AshigrainColour reversal · Experimental
ORWOCOLOR UK 14
East German colour slides and home movies.
An Eastern-bloc home movie on a lamp-lit reversal film, neutral under tungsten lamps, with a weaving 16 mm frame. A surrogate built on Agfa RSX II 100 for an assumed 3400 K lamp. Original vs Ashigrain.
At a glance
- Exposure index
- 20
- Tungsten
- Introduced
- by 1964
- Process
- ORWO 9160
- Prints on
- Reversal, viewed directly
About the film
ORWOCOLOR UK 14 was a colour reversal film for artificial light from VEB Filmfabrik Wolfen in the German Democratic Republic: UK stands for Umkehr-Kunstlicht, reversal for artificial light, and 14 for its speed of 14 DIN. The 1964 ORWO general catalogue lists it for colour slides taken under special incandescent photographic lamps, exposed like a 14 DIN black-and-white negative, with duplicates possible from the slides.
It came in 135 cassettes of 36 and 20 exposures, a 12-exposure cassette for the Penti camera and roll films, and for cine in 16 mm, double-8 and 8 mm. In the cine sizes it was processed to a single projection-ready positive, an original rather than a print. ORWO's processing manual assigns it to reversal process 9160, with a first development, a second exposure and colour development. The Wolfen industrial and film museum holds a UK 14 box it dates to 1964, stamped to be exposed by July 1966, with an aluminium can holding a 36-exposure cassette, an instruction leaflet and an envelope for mailing the film to a laboratory. Its label, in German, English and French, marks it for slides at 14 DIN, 20 ASA. Its daylight sister in the same catalogue entry was ORWOCOLOR UT 16.
Sources for this history
- Gesamtkatalog Fotochemische Erzeugnisse (1964), VEB Filmfabrik Wolfen, Internet Archive
- Verarbeitung von ORWOCOLOR-Materialien – Rezepte, VEB Filmfabrik Wolfen, Internet Archive
- Kleinbildfilm Orwocolor UK 14 (21 February 2025 capture), Industrie- und Filmmuseum Wolfen, museum-digital
The look
ORWOCOLOR UK 14 was a 1960s colour reversal film from VEB Filmfabrik Wolfen for slides and home movies under photographic lamps, rated 14 DIN. Ashigrain's version is a labelled surrogate, a model inspired by the film rather than a reproduction, built on Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100.
Best for
- Eastern-bloc 1960s home movies
- Lamp-lit family slides
- Standard 8 and double-8 pastiche
Compare camera films
FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower means finer grainYears made
Ansco Color Negative 843Ansco Color Negative 843−⅓ stop vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 16−⅓ stop.0041951
Gevacolor Negative T 6.51Gevacolor Negative T 6.51−⅓ stop vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 16−⅓ stop.0071951
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process II−⅓ stop vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 16−⅓ stop.0191922
Trucolor (two-colour)Trucolor (two-colour)−⅓ stop vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 16−⅓ stop.0191945
Kodak Kodachrome 25Kodak Kodachrome 25+⅓ stop vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 25+⅓ stop.0141974
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443+1 stop vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 40+1 stop.0292001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · +1⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 50+1⅓ stops.0042011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · +1⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain the sameEI 50+1⅓ stops.0112007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50+1⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 50+1⅓ stops.0041995
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50+1⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain the sameEI 50+1⅓ stops.0111998
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II+1⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 64+1⅔ stops.0132002
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · +1⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 64+1⅔ stops.0161974–2009
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · +2 stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 80+2 stops.0131997–
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · +2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 100+2⅓ stops.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · +2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅓ stops.0132018–
Lucky Super GBR 100Lucky Super GBR 100+2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 100+2⅓ stops.0052001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100+2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 100+2⅓ stops.0052002
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · +2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain the sameEI 100+2⅓ stops.0112003–12
Fujifilm Velvia 100Fujifilm Velvia 100Made since 2003, in production · +2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain the sameEI 100+2⅓ stops.0112003–
Kodak Ektachrome E100SKodak Ektachrome E100S+2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅓ stops.0151996
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100+2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 100+2⅓ stops.0051998
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100+2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain the sameEI 100+2⅓ stops.0111998
Kodak Ektachrome E100VSKodak Ektachrome E100VS+2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅓ stops.0171998
Fujifilm Provia 100FFujifilm Provia 100FMade since 2000, in production · +2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 100+2⅓ stops.0102000–
Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)+2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅓ stops.0181988
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · +2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅓ stops.0221992–2016
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200Lomography Redscale XR 50-200+2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 100+2⅓ stops.0052025
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · +2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅓ stops.0211980–
Kodak T-Max 100Kodak T-Max 100Made since 1986, in production · +2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 100+2⅓ stops.0081986–
Ilford Delta 100Ilford Delta 100Made since 1992, in production · +2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 100+2⅓ stops.0071992–
Agfa Agfapan APX 100Agfa Agfapan APX 100+2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 100+2⅓ stops.0071998
Fomapan 100 ClassicFomapan 100 ClassicMade since 2016, in production · +2⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 100+2⅓ stops.0122016–
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247+2⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 125+2⅔ stops.0051983
Kodak Technical PanKodak Technical Pan+2⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 125+2⅔ stops.0081977
Kodak Portra 160Kodak Portra 160Made since 2011, in production · +3 stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 160+3 stops.0062011–
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160+3 stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 160+3 stops.0061995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · +3⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 200+3⅓ stops.0062010–
Kodak Verita 200DKodak Verita 200DMade since 2026, in production · +3⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 200+3⅓ stops.0062026–
Kodak Gold 200Kodak Gold 200Made since 2007, in production · +3⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 200+3⅓ stops.0082007–
Lucky Super GBR 200Lucky Super GBR 200+3⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 200+3⅓ stops.0072001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200+3⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 200+3⅓ stops.0052002
Kodak Ektachrome E200Kodak Ektachrome E200+3⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅓ stops.0181997
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200+3⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅓ stops.0141998
Kodak Kodachrome 200Kodak Kodachrome 200+3⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅓ stops.0271986
Harman Phoenix 200Harman Phoenix 200+3⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 200+3⅓ stops.0072023
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · +3⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 200+3⅓ stops.0242003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · +3⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 250+3⅔ stops.0062009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250Fujifilm Eterna 250+3⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 250+3⅔ stops.0052006
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · +3⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 250+3⅔ stops.0052005–13
Kodak Vision 250DKodak Vision 250DMade 1997–2005 · +3⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 250+3⅔ stops.0071997–2005
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · +3⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 250+3⅔ stops.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · +3⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 250+3⅔ stops.0131960–
Kodak Portra 400Kodak Portra 400Made since 2010, in production · +4⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 400+4⅓ stops.0072010–
Fujifilm Provia 400FFujifilm Provia 400F+4⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅓ stops.0172000
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400+4⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 400+4⅓ stops.0062004
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · +4⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 400+4⅓ stops.0052004–21
Kodak Ektachrome 400XKodak Ektachrome 400X+4⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅓ stops.0371992
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400+4⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 400+4⅓ stops.0052006
LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedLomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissed+4⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 400+4⅓ stops.0052024
Kodak Tri-X 400Kodak Tri-X 400Made since 1954, in production · +4⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅓ stops.0171954–
Kodak T-Max 400Kodak T-Max 400Made since 2007, in production · +4⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 400+4⅓ stops.0102007–
Ilford HP5 PlusIlford HP5 PlusMade since 1989, in production · +4⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 400+4⅓ stops.0161989–
Ilford Delta 400Ilford Delta 400Made since 2002, in production · +4⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 400+4⅓ stops.0102002–
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +4⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 500+4⅔ stops.0072007–
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +4⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 500+4⅔ stops.0052009–13
Kodak Vision2 500TKodak Vision2 500T+4⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 500+4⅔ stops.0092009
Fujicolor Reala 500DFujicolor Reala 500D+4⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 500+4⅔ stops.0052001
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+4⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 500+4⅔ stops.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +4⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 500+4⅔ stops.0052004–13
Anscochrome D/500Anscochrome D/500+4⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 500+4⅔ stops.0381967
Eastman EXR 500TEastman EXR 500TMade 1989–1995 · +4⅔ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 500+4⅔ stops.0081989–95
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +5⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 800+5⅓ stops.0092000–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800+5⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 800+5⅓ stops.0072004
Konica Centuria Super 1600Konica Centuria Super 1600+6⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain finerEI 1600+6⅓ stops.0072002
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+6⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 1600+6⅓ stops.0501999
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +7⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 3200+7⅓ stops.0181988–
Ilford Delta 3200Ilford Delta 3200Made since 1998, in production · +7⅓ stops vs ORWOCOLOR UK 14 · grain coarserEI 3200+7⅓ stops.0191998–
Science & sources
A labelled surrogate inspired by the film, not a reproduction of UK 14. No measurement of it is published, so its curves, spectral sensitivity, dyes, MTF and grain are those of Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100, with the curves moved for 14 DIN and the sensitivity rebalanced for an assumed 3400 K lamp. Its positive image is shown directly, without a print stage.
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 | 0.005479 | 0.005432 |
| G | 0.3 | 0.003551 | 0.003517 |
| B | 0.3 | 0.006656 | 0.006584 |
| R | 0.6 | 0.010865 | 0.010771 |
| G | 0.6 | 0.007092 | 0.007024 |
| B | 0.6 | 0.016018 | 0.015846 |
| R | 1 | 0.016794 | 0.016649 |
| G | 1 | 0.011294 | 0.011186 |
| B | 1 | 0.026698 | 0.026411 |
| R | 1.5 | 0.024479 | 0.024269 |
| G | 1.5 | 0.01798 | 0.017807 |
| B | 1.5 | 0.041597 | 0.04115 |
| R | 2 | 0.029164 | 0.028913 |
| G | 2 | 0.025078 | 0.024837 |
| B | 2 | 0.059021 | 0.058387 |
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.
- This is a labelled surrogate inspired by ORWOCOLOR UK 14, rather than a reproduction of it. No characteristic curve, spectral sensitivity, dye spectrum, MTF or grain measurement of the film is published.
- The characteristic curves, spectral sensitivity, dyes, MTF and grain are the named proxy Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100, a later E-6-compatible film, not ORWO's 1960s dyes and reversal process 9160.
- The 14 DIN rating is taken as an ISO speed: the proxy's curves are moved 0.70 log H slower, an assumption.
- The catalogue names only photographic lamps. A 3400 K photoflood is assumed, and the proxy's sensitivity is offset per layer so that this lamp exposes each layer as daylight exposes the proxy.
- The model renders tungsten films under its 3200 K design light, so a grey exposed under the assumed 3400 K lamp renders slightly blue.
- The antihalation layer is not described; the proxy's undercoat is assumed.
- 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.
- Push and pull have no published curves for this film and use a generic model.
- Characteristic response outside the published exposure range is an extrapolation, not measured film data.
- The available sources do not measure veiling flare during projection. The model approximates its contribution to lifted blacks on screen, so the result is not a measured projection contrast.
Reciprocity: not modelled. Exposure time has no effect on this film.
Film guide: assumptions and practical choices
Sources
- Characteristic curves: Agfa Professional Films, Technical Data PF, Technical Data PF, 09/1998, 1st edition, p. 9
- Exposure index: Kleinbildfilm Orwocolor UK 14 (Industrie- und Filmmuseum Wolfen, museum-digital:sachsen-anhalt object 15220), Wayback Machine capture 20250221163924 of st.museum-digital.de/object/15220, p. 1
- Process: ORWOCOLOR Rezepte (1960s, archive.org OCR text), 1966 edition, p. 13