Kodak Ultramax 400 Color Negative Film (ISO 400) 35mm 24-Exposures - 2 Pack (2 Items)

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In this review, I will compare it to its former (Fujifilm Superia X-Tra) and current alternatives (Portra 400, ORWO Wolfen NC 500). I’d be more likely to use a medium format camera loaded with Portra, and since Ultramax doesn’t come in medium format, well, that’s that. These are two pictures that look especially clean to me, almost similar to what my dgital pictures look like in Lightroom with my basic import settings: Leica M6 | MS-Optics 35mm 1. But remember that this is a 400 speed film; we should expect that it’s not going to be as smooth as Provia or Ektar. Personally, I love both Ektar and Provia very much just as you were, but while using these films, I felt a lot of constrants.

James at Casual Photophile confesses how he likes Kodak Ultramax 400 in Kodak Ultramax 400 Film Profile – Confessions of a Film Snob.And while when exposed properly the film’s grain is never overbearing, in certain instances it can become especially pronounced. It creates consistent results that make understanding and comparing the emulsion’s colour/contrast attributes possible. Overall I feel it’s a lackluster option compared to Kodak Gold which I believe is the more comparable alternative in terms of pricing and use.

If color accuracy is of high importance, keep in mind that UltraMax 400 is daylight balanced (5500K). I am team ultramax, though there were a few of your pix where the gold had bolder colors (maybe lower light? Additionally, the rolls I got did not have DX coding, rendering NC 500 unusable on most point-and-shoot cameras . Even when enlarged, Ultra Max 400 Film delivers excellent sharpness and fine grain for crisp, clear pictures. While it seems to be ok with underexposure upto about 2-3 stops, it does get a quite muddy in the darks when underexposed to that level.As I mention in the accompanying YouTube video - Ultramax 35mm is a wonderful 'middle-ground' film that is great at many things without excelling in a niche, unlike the more expensive Portra or Ektar. He does not shoot film that much, and rather than have him discouraged, I know he will get photographs he will like. Once you get the hang of using Kodak UltraMax 400, you can rest assured that you won’t need to look too hard to get more supplies. Since UltraMax is already sensitive enough, you can use your lens at higher f-stops and with the camera set at a faster shutter speed. By purchasing anything using these links, Casual Photophile may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

I totally love it and I feel that if you are into film photography, you must give Kodak UltraMax 400 a try in your film camera for sure. Though not as fine-grained as those professional-level films, it’s certainly got enough resolving power to make sharp and smooth images. Its wide exposure latitude allows for capturing vibrant colours in daylight, and beautiful portrait shots too.

A late attempt to win in the compact market was hit by the rise of mobile photography and bankruptcy followed in 2012. Of-course, in the early 2000s we experienced the rise of digital photography and Kodak literally and spectacularly collapsed. The 400 speed means it can handle most situations well, and I think it does the “Kodak” look the best. For complete instructions on how to read film characteristic curves and derive dynamic range from lux-seconds, read this . As a predominantly black and white film shooter, when I shoot color, I love the colors to feel exaggerated.