Description: Maximum versatility for all cameras; ideal for compact cameras; great combination of saturation, accuracy, and sharpness for its speed. Great for sports and fast action. With great flesh tone reproduction.
Summary: I used to use this film because of its versatiliy, availability and price. On all those counts, it's a very good film. However, when enlarged beyond anything but 5 x 7, the grain intrudes. It's OK for a 400-speed film, but still coarse. Colour is fairly balanced, although there's a slightly green hue. The contrast can sometimes be bland, which, combined with the grain, can generate somewhat flat results.
All told, this film is good for most conditions and is more readily available (and inexpensive) than almost anything else. But for outdoor shots where sharpness and fine grain are desired, 100-speed films are better. (My current choice is Fujicolor Reala 100)
Summary: Point and shoot, this film is OK. SLR, this film doesn't cut it for the important shots. That's where you use the pro film, pay the price and get the great shots!
Color in this film isn't as bright and vivid as I'd like to see.
Grain is acceptable and I have blown up enlargements off the negs to 8x12 and some have come out well, others less so.
In short, it's OK film, but it doesn't wow me.
Strengths: You can get it everywhere.
Weaknesses: It doesn't make me want to run out and make it my film of choice
Similar Products Used: Portra 400VC, Portra 400UC, Kodak Hi-Def
Rating Reviewed by: Canon EOS Rules(Unregistered User)
(Casual)
Review Date July 29, 2003
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Value Rating 2 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Review 3 of 55
Price Paid:
$4.00
from Target
Summary: This film is well, OK. The color is lifelike, the grain is fine, however, that stupid blue tint still shows up, though not as much as in Kodak MAX 800. However, this film is readily available. Still, you could do better (Kodak HD 400 or Fuji Superia Xtra 400) or worse (Kodak MAX 800-yecch!).
Strengths: Adequate color, fine grain, better than MAX 800
Weaknesses: That stupid blue tint, more expensive than Fuji Superia Xtra 400 (a much better film)
Similar Products Used: Kodak MAX ISO 800, Kodak HD 400, Fuji Superia Xtra 400
Summary: I like this film for macro photography of flowers. This film's moderate grain appears to the viewer as texture of the flower if done right. Slower films tend to oversaturate flowers to the point of being unusable splotches of color. DON'T USE FOR LANDSCAPES.
Strengths: Best film for floral close-ups. Moderatge grain lends texture to flower petals.
Weaknesses: Not good for landscapes. Landscapes will be washed out and grainy.
Rating Reviewed by: Michael J Hoffman(Unregistered User)
(Expert)
Review Date March 30, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 1 to 3 months
Visitors rate this review 1.00 of 5,
2 votes
Review 5 of 55
Price Paid:
$0.00
Summary: I bought this film to see if it is as poor as many here claim; it is not. I have worked extensively with slide films so I am very careful with my exposures and settings; perhaps the exposure latitude is too narrow for some photographers and/or their equipment (i.e. p&s cameras without manual exposure control). Another probem could be how the negatives are printed, and this is the biggest variable with any color print film. To a degree, printing is subjective. I've gotten some great prints from Wal-Mart and some terrible prints from a custom lab. So, to avoid discrepancies, I print my own enlargements. Thus far, through about ten rolls, I have no complaints. Colors are vivid without being over-saturated, skin tones are accurate, grain is not noticeable (on 6X9 inch prints).
For an example of the quality of this film cut and paste the following link to your address bar:
http://www3.photosig.com/viewphoto.php?id=837488
Of all the ISO 400 color negative films I've sampled I like Kodak MAX 400 best.
Strengths: Widely Available
Good Color Rendition
Good Shadow Detail
Inexpensive
Weaknesses: None
Similar Products Used: Most Kodak pro films (Portra, Supra, etc)
Agfa Vista 400 (purple rendered as navy blue)
Fuji (haven't found one film from Fuji to my liking)
Customer Service: Haven't needed customer service per se, but Kodak's website is quite informative.
Link to this page
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