Film specifications#
- Manufacturer
- ORWO
- Film
- Professional L
- Type
- Color slide film
- Speed
- 40
- Process
- ORWO 9165
- Formats
- 120, sheet film
- Base
- Polyester (PET)
- Made in
- GDR
- Status
- Discontinued
Character & history#
Professional slide film balanced for artificial light and long exposures.
Description adapted from Wikipedia’s “List of discontinued photographic films” (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Exposure guide at ISO 40#
Sunny 16 for this film: f/16 at 1/40 s in bright sun. Negative film tolerates 2–3 stops of overexposure; slide film needs accuracy within about ⅓–½ stop.
| Light | f/2 | f/4 | f/8 | f/16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV 16 · Snow / beach, bright sun | — | 1/1600 s | 1/400 s | 1/100 s |
| EV 15 · Bright sun | 1/3200 s | 1/800 s | 1/200 s | 1/50 s |
| EV 14 · Hazy sun | 1/1600 s | 1/400 s | 1/100 s | 1/25 s |
| EV 13 · Cloudy-bright | 1/800 s | 1/200 s | 1/50 s | 1/13 s |
| EV 12 · Overcast / open shade | 1/400 s | 1/100 s | 1/25 s | 1/6 s |
| EV 10 · Sunset | 1/100 s | 1/25 s | 1/6 s | 0.6 s |
| EV 8 · Bright interior | 1/25 s | 1/6 s | 0.6 s | 2.5 s |
| EV 5 · Home interior at night | 0.3 s | 1.3 s | 5 s | 20 s |
| EV 3 · City street at night | 1.3 s | 5 s | 20 s | > 1 min |
Long exposures#
Most films suffer reciprocity failure beyond about 1 second: they need more exposure than the meter says. As a rule of thumb add ⅓–1 stop for 1–10 s and 1–2 stops beyond 10 s for older emulsions; modern T-grain films (and Fuji Acros) need much less. Check the manufacturer's datasheet.
Similar films#
Other color slide film around ISO 40.
- Fujifilm Fujichrome Velvia 50 ISO 50
- Efke Color RD17 ISO 40 · disc.
- ORWO UK 17 ISO 40 · disc.
- Agfa Umkehrfilm Ultra T ISO 32 · disc.
- Foma Fomachrom D 16 ISO 32 · disc.
- Fujifilm Fujicolor Reversal Professional Tungsten Type ISO 32 · disc.
- Ilford Ilfochrome ISO 32 · disc.
- ORWO UT 16 ISO 32 · disc.
- ORWO UT 16 ISO 32 · disc.
- 3M Ferrania CR50A ISO 50 · disc.
- ADOX C 18 ISO 50 · disc.
- Agfa Agfachrome 50 RS ISO 50 · disc.
- Agfa Agfachrome 50L Professional ISO 50 · disc.
- Agfa Agfachrome 50S Professional ISO 50 · disc.
- Agfa Agfachrome RSX 50 ISO 50 · disc.
- Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50 ISO 50 · disc.
- Agfa Agfacolor/Agfachrome CT18 ISO 50 · disc.
- Ferrania Ferraniacolor Dia 28 ISO 50 · disc.
More ORWO films#
Frequently asked questions#
What ISO is ORWO Professional L?
40 — set your meter to ISO 40 for box speed.
Is ORWO Professional L still made?
No, it has been discontinued (1976–1982).
How do I develop ORWO Professional L?
ORWO 9165 process.
Is ORWO Professional L available in 35mm?
Not according to our data — formats: 120, sheet film.
Sources & licences#
- Wikipedia: List of discontinued photographic films — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources