Kodak Portra 160 vs Portra 400 vs Portra 800 - 8K

A look at the Kodak Portra Family, in all three different speeds; Portra 160, Portra 400, and Portra 800.

Examples included are in 35mm or 6x7.

Filmed on a Nikon Z6 with the 24-70mm f/2.8S lens.

[WillemVerb]

I wasnt even aware that 8k video existed wow

[AddeDaMan]

5 years down the line and i find this video - and it’s EXACTLY what i was looking for. Thank you!

[LaynoProd]

anyone here like grain? i love grainy images which explains why my favorite roll is the Portra 800, gotta love that analog crunch :D

[jcpammy]

This was incredibly informative and the images are outstanding. I'll definitely re-watch several times and take a look at portra 160 myself!

[terrywbreedlove]

I have 5 rolls 160 NC I bought in 2002. Found them in a box in the garage and have been shooting them up for fun.

[TXGRunner]

Good video. Solid content, very good sample pix supporting the points you were making. The music was appropriate and the sound level was perfect - not too loud or overbearing as so many do early on. You were clear and understandable. Please, keep making videos.

[vernonsza]

Nice video. From what I've been reading on a few difference sites, film has what is called a nominal speed vs what is on the box. Back in the day companies would try to compete by bragging about how their film could shoot at an ever higher speed. That's what they put on the box. But the nominal speed is usually 1 or 2 stops slower than that. According to Kirk Mastin at Mastin Labs, Portra 160 should be shot at 100, Portra 400 at 320 and Portra 800 at 400. Not only do I think the colors look better, you're far less likely to screw up by underexposing. Especially with older light meters or tricky lighting situations. There are also a few videos showing the difference between over and underexposing C-41 film.

[zguy]

Yeah the grain is pretty similar between 160 and 400, it's slightly softer edged and less noticable on the 160 IMO. Also it seems to have a little more saturation

[FortunePodcast]

when you overexpose the film do you tell the lab that it's shot 1 stop over or do you let them process the film as normal?

[qwikflame]

Great video. When you shoot at the ISOs lower than what Porta is rated for, do you compensate for shutter speed/aperture in any way? Or do you meter/shoot that rated ISO?

[AdamRedmond]

A fair comparison, thoughtful commentary, AND dropbox link of examples?? Great video!

[phillean]

A really good explanation, it is pity the music is so loud it is a struggle to hear the explanation.

[azrela]

Nice breakdown of Portra. It’s far and away my favorite color film.

[john_murch]

I've been shooting a ton of Portra lately, I would agree with just about all of your comments on each film. I rate them all just as you do to get the most exposure from the shadows and I shoot in both 35mm and 120. One difference for me, I've been shooting a lot of night-time and low light work so I've been pushing Portra 800 two stops with great results as it seems to be the best film for me for pushing and working in low light. (urban scenes). I don't mind the grain I get at ISO 3200. It's not easy to commit to Portra as I live in Japan (think twice the US price!), so I need to find creative sources to buy it but it's do-able. Great portraits you posted and thanks for the video. Cheers! Edit: I believe P 400 is known to be one of the most pushable films but my local lab complains a bit when I push it 3 stops., so I push P 800 2 stops instead as per their recommendation..:)

[roywales]

Thanks for the video, I have shot 135 Portra 400 and 160 at box speed for testing. Happy with the 400 results but still waiting on the scans from 160. I have a roll of 135 800 to try still. I will consider your advice on pulling back the ISO and looking forward to more testing :)

[arockwell]

This was an immensely helpful video. I was looking for a comparison video and this one fit the bill perfectly.

[Alexratson]

Great video! I have rolls of 400 & 800 loaded up good to go for a assignment tomorrow.

It’s a nerdy little point but all of the still photo film stocks are no longer made by Eastman’s but rather Alaris.
The motion picture stocks are still under the Eastman brand

[curtiswindingjr.]

when you usually overexpose your film do you instruct the lab to pull the film or do you develop normally?

[nina-gnho]

Very informational and exactly what I was looking for! Thank you for this video!

[ARSAnalog]

8k? Well, I'm watching at 360p, nice video anyway 😊