Why is Portra 800 most expensive Portra?

calico · Jun 8, 2023

I've recently fallen in love with Portra 800.

I shoot it at 400 and like it better than Portra 400 shot at 400.

I'm wondering why it's so much more expensive than Portra 160, Portra 400, and Ektar 100.

Materials more expensive? Process more involved? Anyone know?

Just curious.

These are current prices at B&H for packages of five rolls:

Portra 160 - $55
Portra 400 - $59
Portra 800 - $76
Ektar 100 - $59

Chan Tran · Jun 8, 2023

They always charge more for speed. I used Portra 800 once. I use portra 160 insstead.

Sirius Glass · Jun 8, 2023

As @Chan Tran said the price has always been higher. I only use it when I have to, but it is only one f stop faster.

pentaxuser · Jun 8, 2023

Yes but wasn't the OP's question: Why is it more expensive?

Any ideas

pentaxuser

Sirius Glass · Jun 8, 2023

pentaxuser said:
Yes but wasn't the OP's question: Why is it more expensive?

Any ideas

pentaxuser

The answer is deeply hidden in post #2. It is more costly to make. The demand for it, partially driven by cost, is less, therefore by supply and demand the price gets increased.

MattKing · Jun 8, 2023

Volume, volume, volume.
I expect as well that there is more commonality between the components of the 160 and 400 versions of Portra. Thus more similar pricing.
Based on some other information I've received on other films, I understand it to be more complex (expensive) to make faster films - all else being equivalent.

Chan Tran · Jun 8, 2023

Speed is always more expensive although not always more desirable. When I was a kid I could only afford Plus-X. Never could afford Tri-X.

calico · Jun 8, 2023

Chan Tran said:
They always charge more for speed. I used Portra 800 once. I use portra 160 insstead.

In b&w, five rolls of Tmax 100 is $57, whereas Tmax 400 is $46. Trix 400 is $50. So apparently greater speed not always more expensive. I haven't checked all color film prices.

Bronson Dugnutt · Jun 9, 2023

TMax P3200 trichromes aren't any less expensive but are much more inconvenient. Unless you're talking 120 film, in which case TMax 3200 isn't an option.

M-88 · Jun 9, 2023

calico said:
In b&w, five rolls of Tmax 100 is $57, whereas Tmax 400 is $46. Trix 400 is $50. So apparently greater speed not always more expensive. I haven't checked all color film prices.

I don't know. packs of 4x5 Tmax 100 go for 170$ on BH, while same format Tmax 400 costs 200$. Single 35 mm rolls of both cost the same (11$) in 36-exposure rolls, but in 24-exposure rolls Tmax 400 is 1$ more expensive than Tmax 100. And there's a 10$ difference between 100 ft bulk rolls, again, Tmax 400 being the pricier one.

Seems to me that only 120 format Tmax films are oddly priced (just like you said - 57$ for Tmax 100 and 46 for Tmax 400).

eli griggs · Jun 9, 2023

Would the price increase of the 400 speed b&w films be a direct result of a greater density of silver materials?

Helge · Jun 9, 2023

Keeping ability on the shelf is also a factor. Fast film goes bad faster.

Marcelo Paniagua · Jun 9, 2023

calico said:
In b&w, five rolls of Tmax 100 is $57, whereas Tmax 400 is $46. Trix 400 is $50. So apparently greater speed not always more expensive. I haven't checked all color film prices.

I believe price is related to multiple factors. Sure, TMAX 400 cost more to produce but If demand is high enough (TMAX 100 vs TMAX 400) the higher production cost of 400 could be offset by its high demand. Many people (myself included) uses more 400 than 100 in b/w, which mean some TMAX 100 may be left on the shelf and hit the expiration date, so many of those rolls could be end up on the bargain bin, which need to be taken into account for the price. Just now, l saw a recent near expiring sale for TMAX 100 on my email.

I believe the inverse apply to color film. People get attracted by b/w for it artistic results, while many of those that seek color photos have a better alternative in digital so they got the option of a fast exposure on a digital camera or getting Portra.

calico · Jun 10, 2023

Sounds like there are many factors which might contribute to the high price of Portra 800. Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Marcelo Paniagua · Jun 10, 2023

calico said:
Sounds like there are many factors which might contribute to the high price of Portra 800. Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Right or wrong, you ain't leaving this forum without an answer

benjiboy · Jun 11, 2023

Have you tried shooting Portra 400 at iso 200 ?.

Sirius Glass · Jun 11, 2023

benjiboy said:
Have you tried shooting Portra 400 at iso 200 ?.

What does that have to do with costs? It will bring out some shadow details though.

Lachlan Young · Jun 12, 2023

It contains extra couplers etc to enable it to push well - they only kick in beyond the 3:15 mark.

benjiboy · Jun 13, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
What does that have to do with costs? It will bring out some shadow details though.

According to the O.P a considerable cost advantage, iso 400 Portra $16 a roll cheaper than i.s.o 800.

lantau · Jun 13, 2023

Marcelo Paniagua said:
I believe price is related to multiple factors. Sure, TMAX 400 cost more to produce but If demand is high enough (TMAX 100 vs TMAX 400) the higher production cost of 400 could be offset by its high demand. Many people (myself included) uses more 400 than 100 in b/w, which mean some TMAX 100 may be left on the shelf and hit the expiration date, so many of those rolls could be end up on the bargain bin, which need to be taken into account for the price. Just now, l saw a recent near expiring sale for TMAX 100 on my email.

It might have to do with the backing paper for TMX. It took them a long time to get it working. And it might be more expensive to source.

Sirius Glass · Jun 13, 2023

benjiboy said:
According to the O.P a considerable cost advantage, iso 400 Portra $16 a roll cheaper than i.s.o 800.

I have frozen Portra 800, but if I do not need to shoot a whole roll, I use Portra 400 and either let the latitude handle it or shoot it at 800 and develop it normally.

jmrochester · Jun 13, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
I have frozen Portra 800, but if I do not need to shoot a whole roll, I use Portra 400 and either let the latitude handle it or shoot it at 800 and develop it normally.

Freezing Portra 800 does not protect it from ambient radiation and consequent grain.

Sirius Glass · Jun 13, 2023

jmrochester said:
Freezing Portra 800 does not protect it from ambient radiation and consequent grain.

I have been freezing film [color, black & withe and infrared] since 2003 and I have never had a problem. When I worked at Kodak, I was told that it was good to freeze all film.

Welcome to ~~APUG~~ Photrio!!

jmrochester · Jun 13, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
I have been freezing film [color, black & withe and infrared] since 2003 and I have never had a problem. When I worked at Kodak, I was told that it was good to freeze all film.

Welcome to ~~APUG~~ Photrio!!

I was development project manager for one of the more recent Kodak 800 formulations. You received bad information. There's all kinds of info available on this subject.

MattKing · Jun 13, 2023

jmrochester said:
I was development project manager for one of the more recent Kodak 800 formulations. You received bad information. There's all kinds of info available on this subject.

Welcome to Photrio.

Why is Portra 800 most expensive Portra?

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