AshigrainColour reversal · Experimental
Trucolor (two-colour)
Two-colour prints for Republic's westerns and second features.
A two-colour palette from a blue and a red dye on a sunlit western scene. A model inspired by the process, not a reproduction. Original vs Ashigrain.
At a glance
- Exposure index
- 16
- Daylight
- Introduced
- mid 1940s
- Discontinued
- Process
- Trucolor double-coated coupler print (one colour developer forms a blue dye on one side and a red dye on the other; silver bleached and fixed out)
- Prints on
- Reversal, viewed directly
About the film
Trucolor was a two-colour subtractive process owned by Consolidated Film Industries, which processed its prints for Republic Pictures, mostly for second features and westerns.
Brian Coe, quoted by the Timeline of Historical Film Colors, says it was used in 1946 for Out California Way, and the SMPE Progress Committee counted Republic features in Trucolor among the progress of 1947. By then most two-colour subtractive processes except Cinecolor were obsolete, and Trucolor was the only significant new two-colour process after the Second World War. Bipack camera negatives were printed on a safety base coated on both sides with positive emulsions that were not colour-sensitive, one holding a coupler that formed a blue dye and the other a coupler that formed a red dye in the same developer. Bleaching and fixing then removed the silver, while the sound track was a silver compound left by a special bleach treatment. In 1947 the SMPE reported a sharp rise in two-colour feature production, as such methods filled the studios' needs for westerns and other pictures not planned for three-colour work. After 1950 the Trucolor name passed to prints from modern multilayer colour films, and Coe writes that by 1954 the two-colour process was obsolete and its last printing service had closed.
Sources for this history
- Trucolor 2 color, Timeline of Historical Film Colors
- Report of SMPE Progress Committee (Journal of the SMPE 50, June 1948, pp. 523–542), Society of Motion Picture Engineers, Internet Archive
The look
Trucolor was Consolidated Film Industries' two-colour process for Republic Pictures, printed on film coated on both sides with emulsions forming a blue and a red dye. It served mostly westerns and second features from the mid 1940s. Ashigrain's version is a labelled surrogate, a model inspired by the process rather than a reproduction.
Best for
- Postwar westerns and outdoor adventure
- Two-colour pastiche of 1940s second features
- Sunlit desert and ranch scenes
Compare camera films
FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower means finer grainYears made
Ansco Color Negative 843Ansco Color Negative 843same speed vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 16same speed.0041951
Gevacolor Negative T 6.51Gevacolor Negative T 6.51same speed vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 16same speed.0071951
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process IIsame speed vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain the sameEI 16same speed.0191922
Kodak Kodachrome 25Kodak Kodachrome 25+⅔ stop vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 25+⅔ stop.0141974
Agfacolor Typ 432Agfacolor Typ 432+1 stop vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 32+1 stop.0071962
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443+1⅓ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain coarserEI 40+1⅓ stops.0292001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · +1⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 50+1⅔ stops.0042011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · +1⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 50+1⅔ stops.0112007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50+1⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 50+1⅔ stops.0041995
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50+1⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 50+1⅔ stops.0111998
Konica Impresa 50Konica Impresa 50+1⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 50+1⅔ stops.0051998
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II+2 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 64+2 stops.0132002
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · +2 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 64+2 stops.0161974–2009
Polaroid Type 669Polaroid Type 669+2⅓ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain coarserEI 80+2⅓ stops.0231981
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · +2⅓ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 80+2⅓ stops.0131997–
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0132018–
Lucky Super GBR 100Lucky Super GBR 100+2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0052001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100+2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0052002
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · +2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0112003–12
Fujifilm Velvia 100Fujifilm Velvia 100Made since 2003, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0112003–
Kodak Ektachrome E100SKodak Ektachrome E100S+2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0151996
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100+2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0051998
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100+2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0111998
Kodak Ektachrome E100VSKodak Ektachrome E100VS+2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0171998
Fujifilm Provia 100FFujifilm Provia 100FMade since 2000, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0102000–
Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)+2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0181988
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · +2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0221992–2016
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200Lomography Redscale XR 50-200+2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0052025
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain coarserEI 100+2⅔ stops.0211980–
Kodak T-Max 100Kodak T-Max 100Made since 1986, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0081986–
Ilford Delta 100Ilford Delta 100Made since 1992, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0071992–
Agfa Agfapan APX 100Agfa Agfapan APX 100+2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0071998
Fomapan 100 ClassicFomapan 100 ClassicMade since 2016, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 100+2⅔ stops.0122016–
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247+3 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 125+3 stops.0051983
Kodak Technical PanKodak Technical Pan+3 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 125+3 stops.0081977
Kodak Portra 160Kodak Portra 160Made since 2011, in production · +3⅓ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 160+3⅓ stops.0062011–
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160+3⅓ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 160+3⅓ stops.0061995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · +3⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 200+3⅔ stops.0062010–
Kodak Verita 200DKodak Verita 200DMade since 2026, in production · +3⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 200+3⅔ stops.0062026–
Kodak Gold 200Kodak Gold 200Made since 2007, in production · +3⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 200+3⅔ stops.0082007–
Lucky Super GBR 200Lucky Super GBR 200+3⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 200+3⅔ stops.0072001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200+3⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 200+3⅔ stops.0052002
Kodak Ektachrome E200Kodak Ektachrome E200+3⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 200+3⅔ stops.0181997
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200+3⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 200+3⅔ stops.0141998
Kodak Kodachrome 200Kodak Kodachrome 200+3⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0271986
Harman Phoenix 200Harman Phoenix 200+3⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 200+3⅔ stops.0072023
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · +3⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain coarserEI 200+3⅔ stops.0242003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · +4 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 250+4 stops.0062009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250Fujifilm Eterna 250+4 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 250+4 stops.0052006
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · +4 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 250+4 stops.0052005–13
Kodak Vision 250DKodak Vision 250DMade 1997–2005 · +4 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 250+4 stops.0071997–2005
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · +4 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 250+4 stops.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · +4 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 250+4 stops.0131960–
ORWO Wolfen NC400ORWO Wolfen NC400+4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0052022
Kodak Portra 400Kodak Portra 400Made since 2010, in production · +4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0072010–
ORWO Wolfen NC500ORWO Wolfen NC500+4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0062022
Fujifilm Provia 400FFujifilm Provia 400F+4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0172000
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400+4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0062004
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · +4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0052004–21
Kodak Ektachrome 400XKodak Ektachrome 400X+4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain coarserEI 400+4⅔ stops.0371992
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400+4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0052006
LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedLomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissed+4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0052024
Kodak Tri-X 400Kodak Tri-X 400Made since 1954, in production · +4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0171954–
Kodak T-Max 400Kodak T-Max 400Made since 2007, in production · +4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0102007–
Ilford HP5 PlusIlford HP5 PlusMade since 1989, in production · +4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0161989–
Ilford Delta 400Ilford Delta 400Made since 2002, in production · +4⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 400+4⅔ stops.0102002–
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +5 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 500+5 stops.0072007–
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +5 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 500+5 stops.0052009–13
Kodak Vision2 500TKodak Vision2 500T+5 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 500+5 stops.0092009
Fujicolor Reala 500DFujicolor Reala 500D+5 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 500+5 stops.0052001
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+5 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 500+5 stops.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +5 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 500+5 stops.0052004–13
Anscochrome D/500Anscochrome D/500+5 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain coarserEI 500+5 stops.0381967
Eastman EXR 500TEastman EXR 500TMade 1989–1995 · +5 stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 500+5 stops.0081989–95
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +5⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 800+5⅔ stops.0092000–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800+5⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 800+5⅔ stops.0072004
Kodak Vision 800TKodak Vision 800T+5⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 800+5⅔ stops.0101998
Konica Centuria Super 1600Konica Centuria Super 1600+6⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 1600+6⅔ stops.0072002
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+6⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain coarserEI 1600+6⅔ stops.0501999
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +7⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain finerEI 3200+7⅔ stops.0181988–
Ilford Delta 3200Ilford Delta 3200Made since 1998, in production · +7⅔ stops vs Trucolor (two-colour) · grain the sameEI 3200+7⅔ stops.0191998–
Science & sources
A two-colour model inspired by the process, not a reproduction of Trucolor. No curve, sensitivity or dye measurement exists, so every curve is generated from named assumptions guided by a 1948 SMPE report and a museum timeline; its MTF is borrowed from Kodak Vision3 50D and its grain from Kodak Ektachrome 100D.
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 | 0.007803 | 0.007669 |
| G | 0.3 | 0.005515 | 0.005404 |
| B | 0.3 | 0.009648 | 0.009629 |
| R | 0.6 | 0.014313 | 0.014067 |
| G | 0.6 | 0.01121 | 0.010985 |
| B | 0.6 | 0.022259 | 0.022215 |
| R | 1 | 0.02296 | 0.022565 |
| G | 1 | 0.019274 | 0.018886 |
| B | 1 | 0.038135 | 0.03806 |
| R | 1.5 | 0.029592 | 0.029083 |
| G | 1.5 | 0.028175 | 0.027608 |
| B | 1.5 | 0.059435 | 0.059317 |
| R | 2 | 0.030736 | 0.030207 |
| G | 2 | 0.033158 | 0.032492 |
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 two-colour model inspired by two-colour Trucolor, rather than a reproduction of the original process. The later three-colour Trucolor is a different process.
- No characteristic curve, spectral sensitivity, dye spectrum, MTF or grain measurement of Trucolor exists in the sources. Every curve is generated from named assumptions, guided by a 1948 SMPE progress report and a museum timeline entry.
- The model runs the two records in a three-layer path: the blue layer copies the second record and there is no yellow dye.
- The bipack record sensitivities, the blue and red dye shapes and the single tone curve are assumptions, chosen for a neutral grey.
- The exposure index of 16, the daylight balance and the 35 mm format are assumptions.
- The silver sound track and the softer rear record of the bipack are not modelled.
- MTF is proxied from Kodak Vision3 50D (5203) and grain from Kodak Ektachrome 100D (5294).
- 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
- Process: Timeline of Historical Film Colors entry 1294: Trucolor 2 color, Live page filmcolors.org/timeline-entry/1294/ (byte-stable across two fetches 2026-10-28), p. 1
- Reconstructed: Journal of the SMPE vol. 50 (Jan-Jun 1948), incl. Report of SMPE Progress Committee (June 1948), pp.523-542, archive.org item journalofsociety50socirich (Prelinger Library scan), file journalofsociety50socirich.pdf (derivative, 47493669 bytes), p. 550