I think both are very good.

DxO FilmPack has got color films as well, whereas SilverEfex Pro only got B/W films. The only thing I don't like about DxO is, that the FilmPack still is a 32 bit application (at least on the Mac). I use it as a plug-in in Aperture and if I want to open an image with FilmPack Aperture needs to restart in 32 bit mode.

You can get test versions for both applications to try them out.

Wow 2 great ways to do this. Im definitely getting the DXo film pack though. looks sweet.

aesnakes said:
Has this been done? Has anyone captured film grain from different stocks like Kodak Tmax400, 100 and others to then apply over digital images?

DXO Filmpack 3 does that.

Thanks guys, I never used Those Nik plugins before so its something that I didnt know. I thought you had to just dial in an amount but if it has presets for film stock Im happy enough to use it instead of capturing my own.

Hi aesnakes,

I haven't used or seen an X100, so I don't have clue. Silver Efex is terrific and can output any of the common B&W film stocks with any of their common and uncommon variations. It's a really good piece of software.

You could also use the Picture Control Utility in ViewNX to make some profiles to upload in your camera for your captures, but I wouldn't recommend that. You wouldn't want to box yourself into narrowing your captures that way.

Even Ansel would shoot a well processed negative and make his adjustments in post during printing.

My best,

Mike

aesnakes said:
Im more trying to create or find Film grain simulation.

So the options of choosing different film types in the NIK Silver Efex Pro software (as Mike G. suggested) doesn't quite do it for you then?

For me, it's a good "near miss" emulating some of the more popular B&W films. Are you worried about the pretty decent generic kind of OK grain patterns? IMO it is probably 80% of ideal, which is actually "good enough" for most things, but I agree its not perfect. Usually the default results are "not quite enough" or "way too much". Does that make sense?

So what to do? For one of my personal projects in 2011, I have shot film and then scan the negs. I have also scanned a few transparencies but I am not first and foremost a slide shooter ;-)

Whatever, even doing that has its issues, but once you get the workflow set up, the results are probably 90% or more of ideal. I think the files I end up with are pretty darn good. Of course, you could always just develop and print the film using a 'real' darkroom, but if that's not possible...

Hi aesnakes,

I'm sorry, I guess I'm not sure I understand the question.

My best,

Mike

Thanks for the reply Mike,

But I know how to make grain and B&W. Im more trying to create or find Film grain simulation. Like getting the grain you like from your favorite film stock. Kinda like the different simulations you get in the X100

Hi,

There are a couple of terrific plugins that do exactly this from Nik software. Silver Efex Pro 2 is the leader in B&W, although one can do quite a bit with Color Efex Pro.

Other Software has tools, too, even PaintShopPro does a terrific job with it's B&W filter.

Red Giant's PhotoLooks Builder has a number of great tools for both color and B&W to work contrast, grain, and any number of other elements to include CA from a host of choices.

If you want to do this in film work, Red Giant is an industry standard, and MovieLooks would also do similar work for video.

My best,

Mike

Has this been done? Has anyone captured film grain from different stocks like Kodak Tmax400, 100 and others to then apply over digital images? I do alot of advanced grain and CA work when merging elements in Film (movies) but Ive never heard of this being done.

Would I need to shoot on Black, 50% grey and white to get the different results if I do this myself?