Why do DxO’s film simulations—specifically the Kodak 160 preset—look a bit off when applied to Asian portraiture? The results don’t quite match the combination of Capture One and RNI All Films 5 (Pro). The latter offers a wide range of film variants; when using Capture One with the Kodak 160 variant on Asian skin tones, it produces a beautiful, creamy-white complexion with a subtle pinkish blush effect—an outstanding result.
Only DxO can answer that. I suggest you ask them by submitting a support request.
Meanwhile, the obvious but unhelpful answer is “because the simulations aren’t very good.”
EDITED TO ADD:
Alternatively, the DxO simulations are accurate / true representations of how the film behaved, meaning:
- that film was never any good for Asian skin tones
- the “outstanding result” you get using alternative software is not an accurate / true representation of how the film behaved, it just happens to give an effect you like.
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Your #2 is so true. Film renderings are in the eye of the beholder. For those of us who actually shoot (or shot) film, I think DxO has done a pretty great job of finding about as close to the true film stock as one can get. The grain can get a little out of hand at times, but for the most part, pretty damn close.
Also, a calibrated high resolution monitor goes a long way to helping see the true effect…
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