AshigrainColour negative · 1990s
Konica Impresa 50
Konica's slow professional negative, built for fine grain.
Subtle colour and smooth tonal gradation in daylight, the aims Konica set for its slow professional negative. Original vs Ashigrain.
At a glance
- Exposure index
- 50
- Daylight
- Introduced
- by 1998
- Discontinued
- Process
- C-41
- Prints on
- Scan
About the film
Konica Color Impresa 50 Professional was a daylight colour negative for prints, rated ISO 50 and made by Konica Corporation in 135 and 120.
Konica aimed it at the finest grain and sharpness, with subtle colour and tonal gradation, and balanced it for daylight, electronic flash and blue flash bulbs. Its data sheet credits the colour rendering to a technology Konica called Simulated Spectral Foundation, without explaining it. With a Wratten 80B filter it was rated ISO 16 under 3400 K photolamps, and ISO 12 with an 80A under 3200 K tungsten. It was coated on a triacetate base, processed in Konica's CNK-4 chemistry or in C-41, and needed no exposure or filter correction from 1/10,000 s to 1 s. The earliest dated evidence of the film found is that data sheet, produced as a PDF by Konica in February 1998. In January 2006 Konica Minolta, which says it made Japan's first photographic paper in 1903 and Japan's first colour film in 1940, announced that it would leave the photo business as digitisation shrank silver-halide photography, and said its colour film production would end by March 2007.
Sources for this history
- Konica Color IMPRESA 50 Professional Film Technical Data Sheet, Konica Corporation
- Konica Minolta Announces Withdrawal Plan for Camera Business and Photo Business, Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
The look
Konica Color Impresa 50 Professional is a daylight still-photo colour negative rated ISO 50, which Konica aimed at the finest grain and sharpness and at subtle colour and tonal gradation. Ashigrain shows it as a scan for your grade, with Kodak 2393 as its print pairing.
Best for
- Studio portraits by electronic flash
- Daylight landscapes with fine detail
- Product and still-life photography
Compare camera films
FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower means finer grainYears made
Ansco Color Negative 843Ansco Color Negative 843−1⅔ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain finerEI 16−1⅔ stops.0041951
Gevacolor Negative T 6.51Gevacolor Negative T 6.51−1⅔ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 16−1⅔ stops.0071951
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process II−1⅔ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 16−1⅔ stops.0191922
Trucolor (two-colour)Trucolor (two-colour)−1⅔ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 16−1⅔ stops.0191945
Kodak Kodachrome 25Kodak Kodachrome 25−1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 25−1 stop.0141974
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443−⅓ stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 40−⅓ stop.0292001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · same speed vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain finerEI 50same speed.0042011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · same speed vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 50same speed.0112007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50same speed vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain finerEI 50same speed.0041995
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50same speed vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 50same speed.0111998
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II+⅓ stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 64+⅓ stop.0132002
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · +⅓ stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 64+⅓ stop.0161974–2009
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · +⅔ stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 80+⅔ stop.0131997–
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · +1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 100+1 stop.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · +1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0132018–
Lucky Super GBR 100Lucky Super GBR 100+1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 100+1 stop.0052001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100+1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 100+1 stop.0052002
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · +1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0112003–12
Fujifilm Velvia 100Fujifilm Velvia 100Made since 2003, in production · +1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0112003–
Kodak Ektachrome E100SKodak Ektachrome E100S+1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0151996
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100+1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 100+1 stop.0051998
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100+1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0111998
Kodak Ektachrome E100VSKodak Ektachrome E100VS+1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0171998
Fujifilm Provia 100FFujifilm Provia 100FMade since 2000, in production · +1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0102000–
Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)+1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0181988
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · +1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0221992–2016
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200Lomography Redscale XR 50-200+1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 100+1 stop.0052025
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · +1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0211980–
Kodak T-Max 100Kodak T-Max 100Made since 1986, in production · +1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0081986–
Ilford Delta 100Ilford Delta 100Made since 1992, in production · +1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0071992–
Agfa Agfapan APX 100Agfa Agfapan APX 100+1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0071998
Fomapan 100 ClassicFomapan 100 ClassicMade since 2016, in production · +1 stop vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 100+1 stop.0122016–
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247+1⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 125+1⅓ stops.0051983
Kodak Technical PanKodak Technical Pan+1⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 125+1⅓ stops.0081977
Kodak Portra 160Kodak Portra 160Made since 2011, in production · +1⅔ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 160+1⅔ stops.0062011–
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160+1⅔ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 160+1⅔ stops.0061995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · +2 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 200+2 stops.0062010–
Kodak Verita 200DKodak Verita 200DMade since 2026, in production · +2 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 200+2 stops.0062026–
Kodak Gold 200Kodak Gold 200Made since 2007, in production · +2 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 200+2 stops.0082007–
Lucky Super GBR 200Lucky Super GBR 200+2 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 200+2 stops.0072001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200+2 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 200+2 stops.0052002
Kodak Ektachrome E200Kodak Ektachrome E200+2 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 200+2 stops.0181997
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200+2 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 200+2 stops.0141998
Kodak Kodachrome 200Kodak Kodachrome 200+2 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 200+2 stops.0271986
Harman Phoenix 200Harman Phoenix 200+2 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 200+2 stops.0072023
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · +2 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 200+2 stops.0242003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · +2⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 250+2⅓ stops.0062009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250Fujifilm Eterna 250+2⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 250+2⅓ stops.0052006
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · +2⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 250+2⅓ stops.0052005–13
Kodak Vision 250DKodak Vision 250DMade 1997–2005 · +2⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 250+2⅓ stops.0071997–2005
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · +2⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 250+2⅓ stops.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · +2⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 250+2⅓ stops.0131960–
ORWO Wolfen NC400ORWO Wolfen NC400+3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 400+3 stops.0052022
Kodak Portra 400Kodak Portra 400Made since 2010, in production · +3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 400+3 stops.0072010–
ORWO Wolfen NC500ORWO Wolfen NC500+3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 400+3 stops.0062022
Fujifilm Provia 400FFujifilm Provia 400F+3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 400+3 stops.0172000
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400+3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 400+3 stops.0062004
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · +3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 400+3 stops.0052004–21
Kodak Ektachrome 400XKodak Ektachrome 400X+3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 400+3 stops.0371992
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400+3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 400+3 stops.0052006
LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedLomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissed+3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 400+3 stops.0052024
Kodak Tri-X 400Kodak Tri-X 400Made since 1954, in production · +3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 400+3 stops.0171954–
Kodak T-Max 400Kodak T-Max 400Made since 2007, in production · +3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 400+3 stops.0102007–
Ilford HP5 PlusIlford HP5 PlusMade since 1989, in production · +3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 400+3 stops.0161989–
Ilford Delta 400Ilford Delta 400Made since 2002, in production · +3 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 400+3 stops.0102002–
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +3⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 500+3⅓ stops.0072007–
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +3⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 500+3⅓ stops.0052009–13
Kodak Vision2 500TKodak Vision2 500T+3⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 500+3⅓ stops.0092009
Fujicolor Reala 500DFujicolor Reala 500D+3⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 500+3⅓ stops.0052001
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+3⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 500+3⅓ stops.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +3⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain the sameEI 500+3⅓ stops.0052004–13
Anscochrome D/500Anscochrome D/500+3⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 500+3⅓ stops.0381967
Eastman EXR 500TEastman EXR 500TMade 1989–1995 · +3⅓ stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 500+3⅓ stops.0081989–95
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +4 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 800+4 stops.0092000–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800+4 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 800+4 stops.0072004
Kodak Vision 800TKodak Vision 800T+4 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 800+4 stops.0101998
Konica Centuria Super 1600Konica Centuria Super 1600+5 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 1600+5 stops.0072002
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+5 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 1600+5 stops.0501999
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +6 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 3200+6 stops.0181988–
Ilford Delta 3200Ilford Delta 3200Made since 1998, in production · +6 stops vs Konica Impresa 50 · grain coarserEI 3200+6 stops.0191998–
Science & sources
A daylight-balanced still-photo colour negative rated at ISO 50, shown as a scan. Its curves, spectral sensitivity and single visual MTF are digitised from Konica's sheet. Its grain is borrowed from Kodak Vision3 50D and its individual dye shapes from Kodak Vision3 250D, because the sheet publishes neither an RMS granularity nor separate dye curves.
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 | 0.004688 | 0.004625 |
| G | 0.3 | 0.005251 | 0.005178 |
| B | 0.3 | 0.009485 | 0.009339 |
| R | 0.6 | 0.004647 | 0.004584 |
| G | 0.6 | 0.004595 | 0.004531 |
| B | 0.6 | 0.010293 | 0.010134 |
| R | 1 | 0.003848 | 0.003797 |
| G | 1 | 0.004659 | 0.004595 |
| B | 1 | 0.008347 | 0.008219 |
| G | 1.5 | 0.00374 | 0.003688 |
| B | 1.5 | 0.008165 | 0.008039 |
| B | 2 | 0.004533 | 0.004463 |
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 sheet gives exposure indexes with Wratten 80B and 80A conversion filters but publishes no filter spectra; their transmission is modelled.
- The sheet prints no RMS granularity. Grain is proxied from Kodak Vision3 50D (5203), so the granularity values shown are that film's.
- 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 source prints one visual MTF curve, not separate red, green and blue curves. The model applies it to all three layers.
- The characteristic chart prints no log-exposure unit; lux-seconds are assumed. The spectral sensitivity is printed as relative log sensitivity with an arbitrary origin.
- The sheet's reciprocity table is recorded but not modelled.
- 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 modelled.
- 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: modelled from 1/10000 s to 10 s, following the datasheet's corrections for long and short exposures. Exposure time stops at the ends of that range.
Film guide: assumptions and practical choices
Sources
- Exposure index: Konica Color IMPRESA 50 Professional Film technical data sheet, PDF created 1998-02-24 (Microsoft Word), p. 1
- Characteristic curves: Konica Color IMPRESA 50 Professional Film technical data sheet, PDF created 1998-02-24 (Microsoft Word), p. 2
- Process: Konica Color IMPRESA 50 Professional Film technical data sheet, PDF created 1998-02-24 (Microsoft Word), p. 2