35mm Color Film Reviews

Best 35mm Color Film Reviews: (out of 16)
PHOTOgraphic.com, PHOTOgraphic.com, Photo.net

Best 35mm Color Film: (out of 67)
Kodak High Definition, Fujicolor Superia Reala 100, Kodak Portra 160NC

Fast Answers - Best 35mm Color Film

Top Rated	What the Research Says
• Kodak High Definition (*est. $6) >> Where to buy	Reviewers say that Kodak High definition, formerly known as Kodak Royal Gold, is the best general-purpose film for the average consumer, and the 200 speed will take you from indoor birthday parties to vacation snapshots with equal success. It is also available in ISO 400 for shooting sports and action scenes. Photography enthusiasts say this fine-grain film is easy to develop, with true colors. This film works equally well in both point-and-shoot and SLR cameras, experts say. (compare prices)
• Fujicolor Superia Reala 100 (*est. $5) >> Where to buy	Professional photographers choose this film for its especially fine grain and high color saturation, which helps render beautiful outdoor landscapes and nature photographs. If you know you're going to squeeze off a few rolls of Grand Canyon scenery, Fujicolor Superia Reala 100 is your best choice. Plus, experts say this film can easily be converted to slide format. (compare prices)
• Kodak Portra 160NC (*est. $5) >> Where to buy	Kodak Portra 160NC is a top pick of experts such as Photo.net's Philip Greenspun as a good choice for weddings and portraits. Portra 160NC renders definition in skin hues as well as tones and detail in the blacks and whites of wedding fabric. It can also be used for landscapes because of the sharp grain allowing for maximum detail. Color print labs are especially familiar with developing this film. (compare prices)
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What the experts say, our analysis, and more...

Updated April 2005

In researching color film, we especially appreciated reviews at dedicated photo publications. Editors at Photographic magazine, Popular Photography and Photo.net base recommendations on rigorous testing and lifetimes of professional experience. Less helpful are opinion sites like Epinions, which combine some well-thought-out commentary with less insightful write-ups. Another opinion site, PhotographyReview.com, is more useful. Contributors here range from advanced amateur to expert.

Popular Photography also includes a chart of 83 color films. Resolution, color, sharpness, contrast, exposure latitude and ISO rating are all listed for comparison. While digital photography continues to steal market share from film-based photography, Julia Silber and Peter Kolonia say that color films continue to become more sophisticated; they "incorporate significant advancements in film technology, and together belie the notion that film has reached its evolutionary peak."

Although experts express a wide range of film preferences, they do agree on one thing—you should pass on generic films often available at your local supermarket or drugstore. Decent film is inexpensive enough that "Brand X" just isn't worth the risk. Developing costs are the same for brand names or off-brand films, and the dollar or two you save on the front end may result in substandard prints. ... Continued

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Consensus Report

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
10	Kodak Royal Gold/High Definition 200 (est. $6), 400 (est. $6)	details
6	Fujicolor Superia 100 (est. $5) , 200 (est. $5) , 400 (*est. $5)	details
3	Kodak Portra 160NC (est. $5) , 400NC (est. $5)	details
3	Agfa Ultracolor 10	-
2	Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160 (*est. $5)	-
2	Agfa Vista 100, 200, 400, 800 (*est. $2)	-
1 each	Kodak 400UC , Kodak Gold Max , Kodak Portra 800

As demonstrated in the consensus chart, reviewers clearly prefer Kodak Royal Gold (now renamed Kodak High Definition) film. Fujicolor Superia also receives a number of recommendations; this is a general-use film on par with Kodak High Definition, but it doesn't receive as many votes from reviewers as Kodak. Kodak Portra 160NC is included in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers as a good choice for weddings and portraits; Fuji Superia Reala is the best choice for landscapes.

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