The new family of KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA Color Negative Films is based on a breakthrough Unified Film Emulsion technology -- so you get remarkably
The new family of KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA Color Negative Films is based on a breakthrough Unified Film Emulsion technology -- so you get remarkably harmonious results from film to film and shoot to shoot. It doesn't matter how many different PORTRA Films you shoot -- Natural Color (NC) or Vivid Color (VC), 160 or 400 speed. Image after image, they deliver a level of consistency that sets them apart.
As Portra NC is perfect for people shots VC is perfect for domestic animal portraits.
It's fine grain and sharpness and not too over the top colour saturation makes this film tops
I've used this film for lots of things: in the studio, sports, and just casual snapshots. It has worked so well for me in every instance, that it is all that I use for colour now. The grain is especially low (I usually pull it half a stop or so), and the colours are always right on. Even though I print my own colour prints (old fashioned, in a darkroom), colour balancing only takes a test strip or two. For the amount of time saved and for the colour that it gives me, it is well worth the price.
I am a student, so I can't afford to be too picky about my film, but I'm sticking with this film every time. It develops with excellent colours when USED PROPERLY! I'm not going to lecture, but "Portra" sounds an awful lot like "portrait", which generally refers to PEOPLE. Clearly, this film is specifically designed to be a portrait film, not a landscape film. Just like you wouldn't use a hammer to cut a piece of wood, you wouldn't want to use this film to take pictures of landscapes.
Strengths:
Good colour, low grain, can be pulled just slightly. Very good for all intensive purposes.
I just found this website and have read the reviews on this film....and I have no idea what some of these guys are talking about. Looking at their reviews....I realized that they were outdoor photographers who arent even using the film for whats its made for. They should stick to their Velvia for landscapes, and I will stick to my Portra for weddings. Its a beautiful film that I have used ever since the first wedding I ever did 3 years ago. Your whites are whites, and your skin tones are skin tones. Plus, if I over-expose a dress....it is just way too easy to get that detail back. Very accident-friendly film. I've used the NC version as well....and for the gold tones in the brides hair, and for blue eyes....and for huge prints....nothing beats this film (in 35mm and 120)...except for maybe digital (hehe)
Strengths:
LOW GRAIN!!! AMAZING SKIN TONES!!!! FINALLY, WHITE DRESSES!!!!
Weaknesses:
none...unless your an outdoor person. WHY ARE YOU USING A PORTRA FILM!!!!????????
Similar Products Used:
160 nc, 400 vc, 160 nc
Customer Service:
I always get it developed at pro labs, and have had wonderful service
Rating Reviewed by: Tim Schwerdt(Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date October 23, 2003
Overall Rating 2 of 5
Value Rating 1 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review 4.00 of 5,
6 votes
Review 4 of 35
Price Paid:
$12.00
from Camera House, Melbou
Summary:
After spending some time using Fuji 35mm film through India and Singapore, I asked for a more saturated colour neg and was recommended the Kodak VC and NC. I have ran a roll of VC through my camera whilst in China and whilst the skin tones of the Chinese people was teriffic, the colour of the green country-side, the glorious blue sky and the patterned texture of the great wall are just memories. This film seems to have less saturationb than the consumer style Fujis. If you want saturation in a colour neg for outdoors, go for some standard fuji 400 for pretty good colour. If you are desperate to print big, suck in your stomach and buy colour reversal like the new Velvia 100ASA.
Strengths:
Great skin tones in most conditions - flash, low light, midday sun etc. Whites were very good and clean - this is a lovely but expensive portrait film.
Weaknesses:
Obviuosly the VC (vivid colour) is not doing what is suggested by Kodak. When are they going to make a lovely saturated col/neg for the prosumer?
Similar Products Used:
Kodak NC Most Fuji 100 and 400 Kodak gold etc. Astia, Velvia, but no Fuji Col/neg.
Just one thing--
How fair is it that 95% of these reviews for Kodak Portra NC/VC are based on outdoor landscape photographs, huh? Of course you wont get much color saturation in a PORTRAIT film, because if there was too much saturation, the skin tones would be screwed up. I'm nowhere near a pro and even I know that...
landscapes are for slide film and maybe Superia, and if you want good multi-purpose print films then go for Reala, NPZ, Royal Gold, or Supra!
Strengths:
-perfectly capable portrait film, thats what its made for! sorry if I'm offending the real pros, but seriously...
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