AshigrainColour negative · 2006 onward
Kodak Portra 160
Kodak's fine-grained portrait negative for studio and location.
Kodak's 160-speed portrait negative: natural skin tones and low contrast. Original vs Ashigrain.
At a glance
- Exposure index
- 160
- Daylight
- Introduced
- 2011
- In production
- Process
- C-41
- Prints on
- Scan
About the film
Kodak Portra 160 is a daylight ISO 160 colour negative for Process C-41, and Kodak dates it to 2011: Eastman Kodak's release of 21 February that year introduced it at the WPPI show in Las Vegas, for sale from March in 35 mm, 120/220, 4x5 and 8x10.
Before it, Kodak's 160-speed Portra films were 160NC and 160VC, listed in one family data sheet with 400NC, 400VC and Portra 800. The release said Portra 160 would replace both 160NC and 160VC as their stock ran out. Kodak credited its finer grain to Advanced Cubic Emulsions and said it shared the Vision film technology of the Portra 400 launched in 2010. It was aimed at portrait, fashion and commercial work, in the studio or on location. Kodak stressed finer grain for scanning and enlargement in current workflows, while keeping the natural skin tones of the Portra family. Kodak Alaris now publishes the data sheet, revised in January 2025, and its curves are Portra 160's own drawings rather than copies of 160NC's.
Sources for this history
- KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 160 Film Technical Data (E-4051, January 2025), Kodak Alaris Inc.
- Kodak Continues to Bring New Professional Films to Market with KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 160 Film, Eastman Kodak Company
- KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 160NC, 160VC, 400NC, 400VC, and 800 Films Technical Data (E-4040, February 2009), Eastman Kodak Company
- Kodak Continues to Enhance Award-Winning Professional Film Portfolio, Eastman Kodak Company
The look
Kodak Portra 160 is a daylight colour negative rated ISO 160, made for portrait, fashion and commercial work in the studio or on location. Kodak gave it finer grain for scanning and enlargement while keeping the natural skin tones of the Portra family. Ashigrain renders it as a scan for your grade.
Best for
- Studio and location portraits
- Fashion and commercial work
- Big enlargements and high-resolution scans
Compare camera films
FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower means finer grainYears made
Ansco Color Negative 843Ansco Color Negative 843−3⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 16−3⅓ stops.0041951
Gevacolor Negative T 6.51Gevacolor Negative T 6.51−3⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 16−3⅓ stops.0071951
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process II−3⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 16−3⅓ stops.0191922
Trucolor (two-colour)Trucolor (two-colour)−3⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 16−3⅓ stops.0191945
Kodak Kodachrome 25Kodak Kodachrome 25−2⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 25−2⅔ stops.0141974
Agfacolor Typ 432Agfacolor Typ 432−2⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 32−2⅓ stops.0071962
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 40−2 stops.0292001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · −1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 50−1⅔ stops.0042011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · −1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 50−1⅔ stops.0112007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50−1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 50−1⅔ stops.0041995
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50−1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 50−1⅔ stops.0111998
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II−1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 64−1⅓ stops.0132002
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · −1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 64−1⅓ stops.0161974–2009
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 80−1 stop.0131997–
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 100−⅔ stop.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0132018–
Lucky Super GBR 100Lucky Super GBR 100−⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 100−⅔ stop.0052001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100−⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 100−⅔ stop.0052002
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0112003–12
Fujifilm Velvia 100Fujifilm Velvia 100Made since 2003, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0112003–
Kodak Ektachrome E100SKodak Ektachrome E100S−⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0151996
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100−⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 100−⅔ stop.0051998
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100−⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0111998
Kodak Ektachrome E100VSKodak Ektachrome E100VS−⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0171998
Fujifilm Provia 100FFujifilm Provia 100FMade since 2000, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0102000–
Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)−⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0181988
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0221992–2016
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200Lomography Redscale XR 50-200−⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 100−⅔ stop.0052025
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0211980–
Kodak T-Max 100Kodak T-Max 100Made since 1986, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0081986–
Ilford Delta 100Ilford Delta 100Made since 1992, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0071992–
Agfa Agfapan APX 100Agfa Agfapan APX 100−⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0071998
Fomapan 100 ClassicFomapan 100 ClassicMade since 2016, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 100−⅔ stop.0122016–
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247−⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 125−⅓ stop.0051983
Kodak Technical PanKodak Technical Pan−⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 125−⅓ stop.0081977
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160same speed vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain the sameEI 160same speed.0061995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain the sameEI 200+⅓ stop.0062010–
Kodak Verita 200DKodak Verita 200DMade since 2026, in production · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain the sameEI 200+⅓ stop.0062026–
Kodak Gold 200Kodak Gold 200Made since 2007, in production · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 200+⅓ stop.0082007–
Lucky Super GBR 200Lucky Super GBR 200+⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 200+⅓ stop.0072001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200+⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 200+⅓ stop.0052002
Kodak Ektachrome E200Kodak Ektachrome E200+⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 200+⅓ stop.0181997
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200+⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 200+⅓ stop.0141998
Kodak Kodachrome 200Kodak Kodachrome 200+⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 200+⅓ stop.0271986
Harman Phoenix 200Harman Phoenix 200+⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 200+⅓ stop.0072023
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 200+⅓ stop.0242003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · +⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain the sameEI 250+⅔ stop.0062009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250Fujifilm Eterna 250+⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 250+⅔ stop.0052006
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · +⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 250+⅔ stop.0052005–13
Kodak Vision 250DKodak Vision 250DMade 1997–2005 · +⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 250+⅔ stop.0071997–2005
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · +⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 250+⅔ stop.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · +⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 250+⅔ stop.0131960–
ORWO Wolfen NC400ORWO Wolfen NC400+1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 400+1⅓ stops.0052022
Kodak Portra 400Kodak Portra 400Made since 2010, in production · +1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 400+1⅓ stops.0072010–
ORWO Wolfen NC500ORWO Wolfen NC500+1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain the sameEI 400+1⅓ stops.0062022
Fujifilm Provia 400FFujifilm Provia 400F+1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 400+1⅓ stops.0172000
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400+1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain the sameEI 400+1⅓ stops.0062004
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · +1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 400+1⅓ stops.0052004–21
Kodak Ektachrome 400XKodak Ektachrome 400X+1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 400+1⅓ stops.0371992
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400+1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 400+1⅓ stops.0052006
LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedLomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissed+1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 400+1⅓ stops.0052024
Kodak Tri-X 400Kodak Tri-X 400Made since 1954, in production · +1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 400+1⅓ stops.0171954–
Kodak T-Max 400Kodak T-Max 400Made since 2007, in production · +1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 400+1⅓ stops.0102007–
Ilford HP5 PlusIlford HP5 PlusMade since 1989, in production · +1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 400+1⅓ stops.0161989–
Ilford Delta 400Ilford Delta 400Made since 2002, in production · +1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 400+1⅓ stops.0102002–
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 500+1⅔ stops.0072007–
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 500+1⅔ stops.0052009–13
Kodak Vision2 500TKodak Vision2 500T+1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 500+1⅔ stops.0092009
Fujicolor Reala 500DFujicolor Reala 500D+1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 500+1⅔ stops.0052001
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 500+1⅔ stops.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain finerEI 500+1⅔ stops.0052004–13
Anscochrome D/500Anscochrome D/500+1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 500+1⅔ stops.0381967
Eastman EXR 500TEastman EXR 500TMade 1989–1995 · +1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 500+1⅔ stops.0081989–95
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +2⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 800+2⅓ stops.0092000–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800+2⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 800+2⅓ stops.0072004
Kodak Vision 800TKodak Vision 800T+2⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 800+2⅓ stops.0101998
Konica Centuria Super 1600Konica Centuria Super 1600+3⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 1600+3⅓ stops.0072002
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+3⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 1600+3⅓ stops.0501999
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +4⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 3200+4⅓ stops.0181988–
Ilford Delta 3200Ilford Delta 3200Made since 1998, in production · +4⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 160 · grain coarserEI 3200+4⅓ stops.0191998–
Science & sources
A daylight still-photo colour negative rated at ISO 160, shown as a scan. Its curves, spectral sensitivity and MTF are digitised from Kodak's current sheet. Its grain and individual dye shapes are borrowed from Kodak Vision3 250D (5207), because the sheet publishes neither an RMS granularity nor separate dye curves.
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). 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 | 0.008462 | 0.00829 |
| G | 0.3 | 0.008217 | 0.008066 |
| B | 0.3 | 0.015161 | 0.014935 |
| R | 0.6 | 0.006421 | 0.00629 |
| G | 0.6 | 0.006543 | 0.006423 |
| B | 0.6 | 0.012202 | 0.01202 |
| R | 1 | 0.005129 | 0.005024 |
| G | 1 | 0.006283 | 0.006168 |
| B | 1 | 0.012423 | 0.012238 |
| R | 1.5 | 0.004355 | 0.004266 |
| G | 1.5 | 0.006067 | 0.005955 |
| B | 1.5 | 0.01221 | 0.012028 |
| B | 2 | 0.008878 | 0.008746 |
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.
- Colour-print timing and scan balance under arbitrary lighting are modelled. Scanner colour balance has no standard physical unit.
- 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 sheet prints only a Print Grain Index, which Kodak says cannot be compared with RMS granularity. Grain is proxied from Kodak Vision3 250D (5207), so the granularity values shown are that film's, not measurements of Portra 160.
- Only a midscale neutral and a minimum-density spectrum are printed, not separate cyan, magenta and yellow dye spectra. The individual dye shapes are borrowed from Kodak Vision3 250D (5207), a proxy rather than this film's dyes.
- No push or pull data are published. Push amounts, interlayer effects and grain size are approximations.
- The characteristic response beyond log H −3.03 to 0.95 is extrapolated.
- No antihalation layer is named; an undercoat is assumed. Halation strength, radius, layer weights and bloom are not measured.
- The sheet's reciprocity guidance is recorded but not modelled.
- The default output is a scan. Scan balance has no standard unit and is modelled.
- The printer lamp and filter spectra and the Status A grey aim used in this preview are approximated; the source does not publish the required spectral or laboratory aim data.
Reciprocity: not modelled. Exposure time has no effect on this film.
Film guide: assumptions and practical choices
Sources
- Exposure index: KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 160 Film Technical Data, E-4051, Revised 1-25, p. 1
- Process: KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 160 Film Technical Data, E-4051, Revised 1-25, p. 2
- Characteristic curves: KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 160 Film Technical Data, E-4051, Revised 1-25, p. 4