Kodak Portra 160

zinzin

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hrst

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And we have Ektar 100 as a "new" film, so what really has happened at a time window of a few years, two films (NC and VC) have been transformed a bit - NC is now finer-grained with same saturation as before and became Portra 160, but VC is now replaced with the Ektar. I like Ektar and the fact that the differences in the products are more notable. One neutral -- purposely so -- and one saturated -- purposely so -- medium-speed color neg film is great IMO. I cannot ask for more considering the situation.

Kodak seems to make sane and reasonable decisions instead of acting randomly. And they publish clearly what they do.

The fact is that the current sales of these niche products do not allow for a large selection of almost similar products. It's better to have a clear dedication to good products than just randomly kill products without thinking about the whole portfolio.
 

benjiboy

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At least they're still making film we have to be thankful for small mercies, I was in my local pro dealers shop yesterday and he only has a couple of dozen rolls of Fuji Pro film in stock, he tells me he doesn't stock Kodak films at all any more because they're too expensive, and most of his customers don't shoot film anyway.
 
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Tim Gray

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Tom Kershaw said:
Subjectively, I've found the colour rendition and saturation of Portra 160VC more flexible compared to Ektar 100.
Click to expand...

I agree. I prefer Portra's colors (any of them) to Ektar for many subjects. On the other hand, my color goes through the scanning route, so I'm don't rely on traditional printing materials for my contrast and saturation. So I'm ok with 160NC or the new 160 (finer grain!).

I wonder if Portra 800 will get a grain makeover too?
 
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Tim Gray

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Also, it's been announced that this stuff will be available in 4x5 and 8x10, and custom sizes through Canham. That's good I guess
 

DarkMagic

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SWphoto said:
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/products/films/portra/160main.jhtml
Click to expand...

Well, then its offiocial. NC/VC are discontinued, history etc and a new compact range are her. I have used the 400 for a while, great film. Il guess Kodak have given us a winner here.

Much easyer to make profit with a few really good products tha a big range newcomers need months to understand.

The drawback with starting shooting film, is all the question about what film suit the user best. Many newbees have asked me if the really need to test all the films on the market.
 

Chazzy

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So we've lost 160NC and 160VC. No surprise, after what Kodak did with the 400 speed Portra films, but still a disappointment. It remains to be seen how much farther Kodak will carry the one-size-fits-all philosophy in the future.
 

23mjm

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Humm no 8X10 sheet size as far as I can tell! Didn't Kodak stop all manufacture of sheet film larger than 4X5?
 
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Tim Gray

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First of all, there's already a thread on this in the Product Availability forum. Secondly, on Kodak's web page (the Q&A page) it states that it will be available in 35mm, 120, 220, 4x5, and 8x10. In one press release, it was also mentioned it would be available in other sizes from Canham.
 

SWphoto

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Sanjay Sen said:
Where did you find information about 8x10 sheets? The tech pub only lists 4x5 in sheet format.
Click to expand...

British Journal of Photography:

"The new Kodak Professional Portra 160 film will be available in 35mm, 120/220, 4x5 and 8x10 sheet format from March. It will also be sold, via Canham Cameras, in larger formats.

Read more: http://www.bjp-online.com/british-j...odak-relaunches-portra-160-film#ixzz1Ec7XAnFg
Subscribe to BJP and save money. Click here to save 29% today."
 

Sanjay Sen

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Ah, I see. Interesting that they don't mention 8x10 in the tech pub. So, maybe 8x10 (and larger) sheets are now special order only via Canham?
 
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Tim Gray

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I actually don't see 4x5 mentioned in the tech sheet. Just 'Sheets' and that they will come in 10-sheet boxes. Presumably they are referring to both 4x5 and 8x10.

Look on this page:

http://www.kodak.com:80/global/en/professional/products/films/portra/160QA.jhtml?pq-path=2301065

And for those who are unwilling to click:

135-36 propack (5 rolls) Catalog# 6031959
120 propack (5 rolls) Catalog# 1808674
220 propack (5 rolls) Catalog# 8273773
10 Sheet 4 x 5 inch Catalog# 1710516
10 Sheet 8 x 10 inch Catalog# 8493751
Click to expand...
 
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Sanjay Sen

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I noticed the catalog number for 8x10, but not sure what it means at this time. BTW, the tech pub mentions 4x5 sheets on pages 3 and 4, in the sections for "Replenishment and Wash Rates" and "Print Grain Index". No corresponding mention of 8x10. I guess we'll see how it goes.
 

CGW

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Quit kvetching and just buy some!
 

Hops

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I'm guessing this 160 version will be just as pushable as the 400 version. This could be used to create higher contrast portraits, retaining the nice skin tones. Is this correct?

By what I've read, the new portra films retain a lot more shadow detail when pushed.
 
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