EmailBest Reviewed
35mm Color Film
- Best general-purpose film Kodak High Definition *Est. $6
- Best professional-grade film Fujicolor Superia Reala 100 *Est. $7
- Best film for portraits Kodak Portra 160NC *Est. $4
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Best film for portraits
- Best for portraits
- Especially good for wedding clothes
- Flattering glow on faces
- Good but not optimal on landscapes
- Some user reviews say colors are flat
Professional and user reviews say Kodak Portra 160NC is a top choice for a 35mm color film for portraits. Experts say it reproduces skin colors in a flattering, "glowing" way, capturing tones well in indoor light. Reviews say Kodak Portra 160NC is great for weddings because it reproduces the black and white fabrics in great detail. The NC refers to "natural color." Kodak also offers an "ultra-color" (UC) and "vivid color" (VC). Some user reviews indicate dissatisfaction with the color saturation, but that is not the norm in professional reviews. Kodak Portra 160NC has a sharp enough grain that it can be used for landscapes, but reviews say Fujicolor Superia Reala 100 offers the best fidelity for outdoor nature and landscape photography, especially in natural light.
We found the best reviews at Photo.net because there's a good frame of reference and high expertise. Popular Photography describes 83 films but doesn't rate them. We found good reviews in PHOTOgraphic magazine. We found knowledgeable user reviews at PhotographyReviews.com. Consumer Reports doesn't cover 35mm film, focusing instead on digital photography.
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Our Sources
1. Photo.net
Reviewer Philip Greenspun discusses better print films as well as films to be avoided. He praises Kodak Portra 160NC for excellent sharpness and color saturation.
Review: Film Recommendations, Philip Greenspun
Although this chart won't tell you what film is best, it will help you determine what film is most likely to meet your needs. Kodak Portra 160NC produces "extremely accurate skin tones, excellent tonality."
Review: 83 Color Films Compared, Julia Silber and Peter Kolonia, Aug. 2003
3. PHOTOgraphic.comDetails/Subscribe
Defunct PHOTOgraphic, since absorbed by Shutterbug, includes Kodak Portra 160NC & VC among those best for portraits.
Review: A Guide to 35mm Films, Editors of PHOTOgraphic, Jan. 2003
4. PHOTOgraphic.comDetails/Subscribe
Defunct PHOTOgraphic, since absorbed by Shutterbug, simply lists ten films from slowest to fastest, among them Kodak Portra 400VC.
Review: 30 Great 35mm Films, Jack and Sue Drafahl, May 2005
5. Photo TechniquesDetails/Subscribe
Professional photographer and author Ctein, who is known for his articles on darkroom technique, discusses nearly a dozen print films that he has field-tested, including Kodak Portra 160NC and VC.
Review: Professional Color Negative Films, Ctein, Jan/Feb 2001
About two dozen user reviews give Kodak Portra 160NC an extremely high average score. There are some complaints about low color saturation.
Review: Fujifilm Fujicolor Reala 100 Reviews, Contributors to PhotographyReview.com
