AshigrainColour reversal · Vintage
Kodak Kodachrome 25
The slowest, finest-grained Kodachrome of all.
Kodachrome 25, the slow daylight Kodachrome, on a sunlit travel scene. Original vs Ashigrain.
At a glance
- Exposure index
- 25
- Daylight
- Introduced
- 1974
- Discontinued
- Process
- K-14
- Prints on
- Reversal, viewed directly
About the film
Kodachrome 25 is a daylight colour reversal film for Kodak's K-14 process, sold in its last years as Kodachrome 25 Professional, code PKM. Kodak dates it to 1974, when, its brochure says, Kodachrome 25 and 64 were released for the K-14 process, for more consistent colour and easier processing.
Kodachrome itself went back to 1935, an introduction the same brochure recalls. Kodak later added Professional versions of the 25 and 64 films, offering large lots of a single emulsion number with a predictable colour balance. In 1986 Kodak added Kodachrome 200 Professional and a 120-size Kodachrome 64 Professional. Kodak presented the 25 and 64 films as having extremely fine grain and very high sharpness, suited to a wide range of professional work. Kodak's June 2009 data sheet announced that Kodachrome film had been discontinued.
Sources for this history
- KODAK KODACHROME 25, 64, and 200 Professional Films Technical Data, Eastman Kodak Company
- KODACHROME Professional Films, Eastman Kodak Company
- The British Journal of Photography Annual 1976, British Journal of Photography
The look
Kodak Kodachrome 25 is a daylight colour reversal film for the K-14 process, viewed directly as the positive. The slowest Kodachrome pairs a long, steep scale and warm dense shadows with the finest grain of its family and very high sharpness.
Best for
- Landscapes and architecture in bright sun
- Fine detail for large projection
- Still life and copy work in daylight
Compare camera films
FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower means finer grainYears made
Ansco Color Negative 843Ansco Color Negative 843−⅔ stop vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 16−⅔ stop.0041951
Gevacolor Negative T 6.51Gevacolor Negative T 6.51−⅔ stop vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 16−⅔ stop.0071951
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process II−⅔ stop vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 16−⅔ stop.0191922
Trucolor (two-colour)Trucolor (two-colour)−⅔ stop vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 16−⅔ stop.0191945
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443+⅔ stop vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 40+⅔ stop.0292001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · +1 stop vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 50+1 stop.0042011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · +1 stop vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 50+1 stop.0112007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50+1 stop vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 50+1 stop.0041995
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50+1 stop vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 50+1 stop.0111998
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II+1⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 64+1⅓ stops.0132002
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · +1⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 64+1⅓ stops.0161974–2009
Polaroid Type 669Polaroid Type 669+1⅔ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 80+1⅔ stops.0231981
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · +1⅔ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 80+1⅔ stops.0131997–
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · +2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · +2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0132018–
Lucky Super GBR 100Lucky Super GBR 100+2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0052001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100+2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0052002
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · +2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0112003–12
Fujifilm Velvia 100Fujifilm Velvia 100Made since 2003, in production · +2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0112003–
Kodak Ektachrome E100SKodak Ektachrome E100S+2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 100+2 stops.0151996
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100+2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0051998
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100+2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0111998
Kodak Ektachrome E100VSKodak Ektachrome E100VS+2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 100+2 stops.0171998
Fujifilm Provia 100FFujifilm Provia 100FMade since 2000, in production · +2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0102000–
Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)+2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 100+2 stops.0181988
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · +2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 100+2 stops.0221992–2016
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200Lomography Redscale XR 50-200+2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0052025
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · +2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 100+2 stops.0211980–
Kodak T-Max 100Kodak T-Max 100Made since 1986, in production · +2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0081986–
Ilford Delta 100Ilford Delta 100Made since 1992, in production · +2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0071992–
Agfa Agfapan APX 100Agfa Agfapan APX 100+2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0071998
Fomapan 100 ClassicFomapan 100 ClassicMade since 2016, in production · +2 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 100+2 stops.0122016–
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247+2⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 125+2⅓ stops.0051983
Kodak Technical PanKodak Technical Pan+2⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 125+2⅓ stops.0081977
Kodak Portra 160Kodak Portra 160Made since 2011, in production · +2⅔ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 160+2⅔ stops.0062011–
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160+2⅔ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 160+2⅔ stops.0061995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · +3 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 200+3 stops.0062010–
Kodak Verita 200DKodak Verita 200DMade since 2026, in production · +3 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 200+3 stops.0062026–
Kodak Gold 200Kodak Gold 200Made since 2007, in production · +3 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 200+3 stops.0082007–
Lucky Super GBR 200Lucky Super GBR 200+3 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 200+3 stops.0072001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200+3 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 200+3 stops.0052002
Kodak Ektachrome E200Kodak Ektachrome E200+3 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 200+3 stops.0181997
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200+3 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain the sameEI 200+3 stops.0141998
Kodak Kodachrome 200Kodak Kodachrome 200+3 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 200+3 stops.0271986
Harman Phoenix 200Harman Phoenix 200+3 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 200+3 stops.0072023
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · +3 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 200+3 stops.0242003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · +3⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 250+3⅓ stops.0062009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250Fujifilm Eterna 250+3⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 250+3⅓ stops.0052006
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · +3⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 250+3⅓ stops.0052005–13
Kodak Vision 250DKodak Vision 250DMade 1997–2005 · +3⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 250+3⅓ stops.0071997–2005
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · +3⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 250+3⅓ stops.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · +3⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 250+3⅓ stops.0131960–
ORWO Wolfen NC400ORWO Wolfen NC400+4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 400+4 stops.0052022
Kodak Portra 400Kodak Portra 400Made since 2010, in production · +4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 400+4 stops.0072010–
ORWO Wolfen NC500ORWO Wolfen NC500+4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 400+4 stops.0062022
Fujifilm Provia 400FFujifilm Provia 400F+4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 400+4 stops.0172000
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400+4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 400+4 stops.0062004
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · +4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 400+4 stops.0052004–21
Kodak Ektachrome 400XKodak Ektachrome 400X+4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 400+4 stops.0371992
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400+4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 400+4 stops.0052006
LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedLomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissed+4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 400+4 stops.0052024
Kodak Tri-X 400Kodak Tri-X 400Made since 1954, in production · +4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 400+4 stops.0171954–
Kodak T-Max 400Kodak T-Max 400Made since 2007, in production · +4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 400+4 stops.0102007–
Ilford HP5 PlusIlford HP5 PlusMade since 1989, in production · +4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 400+4 stops.0161989–
Ilford Delta 400Ilford Delta 400Made since 2002, in production · +4 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 400+4 stops.0102002–
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +4⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 500+4⅓ stops.0072007–
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +4⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 500+4⅓ stops.0052009–13
Kodak Vision2 500TKodak Vision2 500T+4⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 500+4⅓ stops.0092009
Fujicolor Reala 500DFujicolor Reala 500D+4⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 500+4⅓ stops.0052001
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+4⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 500+4⅓ stops.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +4⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 500+4⅓ stops.0052004–13
Anscochrome D/500Anscochrome D/500+4⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 500+4⅓ stops.0381967
Eastman EXR 500TEastman EXR 500TMade 1989–1995 · +4⅓ stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 500+4⅓ stops.0081989–95
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +5 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 800+5 stops.0092000–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800+5 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 800+5 stops.0072004
Kodak Vision 800TKodak Vision 800T+5 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 800+5 stops.0101998
Konica Centuria Super 1600Konica Centuria Super 1600+6 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain finerEI 1600+6 stops.0072002
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+6 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 1600+6 stops.0501999
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +7 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 3200+7 stops.0181988–
Ilford Delta 3200Ilford Delta 3200Made since 1998, in production · +7 stops vs Kodak Kodachrome 25 · grain coarserEI 3200+7 stops.0191998–
Science & sources
A daylight colour reversal film rated at ISO 25, shown directly without a print stage. Its curves, spectral sensitivity, dyes, single visual MTF and RMS granularity are digitised from Kodak's 2009 sheet; the one MTF curve is applied to all three layers, and the granularity, printed at a gross density, is converted to net density.
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 | 0.005231 | 0.005177 |
| G | 0.3 | 0.004117 | 0.00407 |
| B | 0.3 | 0.007 | 0.006912 |
| R | 0.6 | 0.010452 | 0.010344 |
| G | 0.6 | 0.008496 | 0.0084 |
| B | 0.6 | 0.016525 | 0.016317 |
| R | 1 | 0.016154 | 0.015987 |
| G | 1 | 0.014267 | 0.014106 |
| B | 1 | 0.027873 | 0.027522 |
| R | 1.5 | 0.023566 | 0.023322 |
| G | 1.5 | 0.021823 | 0.021578 |
| B | 1.5 | 0.043836 | 0.043283 |
| R | 2 | 0.028927 | 0.028627 |
| G | 2 | 0.028647 | 0.028325 |
| B | 2 | 0.060894 | 0.060127 |
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 source prints one visual MTF curve, not separate red, green and blue curves. The model applies it to all three layers.
- The only grain value is RMS granularity 9 × 10⁻³, read at a gross (not net) visual density of 1.0. Its conversion to net density and the response away from that point are modelled.
- 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.
- 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.
- Characteristic response outside the published exposure range is an extrapolation, not measured film data.
- 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 1 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 KODACHROME 25, 64, and 200 Professional Films Technical Data, E-55, June 2009, p. 1
- Process: KODAK KODACHROME 25, 64, and 200 Professional Films Technical Data, E-55, June 2009, p. 2
- Characteristic curves: KODAK KODACHROME 25, 64, and 200 Professional Films Technical Data, E-55, June 2009, p. 3
- Diffuse RMS granularity: KODAK KODACHROME 25, 64, and 200 Professional Films Technical Data, E-55, June 2009, p. 3