ORWO Wolfen NC 400 was the first roll I shot with my newly acquired Olympus OM-1, and it ended up being a great introduction to both the camera and the film.

The colours are rich—especially greens—the grain has real character, and the results felt distinctive without being difficult to work with.

What is ORWO Wolfen NC 400 film?

ORWO Wolfen NC 400 is a colour negative film with an ISO of 400, produced by the historic German film manufacturer ORWO Wolfen.

According to ORWO:

“The NC400 is uniquely balanced towards greens, desaturated shadows and a more subtle grain.”

That description lines up closely with what I saw on this roll.

Colour, grain, and overall look

The first thing that stood out to me was how well this film handles greens. Garden scenes, plants, and foliage came through with depth and richness, without looking overly saturated.

Grain is noticeable but pleasing—present without overpowering the image. Combined with slightly cooler tones and softer shadows, the overall look feels nostalgic without leaning too heavily into gimmick or stylization.

It’s a film with a clear personality, but it still leaves room for the subject to come through.

Shooting Wolfen NC 400 in everyday settings

I shot a mix of exterior and interior test frames, including photos of my dog in different lighting conditions. The film handled both situations well, producing images with a cool but vibrant tone.

There’s a consistency across frames that makes the roll feel cohesive, even when lighting changes.

Landscape & architecture potential

I also used this roll to photograph spring blooms in nearby gardens. The tulips in particular stood out—the colours were bold and almost surreal without crossing into unnatural territory. I really love the moody vibe of the photos.

Based on these results, I think Wolfen NC 400 would be a strong choice for:

• Garden and floral photography

• Landscapes with lots of green

• Architectural shots that could be enhanced with a bit of drama

• Cute dogs 🙂

I’m definitely planning to shoot another roll.

The ORWO Wolfen legacy

ORWO Wolfen has a long history dating back to the early 20th century, and there’s a sense of continuity in how this film looks and feels. It doesn’t try to mimic modern colour films exactly, and that’s part of its appeal.

For photographers looking for something slightly different from mainstream stocks, Wolfen NC 400 offers a distinctive alternative.

Final thoughts on ORWO Wolfen NC 400

ORWO Wolfen NC 400 produces rich colour, pleasing grain, and a slightly cool, nostalgic look that works especially well with nature and outdoor scenes.

If you’re interested in trying a film with character—without going fully experimental—this one is well worth a roll.