This can be off-putting and annoying, especially if you don’t notice it until after you’ve had your images developed. While many editing software programs include an Auto Color Cast Correction feature, it doesn’t seem to work well for images shot with this film. At box speed the texture is fine with just a touch of grit, and offers a gradual tonal gradient in the midtones that most film emulsions only dream of. NEW in 120 format, this is genius move from Kodak as we think the emulsion is perfectly suited as a significantly different alternative to the more refined Portra 160 and 400. If you fancy playing around and creating your own vintage-style shots, this affordable film is the best choice.

I’m sure there are charts and graphs and more technical terms for all of this but I’ll speak in basic terms, because that’s all I know. Being a consumer-grade film also means that it has a wide exposure latitude—plenty of room for mistakes. Regarding bracketing a roll of film, does that mean that, for a roll with box speed of 200, I rate one shot at box speed, one at 100, and another at 400?When we were checking out this film in preparation for our film review, we were so impressed with the bright, saturated colors you get. Budget: local variations will apply - and the Kodak film shortage has made comparisons difficult around the world - but you would expect Ultramax to cost between 10-25% more per roll than Gold. In terms of spectral sensitivity, Kodak Gold sees a much greater loss of spectral sensitivity between the color forming layers than the professional films like Portra and Ektar.

When I asked him for a spec sheet for Pro Image 100, he responded with “No, and that’s actually not a professional film. This means setting the ISO on your camera or light meter to a different number than what the box (box speed) tells you to do. By purchasing anything using these links, Casual Photophile may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

But for those who have been around the black-and-white block a couple of times, Double X is a uniquely rewarding option.

Additionally, due to the fine grain structure, this film is well-suited for scanning or enlarging your photographs. Ultramax 400’s more pronounced grain structure is arranged in a pleasing way, and its color rendition (to my taste) is much more balanced than Kodak Gold. This means if you want to shoot it under tungsten or florescent lights indoors, you’ll need to add a filter or do some color correcting in post.

Portra 160 has become a favorite of wedding photographers, portrait photographers, and photographers who generally prefer a gentler, even dreamier image. Ultramax 400 sounds like it would be a good deal for just about everybody, but for whatever reason, that just isn’t the case. Unlike digital where when you change your ISO, you actually change the sensitivity of the sensor; in film, when you change your ISO you only change the way your meter reads the light.