KODAK Portra 160 is the most recent incarnation of this famous line of colour negative films – it is the culmination of 130 years of Kodak emulsion making technology and it is designed to deliver the most natural contrast and colour rendition, at a medium speed and with ultra fine grain. The medium speed of Portra 160 is also useful when shooting in bright conditions where the camera provides for a maximum of only 1/500 shutter speed (such as most leaf shutters) and the film may be down rated to ISO100 with no change to processing, if desired. Naturally, this also delivers improved shadow detail. Portra films offer the finest possible grain and even greater possibilities for your final output. As the name suggests, it is perfect for portraits and, infact, it’s probably the ultimate medium to render the most delightful and natural skin tones – something that digital sensors have long struggled with. However, Portra is also very much at home in all genres of photography, where a natural look is desired, and this includes anything from landscapes to war zones.
The film displays the incredible exposure latitude associated with the very latest colour negative technology giving the photographer confidence in a variety of difficult shooting situations. As always, despite this flexibility, we always strongly advise customers to strive for the most accurate exposure possible in order to achieve the best possible negative quality, which means exposing at box speed of ISO160 or less, unless lighting conditions are unfavourable and there is no other option but to push the film to a higher speed. We generally advise against up rating the film simply for creative reasons because the look you want can more easily be achieved by first obtaining the best possible quality negative, with maximum detail (particularly shadow detail, which is compromised when pushing the film), and then refining the look in post editing.
At Ag the high volumes through our C41 processing line ensure the best possible development for Kodak Portra film. Click here to see our C41 processing page.
Click here for a review of Kodak Portra 160.
Portra 160 and 400, in 35mm and 120 formats, is only supplied by Kodak in packs of 5 rolls. At Ag our policy is only to supply film, paper and chemical products in manufacturers’ original packaging, thus we’re unable to sell single rolls of Portra.
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