AshigrainColour negative · 2006 onward
ORWO Wolfen NC500
ORWO's cinema-born colour negative, without rem-jet.
ORWO Wolfen NC500 scanned flat: how the reconstructed film renders greens, skin and shadows in one daylight frame. Original vs Ashigrain.
At a glance
- Exposure index
- 400
- Daylight
- Introduced
- 2022
- Process
- C-41
- Prints on
- Scan
About the film
ORWO unveiled Wolfen NC500 on 27 May 2022, its first new colour film for decades, weeks after announcing the black-and-white Wolfen NP100.
The relaunch followed the merger earlier that year of ORWO's parent FilmoTec with InovisCoat, and ORWO said the film is made at Bitterfeld-Wolfen, on the site where film has been made since 1910. ORWO called it a limited edition and presented it as an alternative look rather than an imitation of existing films, with pronounced greens, desaturated shadows and stronger grain. Trade press reported that it is based on Agfa's XT320 colour cinema negative. Unlike cinema films it has no rem-jet backing, so it goes through ordinary C-41, and its sheet notes a flatter gradation when it is processed in ECN-2. Pre-orders opened on 1 June with shipping planned for July, but in September ORWO said production had been delayed by the assembly of its DX-coded cassettes at its Shanghai facility, and expected delivery in November. The InovisCoat data sheet, created that November, rates it ISO 400/27° on a 125 µm grey triacetate base. Kosmo Foto later described NC500 and NC400 as sharing a subdued palette that leans towards green.
Sources for this history
The look
ORWO Wolfen NC500 is a colour negative from a cinema emulsion, made for 35 mm stills without a rem-jet backing, so it goes through ordinary C-41. ORWO promised pronounced greens, desaturated shadows and stronger grain. Ashigrain renders it as a scan for your grade.
Best for
- Green-heavy, desaturated colour looks
- Gritty street and travel frames
- A cinema-negative feel from C-41
Compare camera films
FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower means finer grainYears made
Ansco Color Negative 843Ansco Color Negative 843−4⅔ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 16−4⅔ stops.0041951
Gevacolor Negative T 6.51Gevacolor Negative T 6.51−4⅔ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 16−4⅔ stops.0071951
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process II−4⅔ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 16−4⅔ stops.0191922
Trucolor (two-colour)Trucolor (two-colour)−4⅔ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 16−4⅔ stops.0191945
Kodak Kodachrome 25Kodak Kodachrome 25−4 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 25−4 stops.0141974
Agfacolor Typ 432Agfacolor Typ 432−3⅔ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 32−3⅔ stops.0071962
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443−3⅓ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 40−3⅓ stops.0292001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · −3 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0042011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · −3 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 50−3 stops.0112007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50−3 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0041995
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50−3 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 50−3 stops.0111998
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II−2⅔ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 64−2⅔ stops.0132002
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · −2⅔ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 64−2⅔ stops.0161974–2009
Polaroid Type 669Polaroid Type 669−2⅓ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 80−2⅓ stops.0231981
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · −2⅓ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 80−2⅓ stops.0131997–
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · −2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · −2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0132018–
Lucky Super GBR 100Lucky Super GBR 100−2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100−2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052002
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · −2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0112003–12
Fujifilm Velvia 100Fujifilm Velvia 100Made since 2003, in production · −2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0112003–
Kodak Ektachrome E100SKodak Ektachrome E100S−2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0151996
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100−2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0051998
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100−2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0111998
Kodak Ektachrome E100VSKodak Ektachrome E100VS−2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0171998
Fujifilm Provia 100FFujifilm Provia 100FMade since 2000, in production · −2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0102000–
Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)−2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0181988
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · −2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0221992–2016
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200Lomography Redscale XR 50-200−2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052025
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · −2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0211980–
Kodak T-Max 100Kodak T-Max 100Made since 1986, in production · −2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0081986–
Ilford Delta 100Ilford Delta 100Made since 1992, in production · −2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0071992–
Agfa Agfapan APX 100Agfa Agfapan APX 100−2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0071998
Fomapan 100 ClassicFomapan 100 ClassicMade since 2016, in production · −2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0122016–
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247−1⅔ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 125−1⅔ stops.0051983
Kodak Technical PanKodak Technical Pan−1⅔ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 125−1⅔ stops.0081977
Kodak Portra 160Kodak Portra 160Made since 2011, in production · −1⅓ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain the sameEI 160−1⅓ stops.0062011–
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160−1⅓ stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain the sameEI 160−1⅓ stops.0061995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · −1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain the sameEI 200−1 stop.0062010–
Kodak Verita 200DKodak Verita 200DMade since 2026, in production · −1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain the sameEI 200−1 stop.0062026–
Kodak Gold 200Kodak Gold 200Made since 2007, in production · −1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0082007–
Lucky Super GBR 200Lucky Super GBR 200−1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0072001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200−1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0052002
Kodak Ektachrome E200Kodak Ektachrome E200−1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0181997
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200−1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0141998
Kodak Kodachrome 200Kodak Kodachrome 200−1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0271986
Harman Phoenix 200Harman Phoenix 200−1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0072023
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · −1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0242003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · −⅔ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain the sameEI 250−⅔ stop.0062009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250Fujifilm Eterna 250−⅔ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0052006
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · −⅔ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0052005–13
Kodak Vision 250DKodak Vision 250DMade 1997–2005 · −⅔ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 250−⅔ stop.0071997–2005
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · −⅔ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 250−⅔ stop.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · −⅔ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 250−⅔ stop.0131960–
ORWO Wolfen NC400ORWO Wolfen NC400same speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052022
Kodak Portra 400Kodak Portra 400Made since 2010, in production · same speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0072010–
Fujifilm Provia 400FFujifilm Provia 400Fsame speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0172000
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400same speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain the sameEI 400same speed.0062004
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · same speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052004–21
Kodak Ektachrome 400XKodak Ektachrome 400Xsame speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0371992
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400same speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052006
LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedLomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedsame speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052024
Kodak Tri-X 400Kodak Tri-X 400Made since 1954, in production · same speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0171954–
Kodak T-Max 400Kodak T-Max 400Made since 2007, in production · same speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0102007–
Ilford HP5 PlusIlford HP5 PlusMade since 1989, in production · same speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0161989–
Ilford Delta 400Ilford Delta 400Made since 2002, in production · same speed vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0102002–
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +⅓ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 500+⅓ stop.0072007–
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +⅓ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052009–13
Kodak Vision2 500TKodak Vision2 500T+⅓ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 500+⅓ stop.0092009
Fujicolor Reala 500DFujicolor Reala 500D+⅓ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052001
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+⅓ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 500+⅓ stop.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +⅓ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052004–13
Eastman EXR 500TEastman EXR 500TMade 1989–1995 · +⅓ stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 500+⅓ stop.0081989–95
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 800+1 stop.0092000–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800+1 stop vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 800+1 stop.0072004
Konica Centuria Super 1600Konica Centuria Super 1600+2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 1600+2 stops.0072002
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+2 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 1600+2 stops.0501999
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +3 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 3200+3 stops.0181988–
Ilford Delta 3200Ilford Delta 3200Made since 1998, in production · +3 stops vs ORWO Wolfen NC500 · grain coarserEI 3200+3 stops.0191998–
Science & sources
A daylight colour negative rated at EI 400 on its sheet. It defaults to a scan. The model is reconstructed: its characteristic curves are the sheet's own, but its spectral sensitivity is rebuilt from Agfa Optima II 100, its dye shapes are borrowed from Kodak Vision3 250D, and its grain and MTF come from Fujifilm Pro 400H, because the sheet does not publish them.
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 | 0.005503 | 0.005418 |
| G | 0.3 | 0.00695 | 0.006853 |
| B | 0.3 | 0.018382 | 0.0181 |
| R | 0.6 | 0.004203 | 0.004138 |
| G | 0.6 | 0.005167 | 0.005095 |
| B | 0.6 | 0.013233 | 0.013029 |
| R | 1 | 0.004133 | 0.004069 |
| G | 1 | 0.005719 | 0.00564 |
| B | 1 | 0.01376 | 0.013548 |
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 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 characteristic curves are the sheet's own, but no spectral sensitivity is printed. It is reconstructed from the peaks and edges of Agfa Optima II 100, a proxy rather than this film's sensitivity.
- The sheet prints no 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 sheet prints no granularity or MTF. Both are proxied from Fujifilm Pro 400H, so the granularity values shown are that film's model, not measurements of NC500.
- The sheet prints a grey base and says no rem-jet is needed, so the grey base is taken as the antihalation.
- The sheet notes a flatter gradation when the film is processed in ECN-2. Only C-41 processing is 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: not modelled. Exposure time has no effect on this film.
Film guide: assumptions and practical choices
Sources
- Exposure index: Data sheet WOLFEN NC500 (ORWO / InovisCoat colour negative film), 'Datenblatt NC500 - Kopie.docx', PDF created 2022-11-18 (English text), p. 1
- Characteristic curves: Data sheet WOLFEN NC500 (ORWO / InovisCoat colour negative film), 'Datenblatt NC500 - Kopie.docx', PDF created 2022-11-18 (English text), p. 2
- Process: Data sheet WOLFEN NC500 (ORWO / InovisCoat colour negative film), 'Datenblatt NC500 - Kopie.docx', PDF created 2022-11-18 (English text), p. 2