original's mid-grey, frame 0.

A daylight colour negative aerial film without integral colour masking. Its exposure index of 250 is derived from the printed curves, because Kodak gives only an aerial film speed. It defaults to a scan.

Response curves and the evidence behind the model

Compare manufacturer data with the Ashigrain model on the same axes. This shows the calibration to source curves; comparison with photographed film is a separate question.

Characteristic response

Density against log H (lux-seconds) for channels R, G, B. R circles, G squares, B triangles, N diamonds; filled markers and solid lines are digitised, open markers and dashed lines are simulated: digitised and simulated.−4.0−3.0−2.0−1.00.01.0log H (lux-seconds)0.01.02.03.0Density

RMS granularity

RMS granularity (σD) against Density for channels R, G, B. R circles, G squares, B triangles, N diamonds; filled markers and solid lines are datasheet-based, open markers and dashed lines are simulated: datasheet-based and simulated.0.00.51.01.52.0Density0.00.0050.010.0150.02RMS granularity (σD)

Density variation (σD) measured through a 48 µm aperture. Where the datasheet gives a single grain value, the response away from that point is an approximation.

ChannelDensityDatasheet-based σDModel σD
R0.30.007120.007362
G0.30.007120.007373
B0.30.007120.007341
R0.60.010070.010411
G0.60.010070.010428
B0.60.010070.010382
R10.0130.01344
G10.0130.013462
B10.0130.013403
R1.50.0159220.016461
G1.50.0159220.016487
B1.50.0159220.016415
G20.0183850.019038
B20.0183850.018954

Model limits

These images show the film model in use. Spectral response, lighting and viewing conditions include approximations, while halation, bloom, grain size, weave and flicker are not fully measured for each film. A real film capture also depends on development and print timing.

  • Custom lighting spectra, camera metering and the spectral reflectance inferred from fixed-white-balance footage are modeled assumptions, not measurements of this film.
  • Colour-print timing and scan balance under arbitrary lighting are modeled. Scanner colour balance has no standard physical unit.
  • Aerocolor IV is rated only in aerial film speed (ISO A 100 at this development). Its exposure index of 250 is derived from the printed curves with the ISO 5800 speed rule, not published by Kodak.
  • Only a midscale neutral and a minimum-density spectrum are printed, not separate cyan, magenta and yellow dye spectra. The individual dye shapes are borrowed from Kodak Vision3 250D (5207), a proxy rather than this film's dyes.
  • The red, green and blue MTF curves are published for Process AN-6, not for the C-41 development of the characteristic curves, and start at 57–68 %; they are used as printed.
  • The source gives RMS granularity 13 × 10⁻³ at net green density 1.0 for this development. The granularity response away from that point is modeled.
  • Printer-light timing on this film can differ from the full spectral calculation by up to 0.29 printer points.
  • 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.
  • Halation strength, radius and layer weights are not quantified by the datasheet. The effect of removing antihalation and the bloom response are also approximations.
  • The default output is a scan. Scan balance has no standard unit and is modeled.
  • 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.

Film guide: assumptions and practical choices

Sources

  1. Process: KODAK AEROCOLOR IV Negative Film 2460 Technical Data, AS-2652, New 10-09, p. 1
  2. Diffuse RMS granularity: KODAK AEROCOLOR IV Negative Film 2460 Technical Data, AS-2652, New 10-09, p. 2
  3. Characteristic curves: KODAK AEROCOLOR IV Negative Film 2460 Technical Data, AS-2652, New 10-09, p. 6
  4. Exposure index: KODAK AEROCOLOR IV Negative Film 2460 Technical Data, AS-2652, New 10-09, p. 6

Bring this film into your grade.

Every film is included in one purchase, with no subscription.

€99 + VAT

Try freeBuy