Camera Dojo

Kodak Portra 160: what it looks like and when to use it

The short answer

Kodak Portra 160 is a daylight-balanced ISO 160 color negative film (C-41) sold in 35mm, 120 and sheet sizes, and a 36-exposure 35mm roll costs $13.99 to $17.99 at US camera shops (October 2026).

Reviewers and owners single out its natural skin tones, very fine grain and soft, accurate color, and Kodak calls its exposure latitude wide. The trade-off is speed: it wants bright daylight or flash, and underexposed frames in dim light come out muddy.

Speed
ISO 160
Process
C-41
Formats
35mm, 120 and sheet
Print Grain Index
28 (4x6 from 35mm)
See sample photosWhat shooters say

Built from 148 opinions from 40 pages and videos. Not yet tested by Camera Dojo. Updated .

A 35mm cartridge of Kodak Professional Portra 160 color negative film with the leader pulled out, on a plain white background
Photo: El Grafo, CC BY-SA 4.0

The short version

Portra 160 is the slowest and least saturated of Kodak's three Portra films, and Kubus Photo calls its grain the finest in the family. Portrait, wedding and studio photographers buy it for skin, and landscape shooter Alex Burke used it on 4x5 for a high-contrast sunset scene. Since March 2026 Eastman Kodak has also sold Ektacolor Pro 160, which a lab says is the same emulsion, often for less. If you shoot in mixed or fading light, Kodak Portra 400 is the safer single roll.

Good fit if

  • You shoot portraits, weddings or fashion in daylight or with studio flash.
  • You want the finest grain in the Portra family, especially on 120 or sheet film.
  • You like soft, natural color with medium saturation and low contrast.
  • You shoot bright, contrasty scenes and want to keep detail in both highlights and shadows.

Think twice if

  • You shoot indoors, at dusk or on gray days without flash. Portra 400 or 800 gives you more speed.
  • You want punchy, saturated landscapes. Reviewers point to Kodak Ektar 100 for that.
  • You are new to film: Kubus Photo, a Brooklyn lab, calls ISO 160 too limiting for most beginners.
  • You want a gritty, lo-fi look. Digital Camera World's reviewer warns lo-fi fans might find it a trifle dull.

Photos shot on Kodak Portra 160

Photos shot on Kodak Portra 160 in 35mm and 120, shared under free licenses on Wikimedia Commons.

What owners and reviewers say, topic by topic

We sorted 148 opinions about the Portra 160 from 40 pages and videos on 30 websites and channels. Each row shows how many people raised a topic and how many of them were positive. Open a row to read short quotes, each linked to its source.

Most of these opinions come from blogs, editorial reviews, film labs and YouTube. Reddit, B&H, Lomography and photo.net pages could not be read, so everyday owner voices are thinner than we'd like. Several reviewers sell film or run labs (The Darkroom, Parallax Photographic, Carmencita, Kubus Photo, Long Weekend, Analogue Wonderland), Decaf Journal's Nicklaus Walter accounts for several opinions across four reviews, and Digital Camera World reviewed the Ektacolor Pro 160 box, which The Darkroom says is the same emulsion. No source discussed halation on Portra 160, so that topic is missing.

  1. Exposure latitude78% positiveof 23

    Most praise how it holds highlight and shadow detail, and many rate it at ISO 100 or overexpose slightly. A minority, including Carmencita Film Lab and Bad Photography, found it less forgiving than Portra 400 and say it needs careful metering.

  2. Color63% positiveof 19

    Most reviewers describe soft, accurate, slightly warm color with less saturation than Portra 400 and 800. The mixed voices find it too muted for vivid landscapes and nature, one owner says it turns too warm in snow, and Parallax found a golden-hour 120 roll more vibrant than Portra 400.

  3. Low light and night16% positiveof 19

    The clear weak spot: most say ISO 160 needs bright daylight or flash, and dim light gives muddy, flat results. A few were surprised by how it handled shade, subway halogen light or a long twilight exposure on 4x5.

  4. Overall look53% positiveof 19

    Fans describe a natural, true-to-life and sometimes painterly look and save it for serious work. Opinions split more here than anywhere: Carmencita says people love it or hate it, and Fstoppers' writer and Bad Photography didn't take to it.

  5. Skin tones94% positiveof 16

    The most consistent praise: reviewers, labs and owners call its skin tones natural and flattering, and Decaf Journal uses it as the benchmark for other films. One video reviewer saw paler skin than expected when rating it at ISO 100.

  6. Grain100% positiveof 15

    Every opinion on grain is positive: very fine in 35mm and close to invisible in 120 and sheet film. Kubus Photo calls it the finest grain in the Portra family.

  7. Sharpness and detail91% positiveof 11

    Reviewers call it sharp and detailed, and Gregory Owain's 100% crops showed more detail than Portra 800. One reviewer saw soft lines on buildings and liked the organic feel.

  8. Scanning and printing67% positiveof 9

    Kodak designed it to scan well and labs report clean scans, but several reviewers stress that the scanner and the person scanning change the look a lot. Analog.Cafe says it can shift teal after inversion.

  9. Price and availability63% positiveof 8

    Reviewers note it is usually the cheapest Portra, and Bad Flashes says it stays in stock. Others point to a price that has roughly doubled in a few years and to Ektacolor Pro 160 stock that sells out quickly.

  10. Pushing and pulling60% positiveof 5

    Few reviewers push it, but those who do suggest one stop, either rated at 320 or pushed from box speed, for more contrast. The Phoblographer never saw a reason to push or pull it.

  11. Consistency75% positiveof 4

    Thin evidence. The Codex says it is engineered to match Portra 400 and 800, and Digital Camera World got pleasing results again and again, while The Phoblographer found it less consistent than Portra 400.

PositiveMixedNegative

How to shoot Kodak Portra 160

Portra 160 rewards careful metering and plenty of light. These steps follow Kodak's data sheet and the reviewers cited.

  1. 1

    Set ISO 160, or 100 for extra density

    Decaf Journal calls ISO 100, about two thirds of a stop over, optimal, and The Phoblographer found 35mm works best 1/3 to a full stop over. Blue Moon Camera meters for the shadows, since color negative film forgives overexposure more than underexposure.

  2. 2

    Give it daylight

    According to Kodak's data sheet, a starting point at 1/125 second is f/16 in bright sun on sand or snow, f/11 in bright sun with distinct shadows, f/8 in weak hazy sun, f/5.6 on a cloudy bright day and f/4 in heavy overcast or open shade. The sunny 16 rule explains how to work without a meter.

  3. 3

    Use flash or strobes indoors

    Kodak rates it at ISO 160 under daylight or electronic flash with no filter. Long Weekend's reviewer likes it with studio strobes because ISO 160 gives flexibility in aperture and strobe power. Under 3200 K tungsten, the data sheet calls for a No. 80A filter and ISO 40.

  4. 4

    Add exposure past one second

    Kodak's data sheets call for no correction up to 1 second. After that, Blue Moon Camera's rule of thumb is +1 stop at 10 seconds, +2 at 60 seconds and +2.5 at 2 minutes, erring toward more. Use a tripod and bracket.

  5. 5

    Stop at about one stop over

    Analog.Cafe sees a cyan shift, with lower contrast and saturation, from about 1.5 stops of overexposure, though a Flickr Portra group member said a few frames two to three stops over took it well. Max Kent says darker skin looks right when the film is exposed correctly or one stop over.

  6. 6

    Load in dim light and develop soon

    Kodak's data sheet says to load and unload roll film in subdued light and to process it as soon as possible after exposure. Any lab that runs C-41 color negative film can develop it.

Sources: decafjournal.com, thephoblographer.com, bluemooncameracodex.com, business.kodakmoments.com, longweekendgear.com, analog.cafe, maxkent.co.uk, en.wikipedia.org, flickr.com

Portra 160 vs Portra 400: which should you buy?

Portra 160Portra 400
SpeedISO 160ISO 400, 2.5 times faster (about 1 1/3 stops)
Print Grain Index (4x6 print from 35mm)2837
ColorLeast saturated Portra, still warm (Gregory Owain)More saturated
Exposure roomNarrow window, per Carmencita Film LabMore forgiving, per Carmencita and Bad Photography
PriceUsually cheaper (Long Weekend, Parallax)Costs more per roll
Best lightBright daylight and studio flashChanging light, shade and overcast; Long Weekend calls it the versatile all-day film

Pick the Portra 160 if

  • You shoot portraits or landscapes in good light and want the finest grain.
  • You want Portra color for less per roll in bright conditions or the studio.

Pick the Portra 400 if

  • You need one film for a trip with changing light, indoors and out.
  • You are still learning to meter and want more room for error.

Sources: bluemooncameracodex.com, gregoryowain.co.uk, longweekendgear.com, carmencitafilmlab.com, badphotography.co.uk, parallaxphotographic.coop

Portra 160 vs Ektar 100, Gold 200 and other films

Against Kodak Ektar 100, The Darkroom says Portra 160 has slightly less fine grain but significantly more latitude, lower contrast and more forgiving exposure. Max Kent finds it fine for landscapes but better suited to other subjects than Ektar. At the other end, Bad Photography found Portra 160 too clinical for its style and would grab Kodak Gold 200 instead, while Decaf Journal says Gold shows more grain and less dynamic range.

Kodak's Print Grain Index measures how visible grain is on a print, and lower is finer. Blue Moon Camera reads it as 28 for Portra 160 on a 4x6 from 35mm, against 37 for Portra 400 and under 25 for Ektar 100. It also says the three Portra speeds are engineered to be very consistent, so 160 and 400 can be mixed on one job.

How the usual alternatives differ from Portra 160, according to the reviewers cited
FilmISOHow it differs from Portra 160
Portra 400400Faster and more saturated, with more grain (Print Grain Index 37 vs 28)
Portra 800800Gregory Owain found grain significantly more present and less detail in 100% crops
Ektar 100100Finer grain and higher contrast; Portra 160 has significantly more latitude (The Darkroom)
Gold 200200More pronounced grain and less dynamic range (Decaf Journal); Bad Photography finds it more flexible
CineStill 50D50The Phoblographer suggests it for a similar look with even finer grain

Pick Portra 160 for skin and fine grain in good light, and Portra 400 when the light is unpredictable.

Sources: bluemooncameracodex.com, thedarkroom.com, maxsphotoblog.com, badphotography.co.uk, decafjournal.com, gregoryowain.co.uk, thephoblographer.com

Portra 160 or Ektacolor Pro 160: is it the same film?

Probably, though neither Kodak company will officially confirm it. The Darkroom, a lab that develops both, says they are the exact same emulsion, made by Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York, and 35mmc says it certainly looks that way.

Since March 24, 2026, Eastman Kodak has sold its own professional color negative line, Ektacolor Pro 160, 400 and 800, through retailers, according to PhotoWorkout. Kodak Alaris still owns the Portra name, which is why Eastman Kodak had to use Ektacolor (Kosmo Foto). Portra 160 is not about to disappear: Kodak Alaris's site still listed it in 35mm five-packs, 120 pro packs and sheet film on October 28, 2026, and 35mmc says the two names co-exist.

On price, the Ektacolor box was the cheaper buy at Glazer's Camera on October 28, 2026: $12.95 for a 36-exposure 35mm roll against $15.79 for Portra 160. Digital Camera World, which reviewed the Ektacolor Pro 160 version, warns that availability is more of an issue.

Labs and reviewers treat the two names as one film, but check which box a store is selling before you compare prices.

Sources: photoworkout.com, kosmofoto.com, kodakprofessional.com, thedarkroom.com, 35mmc.com, glazerscamera.com, glazerscamera.com, digitalcameraworld.com

Portra 160 in 35mm, 120 and sheet film

Kodak Alaris sells Portra 160 in 36-exposure 35mm rolls (in five-packs), 120 pro packs and sheets from 4x5 up to 20x24. Eastman Kodak lists Ektacolor Pro 160 in 35mm (36 exposures only), 120 five-roll packs, and 4x5 and 8x10 boxes of 10 sheets. Some US shops sell single 120 rolls, such as Pro Photo Supply at $11.99. Wikipedia says the 2011 version also came in 220, but no current Kodak page lists 220.

Format changes the grain more than anything else. According to Kodak's data sheet, the Print Grain Index for 35mm is 28 at 4x6, 50 at 8x10 and 79 at 16x20; for 6x6 cm on 120 it is under 25, 28 and 50; and a 4x5 sheet stays under 25 up to 8x10 and reaches 26 at 16x20. Blue Moon Camera calls 25 the visual threshold.

Reviewers see the same thing. Decaf Journal says 35mm is grainier and holds less detail, Blue Moon Camera calls the grain unmeasurable on 120 or 4x5, and Joe Francis saw almost no visible grain shooting 120 in a Mamiya RB67. 35mm vs 120 film covers the cameras and costs of each format.

Sources: kodakprofessional.com, kodak.com, prophotosupply.com, en.wikipedia.org, business.kodakmoments.com, bluemooncameracodex.com, decafjournal.com, youtube.com

Pushing, scanning and storing Portra 160

Kodak's data sheet gives no push or pull instructions, so the advice comes from labs and reviewers. Blue Moon Camera shoots it at box speed and has it pushed a stop when the soft look feels flat, and Decaf Journal and Carmencita Film Lab rate it at ISO 320 and push one stop for more contrast. The Phoblographer never found a reason to push or pull it. At The Darkroom, a push or pull request is a $2 fee noted on the order form. More in how to push and pull film.

Kodak says the negatives scan easily on desktop and drum scanners, and The Darkroom reports clean scans with smooth tones when the film is properly exposed. The scanner still shapes the look: Decaf Journal says Fuji Frontier scans add saturation and contrast while Noritsu scans look flatter and more muted, and Analog.Cafe notes Portra 160 can shift teal after inversion. If your rolls look muted, ask the lab which scanner it uses or try scanning at home.

According to Kodak's data sheet, keep unexposed film sealed at 21°C (70°F) or lower, or 13°C (55°F) for long periods. For flights, TSA recommends carrying undeveloped film in your carry-on or asking for a hand inspection at the checkpoint; in 2020 Kodak Alaris reported Portra 400 damaged after one pass through a CT carry-on scanner, according to Kosmo Foto.

Sources: business.kodakmoments.com, bluemooncameracodex.com, decafjournal.com, carmencitafilmlab.com, thephoblographer.com, thedarkroom.com, thedarkroom.com, analog.cafe, tsa.gov, kosmofoto.com

What a roll of Portra 160 costs

On October 28, 2026, US camera shops listed a 36-exposure 35mm roll of Portra 160 at $13.99 to $17.99, and Ektacolor Pro 160, which a lab says is the same film, at $12.95 to $14.75. 120 five-packs ran $59.95 to $85.00. B&H, Adorama and Freestyle could not be read, so they are not listed.

  • Film Photography Project Store

    New, Portra 160, 35mm, 36 exposures, single roll

    $13.99

    See listing

  • Arts Cameras

    New, Portra 160, 35mm, 36 exposures, single roll

    $14.59

    See listing

  • Pro Photo Supply

    New, unboxed, Portra 160, 35mm, 36 exposures, single roll

    $14.99

    See listing

  • Looking Glass Photo

    New, Portra 160, 35mm, 36 exposures, single roll

    $15.49

    See listing

  • Glazer's Camera

    New, Portra 160, 35mm, 36 exposures, single roll

    $15.79

    See listing

  • Pictureline

    New, Portra 160, 35mm, 36 exposures, single roll

    $16.25

    See listing

  • ProCam

    New, Portra 160, 35mm, 36 exposures, single roll

    $17.99

    See listing

  • Pro Photo Supply

    New, Portra 160, 35mm, 36 exposures, 5-pack

    $68.99

    See listing

  • Glazer's Camera

    New, Ektacolor Pro 160, 35mm, 36 exposures, single roll

    $12.95

    See listing

  • Reformed Film Lab

    New, Ektacolor Pro 160, 35mm, 36 exposures, single roll

    $14.75

    See listing

  • Pro Photo Supply

    New, unboxed, Portra 160, 120, single roll

    $11.99

    See listing

  • Looking Glass Photo

    New, Portra 160, 120, single roll

    $14.49

    See listing

  • Legacy Photolab

    New, Ektacolor Pro 160, 120, single roll

    $14.99

    See listing

  • Film Photography Project Store

    New, Portra 160, 120, 5-roll pro pack

    $64.99

    See listing

  • ProCam

    New, Portra 160, 120, 5-pack

    $74.99

    See listing

  • Reformed Film Lab

    New, Portra 160, 120, 5-pack

    $85.00

    See listing

  • Glazer's Camera

    New, Ektacolor Pro 160, 120, 5-pack

    $59.95

    See listing

  • Reformed Film Lab

    New, Ektacolor Pro 160, 120, 5-roll pro pack

    $67.00

    See listing

  • Glazer's Camera

    New, Portra 160, 4x5 sheet film, 10 sheets

    $71.69

    See listing

Prices checked on October 28, 2026. They move every week, so treat them as a range, not a quote. Per roll, Pro Photo Supply's 35mm five-pack ($68.99) works out to about $13.80 and Glazer's Ektacolor 120 five-pack ($59.95) to about $11.99. PhotoWorkout reported B&H's March 2026 launch prices as $17.99 for Portra 160 and $16.99 for Ektacolor Pro 160 in 35mm. Several 120 single rolls and 4x5 boxes were sold out on the day and are left out.

Technical data

Film

Type
Daylight-balanced color negative film
Speed
ISO 160 (23°)
Process
C-41
Look
Medium color saturation, low contrast, high sharpness, T-Grain emulsion
Edge print
KODAK PORTRA 160
Made by
Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY; Portra distributed by Kodak Alaris

Exposure

Light source
Daylight or electronic flash, no filter, per the data sheet
With filters
ISO 50 with No. 80B (3400 K photolamp); ISO 40 with No. 80A (3200 K tungsten), per the data sheet
Long exposures
No compensation up to 1 second, per Kodak's data sheets
Latitude
Kodak says wide, with no stop figure; Analog.Cafe estimates about 7 stops of dynamic range

Print Grain Index (lower is finer)

35mm
28 at 4x6, 50 at 8x10, 79 at 16x20, per the data sheet
120 (6x6 cm)
Under 25 at 4x6, 28 at 8x10, 50 at 16x20
4x5 sheet
Under 25 at 4x6 and 8x10, 26 at 16x20

Formats

Portra 160 (Kodak Alaris)
35mm 36 exposures in 5-packs, 120 pro pack, sheets 4x5, 5x7, 8x10, 12x20 and 20x24
Ektacolor Pro 160, 135-36
Catalog 7519549
Ektacolor Pro 160, 120 five-roll
Catalog 7519598
Ektacolor Pro 160, 4x5 and 8x10
10 sheets; catalog 7520794 (4x5), 7523137 (8x10)

History

Portra family launched
1998, with 160, 400 and 800 together
NC and VC merged
Announced February 2011; one Portra 160 on sale from mid-2011
Ektacolor Pro 160
At retailers from March 24, 2026

Storage

Unexposed film
21°C (70°F) or lower, sealed; 13°C (55°F) for long periods, per the data sheet

Video reviews worth your time

  • Kodak Portra 160 35mm | ROLL REVIEW

    Analog Resurgence, 2019

    Kodak Portra 160 is a fine-grained, high-quality film stock that excels in daylight and studio lighting, delivering natural skin tones and rich detail.

    • 0:19 Introduction to Kodak Portra 160 color negative film
    • 1:24 Sample images showing fine grain and image detail
    • 2:22 Comparing Portra 160 color tones with ColorPlus 200
    • 3:10 Effects of under and overexposure on Portra 160

  • Kodak Portra 160 Review, Samples, Tips, Technical Analysis, and Guide | All About Film

    David Hancock, 2023

    Kodak Portra 160 is an extraordinarily versatile color negative film with fine grain, rich contrast, and remarkable consistency across various formats.

    • 0:51 Overview of tips and recommended uses for Portra 160
    • 3:14 Discussion of film image characteristics like grain and sharpness
    • 5:35 Comparison between lab scans and home digital camera film scans
    • 7:16 Analysis of spectral sensitivity curves and color layer response

  • Kodak Portra 160 Review: Mamiya RB67

    Joe Francis, 2018

    The reviewer considers Kodak Portra 160 his go-to color film, praising its warm skin tones, fine detail, minimal grain, and wide exposure latitude.

    • 0:54 Reviewer holds up the Mamiya RB67 camera used for shooting.
    • 1:04 Sample portrait photo showcasing the warm tones of Portra 160.
    • 2:17 Sample portrait image demonstrating sharpness and background detail.
    • 4:00 Reviewer shows physical darkroom prints made from the film negatives.

  • Kodak Portra 160 Review - "Sunny Portraits"

    Analogue Wonderland, 2021

    Kodak Portra 160 is a versatile, fine-grained film that excels at rendering skin tones and fine details in bright sunlight.

    • 0:15 Introduction to Kodak Portra 160 film canister.
    • 1:08 Sample portraits demonstrating skin tone rendering.
    • 2:16 Landscape photos showcasing fine detail and clarity.
    • 3:38 Overview of available Portra 160 film formats.

  • Have you been SLEEPING on Portra 160?

    Bad Flashes, 2025

    The reviewer considers Kodak Portra 160 an underrated and exceptionally fine-grained film stock with excellent skin tone rendering and highlight latitude, especially when shot in medium format.

    • 1:16 Overview of camera gear used for the Texas film trip
    • 2:40 Darkroom statistics showing Portra 160 ranking 9th in popularity
    • 5:26 Comparing 120 medium format and 35mm side-by-side shots
    • 10:17 Testing Portra 160 pushed by one stop in low light

Questions people ask about the Portra 160

What is Kodak Portra 160 good for?

Portraits, fashion and studio work in bright daylight or with flash. Kodak lists portrait, fashion and commercial photography, Long Weekend's reviewer loves it with studio strobes, and Gregory Owain thinks it suits landscape and still life best. Most reviewers call it a poor pick for low light.

Sources: kodakprofessional.com, longweekendgear.com, gregoryowain.co.uk

Is Portra 160 or 400 better?

Neither wins outright. Portra 400 is the more versatile all-day film, as Long Weekend puts it, and Carmencita and Bad Photography find it more forgiving. Portra 160 has finer grain (a Print Grain Index of 28 against 37 on a 4x6 from 35mm), lower saturation and usually a lower price, so it is the better pick for bright light, studio work and big prints.

Sources: longweekendgear.com, carmencitafilmlab.com, bluemooncameracodex.com, badphotography.co.uk

Why is Kodak Portra so expensive?

No source gives a single reason. Decaf Journal's reviewer says Portra 160 costs double what it did a few years earlier, and on October 28, 2026 a 36-exposure roll ran $13.99 to $17.99 at US shops. Eastman Kodak's Ektacolor Pro 160, which The Darkroom says is the same emulsion, started at $12.95. More background in [why film is so expensive](/film/why-is-film-so-expensive/).

Sources: decafjournal.com, thedarkroom.com, glazerscamera.com

Why is Portra so popular?

Mostly for skin tones. Kodak calls smooth, natural skin reproduction the hallmark of the Portra family, and reviewers from The Phoblographer to Carmencita Film Lab single it out. The three speeds are also engineered to match, so photographers can mix them on one job. Analogue Wonderland, a UK store, says Portra 160 35mm has its highest customer feedback score, 4.96 out of 5, among films with more than 20 reviews.

Sources: kodakprofessional.com, thephoblographer.com, bluemooncameracodex.com, analoguewonderland.co.uk

What ISO should I shoot Portra 160 at?

Box speed is ISO 160, but many photographers rate it at 100. Decaf Journal calls ISO 100, about two thirds of a stop over, optimal, and The Phoblographer suggests 1/3 to a full stop of extra exposure in 35mm. Avoid underexposure, which turns muddy, and more than about 1.5 stops over, where Analog.Cafe sees a cyan shift.

Sources: decafjournal.com, thephoblographer.com, longweekendgear.com, analog.cafe

Is Portra 160 the same as Ektacolor Pro 160?

The Darkroom, a lab that develops both, says they are the exact same emulsion made by Eastman Kodak in Rochester; Portra is distributed by Kodak Alaris and Ektacolor Pro by Eastman Kodak. 35mmc says it looks that way but neither company will officially confirm it. Portra 160 is not discontinued: Kodak Alaris still lists it, and 35mmc says the two names co-exist.

Sources: thedarkroom.com, 35mmc.com, kodakprofessional.com

Can you push Portra 160?

Yes, usually by one stop. Decaf Journal and Carmencita Film Lab rate it at ISO 320 and push one stop for more contrast, and Blue Moon Camera pushes box-speed rolls a stop when the look feels flat. Kodak's data sheet gives no push figures, and The Phoblographer never saw a reason to push it. The Darkroom charges a $2 fee for push or pull requests.

Sources: decafjournal.com, carmencitafilmlab.com, bluemooncameracodex.com, thephoblographer.com, thedarkroom.com

Is Portra 160 good for beginners?

Usually not as a first film. Kubus Photo calls ISO 160 too limiting for most beginners, and Carmencita Film Lab says it needs a well-lit scene. Bad Photography found it demanded more precision than Portra 400 and finds Kodak Gold 200 more flexible and forgiving.

Sources: kubusphoto.com, carmencitafilmlab.com, badphotography.co.uk

What people compare it with

  • Kodak Portra 400

    The same Portra look about 1 1/3 stops faster, for mixed or dimmer light; Blue Moon Camera says the two are built to be mixed on one job.

  • Kodak Ektar 100

    Finer grain and more contrast for landscapes, with less exposure latitude than Portra 160, per The Darkroom.

  • Kodak Gold 200

    A consumer film that Bad Photography finds more flexible and forgiving, with more grain and less dynamic range per Decaf Journal.

  • Kodak Portra 800

    The fastest Portra for low light; Gregory Owain found its grain significantly more present than 160's.

Every source behind this page

Read them yourself. How we pick and count them is in our methodology.

Show all 70 sources

Manuals and references 30

Independent blogs 19

Editorial reviews 13

Video reviews 5

Forums 2

Retailer customer reviews 1