What Is Kodak Ektacolor Pro 400? Is It The Same As Portra 400?
What Is Kodak Ektacolor Pro 400?
Kodak Ektacolor Pro 400 has recently become available, leaving many photographers asking the same question:
“Is Ektacolor Pro 400 the same as Portra 400?”
The short answer is yes.
Kodak Ektacolor Pro 400 and Kodak Portra 400 are the same professional ISO 400 colour negative film stock. Same emulsion, same C-41 process, same colour reproduction, same exposure latitude. The only difference is the branding and packaging being used in different markets and distribution channels.
Why Is Kodak Using The Ektacolor Name Again?
The Ektacolor name has existed in Kodak’s professional colour negative lineup for decades. Historically, “Ektacolor” was used for Kodak professional colour negative films and printing materials long before Portra became the dominant name most film photographers recognise today.
For many years, Kodak Alaris handled the distribution and branding of Kodak still photography film products, including the Portra line, while Eastman Kodak manufactured the film itself.
Eastman Kodak has now begun directly distributing film in certain markets. As part of this shift, Kodak has reintroduced the Ektacolor branding for parts of its professional colour negative film range.
This means the same company manufacturing the film stock is now also distributing some of these products directly. While the packaging and branding may differ, the underlying film stock remains the same professional ISO 400 colour negative emulsion photographers know as Portra 400.
Why Are Some People Still Calling It Portra 400?
Portra 400 remains one of the strongest and most searched film photography brands in the world.
Because of this, many stores continue listing the film under the Portra branding, even when stock may arrive labeled as Ektacolor Pro 400.
Some retailers now reference both names together to help photographers understand that: Kodak Portra 400 and Kodak Ektacolor Pro 400 are the same professional ISO 400 colour negative film stock.
What About Ektacolor Pro 160 And Ektacolor Pro 800?
The same naming applies across other Kodak professional colour negative films as well.
Kodak Ektacolor Pro 160 and Kodak Ektacolor Pro 800 are also the same film stocks photographers know as Portra 160 and Portra 800.
Like Ektacolor Pro 400, the underlying emulsions remain unchanged:
Portra 160 / Ektacolor Pro 160 remains a fine grain, daylight-balanced professional ISO 160 colour negative film known for soft tones and high detail.
Portra 800 / Ektacolor Pro 800 remains Kodak’s professional high-speed ISO 800 colour negative film, popular for weddings, low light and night photography.
The film stock itself remains the same, with the only differences being branding and packaging used.
While the naming may have changed, the film itself has not. Kodak Ektacolor Pro 160, 400 and 800 remain the same professional colour negative films photographers have known for years as Portra 160, Portra 400 and Portra 800.
We hope this helps clear up some of the confusion around Kodak Ektacolor Pro films and the relationship to the Portra lineup. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch.
Kodak Portra 160 – 35mm colour negative film, 36 exposures
ISO 160 daylight-balanced
T-GRAIN emulsion with VISION Film Technology
Ultra-fine grain, high sharpness, exceptional edge detail
Medium saturation, low contrast, accurate neutral skin tones
Extraordinary exposure latitude — handles overexposure generously
C-41 colour negative processing
Price is per roll
Best for: portrait, wedding, fashion, studio, and outdoor shoots in good light
Kodak Portra 400 – 35mm colour negative film, 36 exposures
ISO 400 daylight-balanced C-41 process
Very fine grain with T-GRAIN emulsion
High colour saturation with low contrast
Accurate colour rendering and neutral skin tones
High sharpness and fine edge detail
Excellent latitude for over and under exposure
Pushes well — popular rated at 800 or higher
Best for: portraits, weddings, travel, and everyday shooting
Price is per roll
Kodak Portra 800 – 35mm colour negative film, 36 exposures
ISO 800 daylight-balanced C-41 process
T-GRAIN emulsion — finest grain structure available at ISO 800
Vivid colour saturation with low contrast and accurate neutral skin tones
Exceptional underexposure latitude — pushes cleanly to ISO 1600
Wide exposure latitude with extended highlight and shadow detail
Rate it at ISO 200 or 400 for best results — Portra 800 loves overexposure, rewarding you with smoother grain, lifted shadows, and luminous skin tones
We shoot ours between ISO 200 and 800 and develop normally
Best for: weddings, events, low-light portraits, indoor shooting, and fast-moving subjects