 Kristin Young |
Locating Discontinued Film I have been on a hunt for Ektar 125 for eons. Can anyone tell me if it is still available ANYWHERE and how to get it or if anyone knows of a film that gets a similar color neg? I have read that it was a crazy film but I took some of the most gorgeous prints I have ever taken with that crazy film... nothing has come close. I like rich saturated reds and yellows... and that delivered. Beautiful prints in low and bright light... wow! Please help!
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Jon Close |
I believe the Ektar line became the Royal Gold/Supra line, and the 125 was changed to 100. I think High Definition 400 is all that survives of the Royal Gold line. Kodak's regular Gold 100 gives pretty saturated reds, otherwise you might try the Portra line, especially Portra 160VC and Portra 400UC.
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John A. Lind |
Kristin, Kodak Ektar 25, 125 and 1000 (in the consumer line) evolved into the Kodak Royal Gold line of films: 25, 100, 200, 400 and 1000. Sadly, nearly all of them are gone now too. All that remains are the ISO 200 and ISO 400 under the new "High Definition" name. You may not see much about the ISO 200 version, but it is available from B&H Photo Video in NYC. I used Royal Gold 100, and was sadly disappointed when it was discontinued. I found it very odd they would continue Gold 100 (under the name Bright Sun) which is horridly grainy. You might drop Kodak a letter letting them know you'd like an ISO 100 film too. I was disturbed when Royal Gold 25 (aka Ektar 25) was discontinued.
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Ron DenHollander |
Kodak sells the royal gold 100/200/400 here in Ontario at its Kodak image centres. I buy alot of it and get excellent results.
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Ken Henry |
I also used royal gold print and the older Agfa optima was really good too. Because I do critical architectural photography for money in 35mm prints 8"x12" up to 20"x30" I must use the best film available. (unless the client requests positive I use Provia). I do a lot of film testing to 8x12" prints. Gold 100 produces the sharpest prints and fine detail and texture, but I have to increase my lighting in low lighted areas to keep the grain problem down. Reala is so smooth everything is soft. Ken
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Kristin Young |
Thanks all for the responses! I would like to know if it is possible to special order Royal Gold from anywhere in Canada? Also, please fill me in on Portra? Is this a new Kodak line or another brand entirely? Thanks again!
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Jon Close |
Can't help with the Canada question, but Portra is what Kodak calls its professional line of print films.
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Tracey Lytle |
This is for Kristin. I have finally found a place to get Portra film. (portra 160 vc) I've seen results from a wedding photographer and it's excellent. It's about $11.00 (cnd) for 1 roll. I buy it from a place in Lindsay, Ontario. Maybe if you call them they can order it for you or in the least tell you from where they get it. "Kenlin Photo" (705) 324-9552. They are very pleasant to deal with. Good luck.
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Kristin Young |
I will try them out--excuse my amateur status but what is vc? I am also interested in the Fuji...I took some very Ektar-ish shots with Fuji 200 printed on Kodak paper...the colors were rich and had a very 70's Polaroid look! Thanks!
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John A. Lind |
Portra was originally released in two basic versions, "NC" and "VC." There is now a third, "UC." NC = Neutral Color VC = Vivid Color UC = Ultra Color The neutral has subdued saturation and is one of the most favored films for portraiture and weddings. Within Kodak's Portra line, VC runs second for that application, and is more often used for general work. Both NC and VC come in 160 and 400 speed. NC is very slightly finer grained than VC. There is an undesignated 800 also (no NC or VC designation). UC is very saturated and I would not recommend it for portraiture or weddings; it's more for commercial work in which highly saturated color is desired. Extreme saturation usually wreaks havoc with skin tones and this is why I wouldn't use it for portraiture or weddings. IIRC the UC is only available in ISO 400. You can find out more about Portra on Kodak's web site in the professional area. -- John
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