Kodak Ultra Color

[kaygee]

Hey everybody - I'm trying to see just what is up with Kodak Ultra Color and figure out if this is a problem just to me, or if everybody is experiencing it.

I love Kodak UC, but lately it seems to be harder and harder to get. Kodak's website doesn't say it's being discontinued, but I can't seem to find it at any of my regular suppliers. Online places too (since I mostly have to send away because I live in a smaller town). I primarily use Free Style Photo and Henry's, and neither of them seem to carry it, when they both used to.

Anybody else having trouble getting this film lately?

 

[donbga]

Hey everybody - I'm trying to see just what is up with Kodak Ultra Color and figure out if this is a problem just to me, or if everybody is experiencing it.

I love Kodak UC, but lately it seems to be harder and harder to get. Kodak's website doesn't say it's being discontinued, but I can't seem to find it at any of my regular suppliers. Online places too (since I mostly have to send away because I live in a smaller town). I primarily use Free Style Photo and Henry's, and neither of them seem to carry it, when they both used to.

Anybody else having trouble getting this film lately?

CalumetPhoto.com carries it according to their web site.

 

[mabman]

Which format? On Photo.net there is a thread indicating that it's been discontinued in 120, but lives on in 35mm. Can't vouch for the veracity of that statement, though.

 

[kaygee]

120 specifically I was looking for - hopefully it really hasn't been discontinued, as it doesn't indicate that on the kodak website :/.

 

[Sirius Glass]

120 specifically I was looking for - hopefully it really hasn't been discontinued, as it doesn't indicate that on the kodak website :/.

When I heard that it was discontinued in 120 I ordered 50 rolls from the main store to be sent to the Venice store. They sent me the last of there stock 55 rolls. They made me buy all 55. Yes they forced me by giving me a discount! I had to keep it from the hoarders ...

and I brought out the stock of 135 at CVS at $2/roll for 63 rolls.

I did not want the hoarders to get those either!

Steve

 

[kaygee]

When I heard that it was discontinued in 120 I ordered 50 rolls from the main store to be sent to the Venice store. They sent me the last of there stock 55 rolls. They made me buy all 55. Yes they forced me by giving me a discount! I had to keep it from the hoarders ...

Steve

Where did you hear it was being discontinued? I don't understand why I don't see anything on the kodak website, I can't be that far behind... can I?

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Ah, yup, you're behind. Apparently the 120 was quietly dropped around October of 2006, yeah, thanks for the notice Kodak. I think they put their energy towards the new Portras (my new replacement) and did'nt bother doing another run of the UC. I suspect the 35mm will run out sooner or later. I was also lucky to catch wind and put in an order for whatever my local distributor could get, so I wound up with 10 rolls of 100 and 20 rolls of 400 in 120, which I plan to save in the deep freeze for some wild fashion in the future. I also plan to gloat with glee about how awesome the film was way back when. I'm thinking around 2015 or so.

 

[kaygee]

Oh damnit - I am that behind! Well, I guess no more Kodak UC for me. I like the VC and all, but it's just not the same.

 

[jd callow]

If my memory serves me, Kodak announced that it was being discontinued because the updated versions of NC and VC made it obsolete. I have yet to use these new films. I really liked the 100 and the 400uc films, but didn't shoot enough to get a really good handle on them. They were much different than NC and I never liked VC so I'm suspicious that the new Portras are either not a replacement or have been changed. I've been assured that NC is still NC. It may be that they fixed VC and it is a suitable replacement for the UCs.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Yes, they Fixed VC. NC is still NC, lower contrast/satuation that responds well to contrasts increases in Post. VC is the winner, much more verstile and better all around. In 120 "grain" is a joke, the 160VC in 120 will tax your very best Zeiss lens. I too was a bit bummed that 120 UC is gone, but after shooting VC in 120 I'm not that sad anymore.

 

[jd callow]

The grain on UC 100 in 120 was like Reala. The new Fuji 160's in 120 also have very fine grain.
I'm glad to hear they fixed VC.

I 'm not so happy about the loss of 100T and NPL. Filtered VC/NC or 160S/C is not the same rated at 20-25 as 100T at ~64-80 and no need for a filter.

 

[Sirius Glass]

My UC 400 lives in the freezer. I go offroading in Moab Utah once a year and that is when I use the UCs. Usually on the way back from Moab, I leave at 4 AM to catch sunrise in Monument Valley. Next trip is Labor Day weekend.

Steve

 

[Nick Zentena]

How is the 400 speed VC?

 

[kaygee]

Well it sounds like i'll have to give the VC another shot - the last time I tried it was years ago, and it sounds like it's much better now. Onwards!

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Even in 35m the grain is _minimal_ with the 400VC. Thats why I said in 120 its ridiculous, and the 160VC in 120 almost looks fake. Scans great. Don't tell the digital guys its film, just tell them its a pre-release sample print from 'the new body' and you have a NDA and can't tell them..Hee Hee.

 

[JJC]

Now I'm worried that I'm behind...! I liked the old VC better than UC and thought the update was just to make finer grain. What else did they fix? Does it look more like UC now? :confused: :confused: I'm going to run out of my supply of old VC soon...

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

No, the VC doesn't look totally exactly like UC, but compared to the old version it is 'cleaner' in grain and contrast in the middle tones sections. The reds and Magentas are not as strong but the blues seem the same, and in lower contrast light it seems to have more contrast. I never really got into the 400VC in 35mm, but found it useful in 120, but with the improvements its fully replaced the UC in 35mm (both 100 and 400) and in 120 as well. I shoot 35-40 rolls a month of it.

 

[JJC]

Thanks for the description. I'll be ordering some soon.

 

[ajuk]

I thought You guys were talking about Portra UC, but am I right in assuming you are talking about what is called Elite Chrome here in the UK?

If it is that is a shame, I did use a roll once they day I went to Live8!

 

[kaygee]

I do believe Kodak Ultra Color was called Portra UC and then the name was just changed to UC.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Yeah, I was always very curious as to why Kodak started with the Portra UC name. When it came out like that I liked it straight away, giving great skin tones with the stronger color that people really responded to, doesn't make much sense to shoot low contrast/saturation (ala NPS/NPH) in Hawaii, people think that looks odd ( it does to me too). I'd used the VC in 160 and 400 in 120 and 35mm but in 35mm it was just too grainy, especially in the middle tones/skin where it was kinda unacceptable. The 160 was better in that area but I mostly need the 400, and the Portra UC 400 was just so much better. I let Kodak know it, especially when they announced they were dropping it, causing panic until they remembered to announce that it was merely dropping the 'Portra' designation. Ooops.