Topic: Farewell Portra 400NC & 400VC... hello Kodak Professional Portra 400

[original_ann]

... insert eye roll.

http://www.photographyblog.com/news/kodak_professional_portra_400/

[original_ann]

oh did I mention no more 5x7 or 8x10?   

[Terry]

I'm wondering if this is the still version of their 5219 motion stock.  If it is, it's got amazing range and very very tight grain.

[Phil Bebbington]

OKay, it's a new film so I will do a happy eye roll and hope that helps in some way.

Fingers crossed, Terry.

[original_ann]

I rarely use 400 speed film, but hoping that this isn't going to be a continued trend in the near future for the 160. 

[Phil Bebbington]

I'll second that, Ann. I use their 160 film far more and would be a tad irritated if they got rid of that. Still, I did try the Ektar and liked that very much.

[original_ann]

I shot a handful of Ektar this summer too, Phil.  Only problem is that SilverFast's negative profiles seems to be a bit 'off' and I find I have to finagle to get acceptable tonal range.   Still a fan!

[Photo_Utopia]

I guess its more consolidation, lots of people scan their work now so having an emulsion with more saturated colour may be less of a worry.
 If you print C-types I guess Kodak will direct you toward Ektar for that.
As for the new film being motion picture based I doubt that, as far as I know the old Portra aready had the 2 electron emulsion they put in the Ektar, the motion stuff is radically different from the stills.

Possibly in hindsight the writing was on the wall for VC when Ektar arrived, I'd like Ektar 400 please Kodak! You can be sure this is the end for 160 VC too. To be fair to Kodak they just want to make money and if that means we just have 160 and 400 Portra and Ektar 100 then i guess that's all we can expect-I just hope they survive.
Mark