Question about Kodak Gold 200

amellice · Apr 10, 2015

02Pilot said:
As others have said, too many variables to make a blanket statement, but my experience with the current Gold 200 (edge marking 200-8) and the previous generation (200-7) is that they have quite a nicely balanced, slightly warm color palette, with contrast and saturation somewhere between Ektar and Portra. I'm shooting less color film these days, but I've been really pleased with what I've seen from the current Gold 200.

That said, I've seen very different results from all color films when shot through different lenses - so different that you'd never guess they were the same emulsion unless you were told. Without knowing what sort of lens you're using (coated/uncoated, classic/modern, hood/no hood, etc.) it's difficult to know where to start.

I use Canon EF 28-105 f/4 L lens

Les Sarile · Apr 10, 2015

I have always been biased towards Kodak colors and Kodak Gold has always been a safe bet - good balance of color and contrast. Gold 200 is grainier than Gold 100 which is grainier than Ektar 100 but quite manageable even for larger print sizes.

nyoung · Apr 10, 2015

Color Shifting Neg film

That said, I've seen very different results from all color films when shot through different lenses - so different that you'd never guess they were the same emulsion unless you were told. Without knowing what sort of lens you're using (coated/uncoated, classic/modern, hood/no hood, etc.) it's difficult to know where to start.[/QUOTE]

A point I had almost forgotten in the years since I last shot color neg. If you're shooting multiple lenses and using UV/Skylight filters as lens protector/covers, make sure every filter is from the same manufacturer and of the same value or remove them before shooting (its also nice to have all lenses from the same manufacturer but that's often beyond the budget). Early on I created some rolls with crazy shifts from frame to frame and lens to lens. Very hard on the automated mini-lab which tries to make every frame color balance the same. Time consuming and a real PITA for the semi-custom hand printer as well.

nworth · Apr 13, 2015

Photo Engineer said:
I was on the design team for the first Kodacolor Gold 400. Our job, with the Gold films was to design in higher saturation by means of interimage effects, meaning purer and brighter colors. The goal was also higher contrast (about 0.7 as opposed to the pro films of 0.6).

...

PE

I've used a fair amount of Gold 200, especially when I ran short of Portra in the field. My experience exactly matches what PE says were the design goals for Gold 400. Gold 200 is considerably more saturated than Portra 160, and it has somewhat higher contrast. Overall, it is still an excellent color negative film.

cmacd123 · Apr 13, 2015

Back in the 70s we sold three brands agfa, Kodak and fuji in approximate order of colour saturation.

Each country's makers made film for the expectations of the market they were trying to serve. I would not doubt that the Gold was intended to be more saturated than the previous generation. And I would also not be surprised if it comes off as Muted compared to Superia.

I will say that Kodak often had the more accurate colour rendition.

ericdan · Apr 13, 2015

I love Gold 200.
Costs 1/4 of Portra here in Japan and the results are great.

flavio81 · Apr 14, 2015

BrianShaw said:
That a good point. Gold200 looks best through Nikkor lens.

Now I know why I wasn't enjoying Gold 200 to the max -- i should have been using NIKKOR lenses!!

RattyMouse · Apr 14, 2015

ericdan said:
I love Gold 200.
Costs 1/4 of Portra here in Japan and the results are great.

Film prices in Japan of imported film (Kodak and Ilford) are just insane.

I'm going to Japan this weekend and I'll be bringing my own film except for my Fuji needs. Film is 50% cheaper in China!

ericdan · Apr 15, 2015

Ilflord is still reasonable.
560 yen for a roll of HP5 vs 860 for tri-x

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ericdan · Apr 15, 2015

Damn. Sorry. Spoke too soon. They just raised it to 1060!!

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ericdan · Apr 15, 2015

Provia and Velvia is now cheaper than HP5!

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RattyMouse · Apr 15, 2015

ericdan said:
Damn. Sorry. Spoke too soon. They just raised it to 1060!!

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Yep, all imported films are very expensive in Japan. It's got to be a hard time to shoot film if you are a Kodak/Ilford user.

Fuji REALLY should not have dropped Neopan 400.

kb3lms · Apr 15, 2015

Gold 200 would be great if you could find it anywhere.

BrianShaw · Apr 15, 2015

kb3lms said:
Gold 200 would be great if you could find it anywhere.

Precisely correct. Once it was in every corner drug store, and now it is getting very difficult to find. A year or so ago I mail ordered some but they substituted a "similar" product claiming it to be same as Gold 200. It wasn't.

sagai · Apr 15, 2015

Now I have a Gold from end of 90ies saying "Gold" on the canister. Keep you updated

amellice · Apr 15, 2015

BrianShaw said:
Precisely correct. Once it was in every corner drug store, and now it is getting very difficult to find. A year or so ago I mail ordered some but they substituted a "similar" product claiming it to be same as Gold 200. It wasn't.

Here you go http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=kodak+gold+200&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

kb3lms · Apr 15, 2015

Here you go...

I suppose. Not that I have any problem whatsoever with B&H, but if you don't live near the place you can't just run in and grab some.

Maybe that makes it more special, IDK.

My dinosauristic qualities must be coming through but it seems to me that Kodak might have more success with their fine products (and I mean that) if you could actually find them somewhere in front of you. On the other hand, the only local general retail outlet we have is Wally-World. I can't say I really remember the last time I walked in there and actually found what I wanted unless it was groceries, pet food or underwear. Maybe it's just USA retail practices in general.

Please, back to the program already in progress.

BrianShaw · Apr 15, 2015

amellice said:
Here you go http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=kodak+gold+200&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Thanks. I'm well aware of that source, as well as another well-known NYC source... and too much of a gentleman to say who was doing the substitution. Let's just say that I only buy Gold when I can see it before I pay.

GarageBoy · Apr 15, 2015

You got some colorplus instead?

BrianShaw · Apr 15, 2015

yes... twice. It took me a while to learn that old saying: fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Jon Buffington · Apr 15, 2015

kb3lms said:
Gold 200 would be great if you could find it anywhere.

I have noticed that in the past couple of years, Walgreens only sells Fuji film and Kodak disposable cameras (no film rolls). I have also noticed other drug stores only selling Fuji. CVS will have Kodak max/gold 400 but not 200 and the price for a 3 roll pack is the same for a 4 roll pack of Fuji. Rite Aid is just severely overpriced Fuji, usually outdated (at least at my local one). Just 4 years ago I could buy plenty of gold 200, 400, 800 and B&W400cn as well as Fuji. Walmart only has Fuji. It is as if Kodak does not want to sell consumer film. I can and do buy Kodak online but sometimes I am out and about and need a couple rolls due to no access to my at home stash.

02Pilot · Apr 15, 2015

The Gold 200 was out of stock everywhere for a while, but it seems to be back now. I've gotten it recently from Freestyle and B&H, both fresh and apparently quite recent production, judging by the expiration date. The three-pack of 24-exposure rolls seems the best deal.

MattKing · Apr 15, 2015

02Pilot said:
The Gold 200 was out of stock everywhere for a while, but it seems to be back now. I've gotten it recently from Freestyle and B&H, both fresh and apparently quite recent production, judging by the expiration date. The three-pack of 24-exposure rolls seems the best deal.

Out of curiosity, does the box make any reference to Kodak Alaris, or does it still refer to Eastman Kodak or one of its subsidiaries (like Kodak Karl)?

BrianShaw · Apr 15, 2015

Well that's some good news to hear.

02Pilot said:
The Gold 200 was out of stock everywhere for a while, but it seems to be back now. I've gotten it recently from Freestyle and B&H, both fresh and apparently quite recent production, judging by the expiration date. The three-pack of 24-exposure rolls seems the best deal.

bvy · Apr 15, 2015

I miss Gold 100. Profoto XL was a nice replacement, but it's gone too.

Question about Kodak Gold 200

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