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Kodak Vision3 500T 35mm Film Test on Yashica Film Camera

I was very excited to try out the Kodak Vision3 500T film bulk rolled by Darkroom8, a photo studio in Kuala Lumpur, and the results are now here. I decided to test the film stock using my Yashica rangefinder film camera while I waited for my premium film camera to arrive. Eastman 5129 Kodak Vision3 500T 35mm film is a tungsten-balanced colour negative motion picture film for cinematic shots, low-light, streets, and creative photography.

For years, Kodak has been a trusted name in photography. The Kodak Vision3 500T 35mm is a color negative motion picture film stock that offers perfect pictures, every time. Whether you’re a professional photographer or a hobbyist, this film is sure to impress with its cinematic look. Brightness is preserved in high-contrast scenes, especially during bright light conditions. The film offers good shadow detail while producing brilliant colors and appealing tonal gradations.

One of my Facebook friends advised I use an 85B filter for daytime photography to change the blue tone. I didn’t have the 85B filter in time, but I believe it was fine since I don’t mind my outdoor shots getting bluish because it gives me the ambience I intended.

The First Test

I also had fun shooting with the Kodak Vision3 500T, a great low-light film stock. I was planning to meter the motion picture film at ASA800 as I did to my pushed Ilford HP5 film but decided to shoot at ASA 500 instead just for testing purposes only, as I wanted to try to minimize the film grain. There are limitations on my Yashica film rangefinder camera, the maximum ASA is at 1000 and max shutter speed at 1/500, so I am unable to do any exposure compensation, or push film any further, probably I need an SLR.

DX code for Kodak Vision3 500T 35mm is not available, so I have to select the ISO on my camera manually.

Eastman 5219 Kodak Vision3 500T Kuala Lumpur
Kodak Vision3 500T @ ASA500, Yashica Electro 35 GTN // Kuala Lumpur, May 2022

Here’s one of my favourite shots from the evening, captured on motion picture 35mm film. I like this photo because the dark, blue colour, mixed with the reflection from the glass, seems cinematic. This was taken at Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, in a downtown shopping district.

The Struggle of Shooting in Low Light with the Poor Man's Leica

It’s a guessing game for me, another trial and error session. I was always battling with the Yashica rangefinder camera’s manual focus and built-in light meter. I couldn’t utilise the hyperfocal distance technique because I had to focus using the rangefinder. This is what happened; it was a little different while shooting film stock since I always wanted my subjects or objects to be sharp while also avoiding wasting any film exposure.

EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022

I will use hyperfocal focusing on my digital camera but not with a film camera. I did miss out on some great moments by having to focus manually. What most street photographers do is measure the distance at which they want their subject to be sharp and adjust the focus within the distance to infinity until the subject is in focus.

I only have one roll of film left with this film stock, and I’m getting ready for my next photo session, so I’ll be testing the last roll with my premium film camera. Finger crossed and see what the quality difference is between the premium film rangefinder camera and this Poor Man’s Leica.

The First Test Results on Kodak Vision3 500T Film

Indeed, when using the Yashica Electro 35 GTN with the Kodak Vision3 500T 35mm, the photos seemed darker, with superb shadow details, saturated, and ‘contrasty‘. However, I still like the tungsten bluish tone. It was a tad dark and sombre, but do you think it looks cinematic? I’m not sure, but I think I like the street photography photos from this test. It’s not a problem in my opinion because each film stock has its own colour rendering capability. I believe it’s OK the way it is. Overall, shooting with this motion picture film stock was interesting, and I am pleased with the results produced with my Yashica Electro 35 GTN.

Kodak Vision3 500T Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 2022
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 2022

I guess the best place to shoot with the Kodak Vision3 500T is at the underground train stations, train cabins, and indoors with tungsten lighting, and bright colorful neon lights. I was trying to find leading lines in some of the sample photos. I did use the diffusion lens FX filter for this film test but seems it doesn’t bloom as much as I expected when I’m shooting with my Fujifilm X-T4. Probably I have to shoot a little overexposed for it to work. The film photography experience of shooting on the Yashica film camera and the Contax G1 with Kodak Vision3 500T is quite different.

Conclusion

Well, that’s all about it, this test shoot with Vision3 500T on my Yashica Electro 35 GTN, in my opinion, looks okay but not the best. This Yashica film camera is good to use for daylight but not for indoors with motion picture film unless you have a flash. But having flash will defeat the purpose of shooting motion picture films unless you do portraits. Correct me if I’m wrong. I tried my best not to waste film exposure and shoot very carefully. I like the bluish tungsten-balanced color though.

Happy shooting! Are you looking to shoot with this film stock too? The Kodak Vision3 500T 35mm film is bulk rolled by Darkroom8. I got it for MYR30 (estimate around USD6 per roll) and you can purchase the film stock at their official website. The good news is they do provide international shipping and film processing services as well.

Photo Gallery

Kodak Vision3 500T Bukit Bintang, May 2022
Kodak Vision3 500T BookXcess Kuala Lumpur
EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Light Capture KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Petaling Street KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Petaling Street KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - BookXcess KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - BookXcess KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - BookXcess KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - BookXcess KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Petaling Street KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Petaling Street KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Petaling Street KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Petaling Street KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
Eastman 5219 Kodak Vision3 500T Kuala Lumpur
EASTMAN 5219 - Petaling Street KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Petaling Street KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - BookXcess KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Petaling Street KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Petaling Street KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Bukit Bintang KL, May 2022
Kodak Vision3 500T Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 2022
EASTMAN 5219 - Petaling Street KL, May 2022
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