Film Review: “Wolfen NC 400 – The Zombie Apocalypse of Sofia”
I recently took my Nikon FE for a walk around Sofia, Bulgaria, loaded with Wolfen NC 400 film, hoping for some moody European vibes. And, hey, did I get more than I bargained for. The weather was doing its best to compete with a thriller movie, providing me with a perfect canvas: cloudy skies, dull light, and enough overcast gloom to make me question if a vampire was lurking in one of the iconic buildings I was shooting. But what really hit me was the film itself.
Let’s start with the first impression. When I picked up the negatives, I thought I had stumbled upon the first reel of The Walking Dead: Sofia Edition. The colors were so muted that I was half-expecting a zombie to shuffle out from behind the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral! Even the lion statue looked like it was silently judging my film choice, its bronze eyes filled with existential dread.
But wait—it gets better. Wolfen NC 400 isn’t here to give you a bright, sunny day or technicolor dreams. This is not for happy Instagram posts! It’s here to take that overcast gloom and run with it. The low saturation really made the green domes of the cathedral pop in a subtle way, like they’d been sitting under that sky for a century, waiting for their close-up. But when it comes to skin tones… well, let’s just say I’m glad there were no humans in these shots, because they’d look like they’d survived an outbreak. The film has a weird relationship with blues and greens, leaving them sort of pale, which is awesome for moody architecture, but maybe not for your next selfie session.
Thankfully, I didn’t panic. I ran those babies through some post-production magic, primarily dropping the blacks, and—bam—the mood shifted from “post-apocalyptic thriller” to “classic European gothic.” Subtle greens, warm bricks, and a city that felt like it was holding back centuries of history, just for me to capture on film. Wolfen NC 400’s desaturated look turned into an asset. It’s almost as if the film knew what it was doing all along, while I was just along for the ride. I started to like it…
Let’s talk settings. I slapped on a +0.25 exposure compensation during the shoot, and it was a solid call. The overcast sky needed that little bump to keep the shadows from being too moody. The almost 50 years old Nikon FE worked its magic, as always, bringing out those fine details in the architecture, and let me tell you, the dynamic range on this film is decent for a supposed “zombie shooter.” Highlights were kept in check, and those midtones? Just buttery enough to work with.
Final verdict? Wolfen NC 400 is like your introverted friend who doesn’t like parties but, when coaxed out of the house, delivers sarcasm and wisdom that’ll leave you in stitches. It’s a niche film, great for capturing those slightly eerie, slightly vintage, somewhat melancholic vibes—perfect for cities like Sofia, with its rich history and overcast weather.
If you’re looking to take on your own zombie-apocalypse-themed photo walk—or just want to capture some moody, cinematic architecture—grab yourself a roll of Wolfen NC 400. Just don’t freak out when your negatives make it look like the city’s ready for an invasion.
Some sample photos are included. (Nikon FE, Wolfen NC 400, +0.25)
Top Tips for Shooting with Wolfen NC 400 Film: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse (Photographically)
So, you’ve decided to roll with Wolfen NC 400? Nice choice! If you’re ready to embrace that vintage, eerie look, here are a few survival tips for wrangling this beast of a film:
Embrace the Muted Palette
Wolfen NC 400 is like the goth kid of the film world—it’s not here for bright, sunny days. Its natural low saturation can turn dull scenes into something much more moody and cinematic. Think overcast skies, old buildings, and streets that haven’t been touched by a broom in a while. This film thrives in scenes where other films might struggle to bring depth.
Pro tip: Use it for urban landscapes, vintage cars, or architecture. Anything with texture will pop in a subtle way. Just avoid fields of flowers unless you’re okay with them looking like they’ve just survived a drought.
Watch Out for Skintones
This film does wonders for objects and architecture, but human skin tones might not be its strongest suit. The greens and blues can give people a bit of a… undead vibe. You know, if you’re going for that “fresh from the grave” look, go for it. Otherwise, maybe stick to subjects that don’t have a pulse.
Pro tip: If you absolutely must shoot portraits, try to add warmth in post-processing to help offset those cool tones. Or, just lean into the freaky vibe—Halloween shoot, anyone?
Master the Exposure Game
Wolfen NC 400 performs best when slightly overexposed, especially on cloudy days. If you’re dealing with tricky lighting, don’t hesitate to dial up your exposure compensation by +0.25 to +0.5. This helps lift the shadows and brings out details without losing the film’s characteristic moodiness.
Pro tip: Underexposing this film can make things very dark and spooky. Only do this if you’re purposefully aiming for heavy contrast and deep shadows (vampire aesthetic alert).
Work the Overcast
Cloudy days are your best friend when shooting with this film. The low contrast and diffuse light will play nicely with Wolfen NC 400’s color profile, keeping things smooth. Avoid direct, harsh sunlight unless you’re trying to make a point, because the highlights can get blown out faster than you can say “zombie apocalypse.”
Pro tip: Use this film when you’ve got moody weather—overcast skies, twilight hours, or just after it rains. The clouds will help create even lighting for your shots, enhancing that desaturated, old-world charm.
Architectural Dreamscape
This film loves buildings. Seriously, it brings out the details in stone, metal, and aged wood. You’ll see subtle textures and a softness to the colors that almost makes everything feel like a still from a classic noir film. The muted greens and browns give structures a lived-in, timeless feel.
Pro tip: For architecture, compose with strong lines and leading paths (like you did in Sofia). Wolfen NC 400 handles contrast well, so make those shapes work for you!
Don’t Be Afraid of Post-Processing
Wolfen NC 400 gives you a solid base to work with, but it’s not a “perfect out of the box” film. You might need a bit of post-production love, especially if you want to deepen the blacks or adjust those muddy skin tones. Dropping the blacks and lifting the shadows can give your photos more depth, while adjusting the warmth can bring life back to the scene (unless you like that zombie vibe, of course).
Pro tip: Try experimenting with curves and highlights in your editing software to give your photos more pop while maintaining the vintage look.
Night Photography with Caution
Wolfen NC 400 can be pushed a little if you’re looking to shoot in low light, but don’t expect it to behave like a high-ISO champ. It’ll give you some decent grain and a mysterious, dreamy quality at night, but pushing it too far will result in heavy grain and potential loss of detail.
Pro tip: Use it for night photography if you’re cool with some grain and want that old-school noir look. Neon signs, streetlights, and even dimly lit streets can take on a surreal vibe.
Lens Choice Matters
Pair this film with lenses that offer sharpness and contrast, as Wolfen NC 400 can sometimes flatten details if not shot properly. A high-contrast lens will help bring out more of the subtle textures that this film loves to highlight.
Pro tip: A 35mm or 50mm prime lens with good sharpness will do wonders in bringing out the details in architecture or close-up textures.
Bring a Friend—Your Light Meter
Wolfen NC 400 isn’t a forgiving film if you’re lazy with your exposure. Since its natural colors are on the lower saturation side, you don’t want to lose detail by underexposing too much. Use a light meter, or trust your in-camera meter, and make small adjustments as needed. As mentioned, err on the side of overexposure for those best results.
Have Fun with It
At the end of the day, Wolfen NC 400 isn’t about perfect, crystal-clear images. It’s about mood, nostalgia, and a bit of quirky charm. Don’t be afraid to experiment and embrace the film’s unique character. If your negatives look like they belong in a horror movie, you’re probably doing it right!
By following these tips, you’ll survive and thrive using Wolfen NC 400. Who knows—you might even start to love that slightly spooky, old-world charm it brings to your photos. Happy shooting!
Limited edition prints on art high quality paper are available. Contact us if interested in the next prints drop.
