AshigrainColour reversal · 1990s
Kodak Ektachrome 400X
Warm slides for changing light and fast action.
Kodak Ektachrome 400X in Reversal mode. Original vs Ashigrain.
At a glance
- Exposure index
- 400
- Daylight
- Introduced
- c. 1992
- Discontinued
- Process
- E-6
- Prints on
- Reversal, viewed directly
About the film
Kodak Ektachrome 400X Professional Film is a daylight-balanced, ISO 400 colour transparency film identified by the code EPL. The Timeline of Historical Film Colors dates it to about 1992.
Kodak recommended it for photojournalism and outdoor work in changing or low light. Its technical sheet also names fast action, handheld telephoto photography and small apertures as applications. Kodak described a warm balance and saturated colours at its nominal speed with normal E-6 processing, without requiring a push. The September 2005 sheet lists 135, long rolls and 120 on acetate supports of different thicknesses. It was documented by Eastman Kodak Company and is discontinued. The historical source gives alternative end years of 2005 or 2007, so the sources read do not resolve a final production year.
Sources for this history
- KODAK EKTACHROME 400X Professional Film Technical Data, Eastman Kodak Company
- Kodak Ektachrome 400X Professional Film, Timeline of Historical Film Colors, University of Zurich
The look
Kodak Ektachrome 400X is a daylight ISO 400 slide film, coded EPL, using normal E-6 processing. Kodak recommended its warm, saturated colour for changing light, photojournalism and fast action. It defaults to Reversal mode; grain comes from its own RMS 19 headline, and dye-curve labels are inferred.
Best for
- Photojournalism in changing daylight
- Fast action with handheld telephoto lenses
- Outdoor work needing small apertures
Compare camera films
FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower means finer grainYears made
Ansco Color Negative 843Ansco Color Negative 843−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 16−4⅔ stops.0041951
Gevacolor Negative T 6.51Gevacolor Negative T 6.51−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 16−4⅔ stops.0071951
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process II−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 16−4⅔ stops.0191922
Trucolor (two-colour)Trucolor (two-colour)−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 16−4⅔ stops.0191945
ORWOCOLOR UK 14ORWOCOLOR UK 14−4⅓ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 20−4⅓ stops.0111964
Kodak Kodachrome 25Kodak Kodachrome 25−4 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 25−4 stops.0141974
Agfacolor Typ 432Agfacolor Typ 432−3⅔ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 32−3⅔ stops.0071962
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443−3⅓ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 40−3⅓ stops.0292001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · −3 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0042011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · −3 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0112007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50−3 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0041995
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50−3 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0111998
Konica Impresa 50Konica Impresa 50−3 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0051998
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II−2⅔ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 64−2⅔ stops.0132002
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · −2⅔ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 64−2⅔ stops.0161974–2009
Polaroid Type 669Polaroid Type 669−2⅓ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 80−2⅓ stops.0231981
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · −2⅓ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 80−2⅓ stops.0131997–
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0132018–
Lucky Super GBR 100Lucky Super GBR 100−2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100−2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052002
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · −2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0112003–12
Fujifilm Velvia 100Fujifilm Velvia 100Made since 2003, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0112003–
Kodak Ektachrome E100SKodak Ektachrome E100S−2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0151996
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100−2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0051998
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100−2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0111998
Kodak Ektachrome E100VSKodak Ektachrome E100VS−2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0171998
Fujifilm Provia 100FFujifilm Provia 100FMade since 2000, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0102000–
Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)−2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0181988
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · −2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0221992–2016
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200Lomography Redscale XR 50-200−2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052025
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0211980–
Kodak T-Max 100Kodak T-Max 100Made since 1986, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0081986–
Ilford Delta 100Ilford Delta 100Made since 1992, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0071992–
Agfa Agfapan APX 100Agfa Agfapan APX 100−2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0071998
Fomapan 100 ClassicFomapan 100 ClassicMade since 2016, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0122016–
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247−1⅔ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 125−1⅔ stops.0051983
Kodak Technical PanKodak Technical Pan−1⅔ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 125−1⅔ stops.0081977
Kodak Portra 160Kodak Portra 160Made since 2011, in production · −1⅓ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 160−1⅓ stops.0062011–
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160−1⅓ stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 160−1⅓ stops.0061995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0062010–
Kodak Verita 200DKodak Verita 200DMade since 2026, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0062026–
Kodak Gold 200Kodak Gold 200Made since 2007, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0082007–
Lucky Super GBR 200Lucky Super GBR 200−1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0072001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200−1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0052002
Kodak Ektachrome E200Kodak Ektachrome E200−1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0181997
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200−1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0141998
Kodak Kodachrome 200Kodak Kodachrome 200−1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0271986
Harman Phoenix 200Harman Phoenix 200−1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0072023
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0242003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0062009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250Fujifilm Eterna 250−⅔ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0052006
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0052005–13
Kodak Vision 250DKodak Vision 250DMade 1997–2005 · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0071997–2005
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0131960–
ORWO Wolfen NC400ORWO Wolfen NC400same speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052022
Kodak Portra 400Kodak Portra 400Made since 2010, in production · same speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0072010–
ORWO Wolfen NC500ORWO Wolfen NC500same speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0062022
Fujifilm Provia 400FFujifilm Provia 400Fsame speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0172000
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400same speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0062004
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · same speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052004–21
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400same speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052006
LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedLomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedsame speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052024
Kodak Tri-X 400Kodak Tri-X 400Made since 1954, in production · same speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0171954–
Kodak T-Max 400Kodak T-Max 400Made since 2007, in production · same speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0102007–
Ilford HP5 PlusIlford HP5 PlusMade since 1989, in production · same speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0161989–
Ilford Delta 400Ilford Delta 400Made since 2002, in production · same speed vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 400same speed.0102002–
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0072007–
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052009–13
Kodak Vision2 500TKodak Vision2 500T+⅓ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0092009
Fujicolor Reala 500DFujicolor Reala 500D+⅓ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052001
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+⅓ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052004–13
Anscochrome D/500Anscochrome D/500+⅓ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain coarserEI 500+⅓ stop.0381967
Eastman EXR 500TEastman EXR 500TMade 1989–1995 · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0081989–95
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 800+1 stop.0092000–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800+1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 800+1 stop.0072004
Kodak Vision 800TKodak Vision 800T+1 stop vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 800+1 stop.0101998
Konica Centuria Super 1600Konica Centuria Super 1600+2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 1600+2 stops.0072002
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+2 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain coarserEI 1600+2 stops.0501999
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +3 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 3200+3 stops.0181988–
Ilford Delta 3200Ilford Delta 3200Made since 1998, in production · +3 stops vs Kodak Ektachrome 400X · grain finerEI 3200+3 stops.0191998–
Science & sources
The September 2005 E-161 sheet supplies this film's own tone, sensitivity and dye curves, but the dye curves are unlabelled and their identities are inferred. Its single visual MTF is applied to all layers. Grain uses its own gross-density RMS 19 headline; push and pull are generic.
Response curves and the evidence behind the model
Compare manufacturer data with Ashigrain’s response on the same axes. These curves show how the model is calibrated to its sources; they do not establish a match to photographed film.
Characteristic response
RMS granularity
Density variation (σD) measured through a 48 µm aperture. Where the datasheet gives a single grain value, the response away from that point is an approximation.
| Channel | Density | Datasheet-based σD | Model σD |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | 0.3 | 0.01509 | 0.014973 |
| G | 0.3 | 0.010659 | 0.010573 |
| B | 0.3 | 0.015542 | 0.0154 |
| R | 0.6 | 0.029496 | 0.029268 |
| G | 0.6 | 0.02213 | 0.021952 |
| B | 0.6 | 0.037185 | 0.036844 |
| R | 1 | 0.043103 | 0.04277 |
| G | 1 | 0.03711 | 0.036812 |
| B | 1 | 0.064002 | 0.063415 |
| R | 1.5 | 0.064359 | 0.063863 |
| G | 1.5 | 0.059225 | 0.058748 |
| B | 1.5 | 0.096956 | 0.096066 |
| R | 2 | 0.073866 | 0.073296 |
| G | 2 | 0.071629 | 0.071053 |
| B | 2 | 0.141842 | 0.140541 |
Model limits
These images show the film model in use. Spectral response, lighting and viewing conditions include approximations. Halation, bloom, grain size, weave and flicker are not fully measured for each film. The look of real film also depends on development and print timing.
- Custom lighting spectra, camera metering and the spectral reflectance inferred from fixed-white-balance footage are assumptions used by the model, not measurements of this film.
- Conversion-filter spectra (80A for daylight films under tungsten, 85 for tungsten films in daylight) come from separate measured filter data, not from this film’s source. Applying those filters to this film remains modelled.
- The only grain datum is RMS granularity 19 × 10⁻³ at gross diffuse visual density 1.0, measured with a 48 µm aperture. Conversion to net density and extension with a square-root density law are modelled.
- The dye curves are unlabelled. Cyan, magenta, yellow and visual-neutral assignments are inferred from their peak wavelengths and the chart note.
- Dye data begin at 420 nm, and the extracted sensitivity grid covers 405–680 nm. Spectral tails outside the printed data are not measured.
- The green characteristic curve ends at log H −0.90, while red and blue continue to −0.45. Response beyond the printed curves is extrapolated.
- The small 0.0023-density rise near the blue D-max is retained as printed. The raster cross-check retraces the same overlapping strokes and gives an optimistic extraction-error bound, not independent verification.
- The source prints one visual MTF curve, not separate red, green and blue curves. The model applies it to all three layers.
- Push and pull have no published curves for this film and use a generic model.
- The sheet prints reciprocity corrections at a few exposure times; the correction between them is interpolated, and the colour-compensating filter it prescribes is taken at its nominal value.
- The physical dye-cloud or grain-clump size is inferred from the film's speed class, not measured for this film.
- Individual dye amounts, layer interactions and push/pull behaviour are approximated where the datasheet provides no calibration. Grain size is assumed; published RMS granularity does not specify dye-cloud size.
- The source names no antihalation layer; an undercoat is inferred rather than documented.
- Halation strength, radius and layer weights are not quantified by the datasheet. The effect of removing antihalation and the bloom response are also approximations.
- The available sources do not measure veiling flare during projection. The model approximates its contribution to lifted blacks on screen, so the result is not a measured projection contrast.
Reciprocity: modelled from 1/10000 s to 10 s, following the datasheet's corrections for long and short exposures. Exposure time stops at the ends of that range.
Film guide: assumptions and practical choices
Sources
- Exposure index: KODAK EKTACHROME 400X Professional Film Technical Data, E-161, September 2005, p. 2
- Process: KODAK EKTACHROME 400X Professional Film Technical Data, E-161, September 2005, p. 3
- Characteristic curves: KODAK EKTACHROME 400X Professional Film Technical Data, E-161, September 2005, p. 5
- Diffuse RMS granularity: KODAK EKTACHROME 400X Professional Film Technical Data, E-161, September 2005, p. 5