Classic Color Negative Film Selection Guide: Comparison of Kodak Gold / ColorPlus / Ultramax / Portra with Fujifilm

1. The microphysical distinction between civilian consumer papers and commercial professional papers

The price of a single roll of Kodak consumer rolls (Gold, ColorPlus) is two to three times different from that of professional portrait rolls (Portra). What exactly do you get for the price difference:

1. Number of emulsion coating layers and particle fineness:

• Civilian rolls are coated with classic two to three layers of silver halide. The particles are relatively thick and obvious, the color saturation is high, and the contrast is hard;
• Professional roll (Portra 160/400/800) uses Micro-Structure flat T-grain epitaxial technology and double-layer coupler microcapsules derived from Hollywood film. Even at ISO 400 sensitivity, its level of detail is close to or even surpasses many civilian ISO 100 films;

2. Dynamic range and skin tone tolerance:

• Portra has an astonishing tolerance that spans more than 12 stops. Especially when overexposed by 2~3 stops, the face of the character will not look oily and pale, but will show an oily and transparent high-end pink texture. Overexposure of civilian volumes will easily produce color casts and faults.

2. Character diagrams of the five main color negatives of Kodak and Fuji

Horizontal matrix of core features of mainstream color negative films:

3. Exposure tips for ‘overexposing one stop’ for color negative film

When shooting color negatives, the tacit principles of professional film photographers around the world are:

• Why should we actively overexpose by 1 stop (Rate at Lower ISO)? ：
• For example, you buy a roll of Kodak Portra 400 and automatically set the camera's ISO dial to ISO 200 or ISO 250 to meter the light;
• I bought a roll of Gold 200 and took the initiative to shoot at ISO 100 or 125;
• Physical Causes: Color negative film has a very low tolerance for underexposure (underexposure), and unsightly turbid noise and particles will be precipitated if the shadow is slightly underexposed; overexposure 1 can completely activate all color dye capsules to develop color. Not only do the particles become extremely fine and smooth, but the saturation and color purity reach their peak! It will still be rinsed according to the standard time during flushing, and there is no need to inform the cleaning shop.

4. Pitfall avoidance guide: Volume selection scene matching decision-making

• Photography of besties/girlfriends at noon on a sunny day: If you have enough budget, choose Portra 400; if you have limited budget, choose Kodak Gold 200 (but be careful to avoid top light, and use golden tones under the shade of trees to create a summer movie feel);
• Cloudy or cloudy: Resolutely avoid ISO 200 film (the shutter is too slow and the hand will shake easily), and replace it with Ultramax 400 or Portra 400;
• Indoor low light and no flash at night: Do not forcefully use ISO 400 color negative film (the photos will be all underexposed green waste), instead use Cinestill 800T light roll with a large aperture lens.