First Impressions of Ektar 100

ljsegil · Oct 27, 2008

Hi, anyone out there who has had a chance to try some of the new Ektar 100 have any impressions to report? It sounds like it may be excellent for landscape type work, but how does it hold up on skin tones? Does it compare favorably with the Portra films for use on humanoids and other mobile subjects? Does 100 iso seem appropriate for regular usage?
Best,
LJS

braxus · Oct 30, 2008

I doubt this film will flatter people shots due to its extreme saturation, but I wonder how it will work under flat lighting with people?

Hopefully I'll get to test my free rolls soon enough.

Derek Lofgreen · Oct 31, 2008

Kodak's marketing and spec sheets say that it isn't good for people shooting. My understanding is that they are trying to have another film that looks like a landscape type slide film that is a negative not a positive. That way you can shoot super saturated landscapes and travel stuff and print on RA-4 paper in the darkroom easier than cibachromes. Waaaaay cheaper to print too.

So, where did you score some samples braxus?

D.

Commando303 · Nov 2, 2008

Somehow, I doubt that Kodak, right now, is very concerned about people's being able to easily use RA-4 technology...

John Shriver · Nov 2, 2008

I posted 8 scans here: http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=873329

Overall impression -- just about grainless. No sky grain when scanned in a Nikon Coolscan IV (2900 dpi). A little noise in underexposed shadows.

Intolerant of underexposure, perhaps the box speed is a little ambitious -- but I also did much of the shooting with the CV 15/4.5 lens (having fun), and I think it's really rather slower than claimed. I'm usually using Portra 400NC-3, which is definitely more forgiving.

Like neutral-balanced slide films (E100G), easy to get cold blue shadows.

Markok765 · Nov 2, 2008

How'd you guys get samples?

aluk · Nov 2, 2008

Markok765 said:
How'd you guys get samples?

I called up Kodak and asked: 1-800-242-2424 x19

That being said, I haven't actually received it yet, so we've yet to determine if it actually makes it up here (just called on Friday).

stevewillard · Nov 2, 2008

John Shriver said:
I posted 8 scans here: http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=873329

Overall impression -- just about grainless. No sky grain when scanned in a Nikon Coolscan IV (2900 dpi). A little noise in underexposed shadows.

Intolerant of underexposure, perhaps the box speed is a little ambitious -- but I also did much of the shooting with the CV 15/4.5 lens (having fun), and I think it's really rather slower than claimed. I'm usually using Portra 400NC-3, which is definitely more forgiving.

Like neutral-balanced slide films (E100G), easy to get cold blue shadows.

Nothing is free. I suspect in order for Kodak to achieve a high level of saturation, they had to give up some latitude. I suspect that the brightness range of this film will be notably less than say Portra 160 VC or NC.

Commando303 · Nov 2, 2008

Stevewillard, well, 100UC seems to be at least as fast as stated; my best results come from shooting it at 100, or maybe even 80.

braxus · Nov 6, 2008

Derek Lofgreen said:
So, where did you score some samples braxus?

D.

Same as the other poster in this thread. From Kodak at the number listed. I too have yet to get my rolls and its been well over a week and a bit. I plan on doing a test between the old 25 film and the new stuff and will post my results when I get them.

Gabe Racz · Nov 7, 2008

aluk said:
I called up Kodak and asked: 1-800-242-2424 x19

That being said, I haven't actually received it yet, so we've yet to determine if it actually makes it up here (just called on Friday).

Call soon, I just called and the person on the phone said they're running low on samples because the number got posted on some websites that aren't even related to photography and people are calling just to get free stuff.

braxus · Nov 8, 2008

Gabe Racz said:
Call soon, I just called and the person on the phone said they're running low on samples because the number got posted on some websites that aren't even related to photography and people are calling just to get free stuff.

Oh great. I can just see Ebay now. Numerous new auctions for this "FREE" sample films being sold at not free prices. I love it when the box says "Not for resale- SAMPLE" and then these people do just that. Its amazing what people will do for a quick buck these days. This all happened the last time all the new Portras came out and this is why Kodak hates giving out free samples at times. And it keeps these free rolls of being put into the hands of real photographers who want to try a roll and actually buy some later. Instead people getting these samples don't even use film or don't have a camera at all.

Tim Gray · Nov 8, 2008

I just bought some at B&H. I mean its like $5/roll so I just added 2 rolls for play around with while purchasing some other stuff.

I don't *need* free stuff that bad.

gatewaycityca · Nov 8, 2008

braxus said:
And it keeps these free rolls of being put into the hands of real photographers who want to try a roll and actually buy some later. Instead people getting these samples don't even use film or don't have a camera at all.

braxus, that really ticks me off. We want Kodak to make as much money from this as posssible, to encourage them to keep making new films. This kind of stuff just hurts everyone. You're right, some idiots probably will just get a bunch of free samples just to sell them on eBay. And it's a waste. I don't know what the answer is. I hate to say this, but maybe Kodak should just make an agreement with some photography groups, websites, and photo supply shops to give a certain number of free samples to them, and then if people want to get free samples they will have to ask for them from those places. It wouldn't be a great solution, but at least there would be a better chance that the samples would go to people who are really interested in photography and actually want to try the film.

I would gladly pay for the film. I don't need free rolls, and I don't need to rip off Kodak.

I ordered a few rolls of Ektar 100 from Freestyle Photo, but FedEx screwed up and apparently sent it to the wrong house. So now I'm still waiting

aluk · Nov 9, 2008

gatewaycityca said:
I would gladly pay for the film. I don't need free rolls, and I don't need to rip off Kodak.

Just to put in a word for us Canadians.... I am sure that we are all willing to actually buy the film, but so far, no stores up here carry it yet. On top of that, Kodak themselves don't seem to know when it will be available in Canada. In the mean time, I for one am too impatient to wait until who-knows-when, and can't really afford to buy a some trial rolls from the States (plummeting Canadian dollar + high shipping costs).... so I put in a request for a sample. It's unfortunate that the system is being abused.

gatewaycityca · Nov 9, 2008

braxus, I didn't mean it like that. The samples SHOULD go to people like you, who really do want to use it. I was just saying that it's a real shame if people who probably don't really care are just getting free samples to sell it on eBay.

I only bought something internationally once, on eBay...a lens filter from England. And their money is worth DOUBLE ours!

gatewaycityca · Nov 9, 2008

...what I meant about the people who are "ripping off Kodak" (and photographers) are the ones selling it on eBay. I haven't bothered to do a search on eBay yet to see if anyone is actually trying to do that, but it wouldn't surprise me.

braxus · Nov 9, 2008

gatewaycityca said:
...what I meant about the people who are "ripping off Kodak" (and photographers) are the ones selling it on eBay. I haven't bothered to do a search on eBay yet to see if anyone is actually trying to do that, but it wouldn't surprise me.

I've checked in the last little while and no one is selling them yet, but it won't be long when the samples start making their way out there.

Gabe Racz · Nov 13, 2008

gatewaycityca said:
braxus, I didn't mean it like that. The samples SHOULD go to people like you, who really do want to use it. I was just saying that it's a real shame if people who probably don't really care are just getting free samples to sell it on eBay.

I only bought something internationally once, on eBay...a lens filter from England. And their money is worth DOUBLE ours!

Only 1.5x ours now . . . go dollarette!

Back on subject I agree it's a shame this film will end up on Ebay. My test roll arrived yesterday. Unfortunately it's Brown Season here in Denver, I'll have to make a trip to the botanic gardens and/or butterfly pavilion with macro lenses & find some subjects suited to a film like this.

Alexander Ghaffari · Nov 13, 2008

I cruise the eBay, but I have to say that I have not seen a single roll of the new Ektar 100 for sale...ever.

I think that the idea that most people who are asking for this film lack a film camera is not true (why, it is even nonsensical), since I chatted to a nice Kodak representative who gave me a few rolls. He was more taken aback that photographers were sharing the fact they could get free samples with other photographers, but he said it in the most polite manner. He was not upset, but simply astounded at the huge interest that this film drew and found that the stock of sample film would be exhausted in several week's time as opposed to six or nine months, as previously thought.

Regardless, Kodak has to give away all boxes marked "Sample," or throw them away. As long as photographers get to use this film, it behooves Kodak to get rid of it.

Now that I got my free film, I am supporting Kodak's generosity by buying 10 more rolls. I am sure that I shall buy much more than 10 rolls in the future (especially if released in 120 format!!!).

Happy shooting!

wogster · Nov 13, 2008

Alexander Ghaffari said:
I cruise the eBay, but I have to say that I have not seen a single roll of the new Ektar 100 for sale...ever.

I think that the idea that most people who are asking for this film lack a film camera is not true (why, it is even nonsensical), since I chatted to a nice Kodak representative who gave me a few rolls. He was more taken aback that photographers were sharing the fact they could get free samples with other photographers, but he said it in the most polite manner. He was not upset, but simply astounded at the huge interest that this film drew and found that the stock of sample film would be exhausted in several week's time as opposed to six or nine months, as previously thought.

Regardless, Kodak has to give away all boxes marked "Sample," or throw them away. As long as photographers get to use this film, it behooves Kodak to get rid of it.

Now that I got my free film, I am supporting Kodak's generosity by buying 10 more rolls. I am sure that I shall buy much more than 10 rolls in the future (especially if released in 120 format!!!).

Happy shooting!

I wonder too...... If I ran into a Kodak rep, and they gave me a freebie, I would run it through one of my film cameras, lots of people who shoot only digital still have a film camera or two around, and for the processing cost on a roll of film, it's worth trying it out.
If I got 3 or 4 rolls off a rep, I would try one, if I didn't like it, I would give it to some other film users I know. If I did like it, I would put them in the bottom of the deep freeze for later use.....

Most regular film shooters are not going to pay a huge premium to get a pre-sale roll, unless their favourite film has been discontinued, and then they are more likely to be willing to pay extra to get the older film. Without getting a freebie, I can wait, maybe I'll try a roll when it comes out, if I hear a lot of good stuff about it, otherwise I have a 2 year supply of film already in the freezer.....

gatewaycityca · Nov 14, 2008

I FINALLY got my Ektar 100! I ordered a bunch of stuff from Freestyle Photo Supplies, including a few rolls of Ekar. But FedEx delivered it to the wrong house!

I called FedEx and then called I called Freestyle and they sent me another order. I got it on Wednesday. Then the funny thing is that one of my neighbors from the next block brought the other box over and said it was left at their house by mistake. I don't know why it took so long. It's weird. Maybe my neighbor didn't have a chance to bring it over until now, or maybe FedEx delivered both boxes on the same day...which would be even weirder. My address was right on both boxes. I decided to keep both and I paid Freestyle for the extra order.

Anyway...I have plenty of Ektar 100 now!

I want to take some pictures this weekend. Has anyone else had a chance to take new pictures with Ektar?

First Impressions of Ektar 100

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