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Colour negative · 2006 onward

Kodak Portra 400

Kodak's 400-speed portrait negative for changing light.

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Planned media

Kodak's 400-speed portrait negative; its tone curve and sharpness come from Portra 400NC. Original vs Ashigrain.

Kodak Portra 400

stock
Kodak Portra 400
mode
Scan
film_format
35mm still (135)
Exposure index
400
Daylight
Introduced
2010
In production
Process
C-41
Prints on
Scan

About the film

Kodak Portra 400 is a daylight ISO 400 colour negative for Process C-41, and Kodak dates it to 2010: Eastman Kodak's release of 14 September that year introduced it and said it would ship from October in 35 mm, 120/220 and 4x5.

Before it, Kodak's 400-speed Portra films were 400NC and 400VC, sold in one family data sheet with 160NC, 160VC and Portra 800. The release said the new film replaced both 400NC and 400VC, which Kodak expected to sell out by the end of 2010. Kodak said it drew on the technology of its Vision motion-picture films and used antenna dye sensitisation in the cyan and magenta layers, among other changes, for finer grain. It was aimed at portrait and fashion work, and at nature, travel and outdoor photography where the action is fast or the light cannot be controlled, and Kodak planned to show it at Photokina in Cologne that September. In 2011 Portra 160 replaced 160NC and 160VC in the same way and shared the Vision technology of Portra 400. Kodak Alaris now publishes the data sheet, revised in January 2025, in 135, 120 and sheet sizes. Its characteristic-curve and MTF charts are the same drawings as those for 400NC in the 2009 family sheet.

Sources for this history
  1. KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 400 Film Technical Data (E-4050, January 2025), Kodak Alaris Inc.
  2. Kodak Continues to Enhance Award-Winning Professional Film Portfolio, Eastman Kodak Company
  3. KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 160NC, 160VC, 400NC, 400VC, and 800 Films Technical Data (E-4040, February 2009), Eastman Kodak Company
  4. Kodak Continues to Bring New Professional Films to Market with KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 160 Film, Eastman Kodak Company

The look

Kodak Portra 400 is a daylight colour negative rated ISO 400, made for portraits and fashion and for travel and outdoor work where the light cannot be controlled. Kodak built it with technology from its Vision motion-picture films for finer grain. Ashigrain renders it as a scan for your grade.

Kodak Portra 400 sample frame: OriginalKodak Portra 400 sample frame: Ashigrain
Kodak Portra 400 sample frame: OriginalKodak Portra 400 sample frame: Ashigrain
Kodak Portra 400 sample frame: OriginalKodak Portra 400 sample frame: Ashigrain

Best for

  1. Portraits and fashion on location
  2. Travel and outdoor work in changing light
  3. Fast action where the light cannot be controlled

Compare camera films

FilmSpeedGrain, RMS σD · lower means finer grainYears made
CinefotocolorCinefotocolor−5⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 8−5⅔ stops.0191948
GasparcolorGasparcolor−5 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 12−5 stops.0181932
Ansco Color Negative 843Ansco Color Negative 843−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 16−4⅔ stops.0041951
Gevacolor Negative T 6.51Gevacolor Negative T 6.51−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 16−4⅔ stops.0071951
Technicolor Process IITechnicolor Process II−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 16−4⅔ stops.0191922
Trucolor (two-colour)Trucolor (two-colour)−4⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 16−4⅔ stops.0191945
ORWOCOLOR UK 14ORWOCOLOR UK 14−4⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 20−4⅓ stops.0111964
Kodak Kodachrome 25Kodak Kodachrome 25−4 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 25−4 stops.0141974
Agfacolor Typ 432Agfacolor Typ 432−3⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 32−3⅔ stops.0071962
Svema DS-5MSvema DS-5M−3⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 40−3⅓ stops.0051979
Kodak Aerochrome III 1443Kodak Aerochrome III 1443−3⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 40−3⅓ stops.0292001
Kodak Vision3 50DKodak Vision3 50DMade since 2011, in production · −3 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0042011–
Fujifilm Velvia 50Fujifilm Velvia 50Made since 2007, in production · −3 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 50−3 stops.0112007–
Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50Agfa Agfacolor Ultra 50−3 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0041995
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 50−3 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 50−3 stops.0111998
Konica Impresa 50Konica Impresa 50−3 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 50−3 stops.0051998
DufaycolorDufaycolor−3 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 50−3 stops.0121935
Fujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type IIFujifilm Fujichrome 64T Type II−2⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 64−2⅔ stops.0132002
Kodak Kodachrome 64Kodak Kodachrome 64Made 1974–2009 · −2⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 64−2⅔ stops.0161974–2009
ORWOCOLOR NC 3ORWOCOLOR NC 3−2⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 64−2⅔ stops.0071972
Polaroid Type 669Polaroid Type 669−2⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 80−2⅓ stops.0231981
Ilford Ortho PlusIlford Ortho PlusMade since 1997, in production · −2⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 80−2⅓ stops.0131997–
Svema LN-9Svema LN-9−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 95−2 stops.0071988
Kodak Ektar 100Kodak Ektar 100Made since 2008, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052008–
Kodak Ektachrome 100DKodak Ektachrome 100DMade since 2018, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0132018–
Lucky Super GBR 100Lucky Super GBR 100−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 100−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052002
Fujifilm Astia 100FFujifilm Astia 100FMade 2003–2012 · −2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0112003–12
Fujifilm Velvia 100Fujifilm Velvia 100Made since 2003, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0112003–
Kodak Ektachrome E100SKodak Ektachrome E100S−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0151996
Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100Agfa Agfacolor Optima II 100−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0051998
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 100−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0111998
Kodak Ektachrome E100VSKodak Ektachrome E100VS−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0171998
Fujifilm Provia 100FFujifilm Provia 100FMade since 2000, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0102000–
Gevacolor 682Gevacolor 682−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0061979
Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)Kodak Ektachrome 100 Plus (EPP)−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0181988
Fujifilm FP-100CFujifilm FP-100CMade 1992–2016 · −2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0221992–2016
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200Lomography Redscale XR 50-200−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 100−2 stops.0052025
Fomapan R 100Fomapan R 100Made since 1980, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0211980–
Tasma NK-2Tasma NK-2−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0121980
Kodak T-Max 100Kodak T-Max 100Made since 1986, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0081986–
Ilford Delta 100Ilford Delta 100Made since 1992, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 100−2 stops.0071992–
Agfa Agfapan APX 100Agfa Agfapan APX 100−2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 100−2 stops.0071998
Fomapan 100 ClassicFomapan 100 ClassicMade since 2016, in production · −2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 100−2 stops.0122016–
Eastman Color Negative 5247Eastman Color Negative 5247−1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 125−1⅔ stops.0051983
Kodak Technical PanKodak Technical Pan−1⅔ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 125−1⅔ stops.0081977
Kodak Portra 160Kodak Portra 160Made since 2011, in production · −1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 160−1⅓ stops.0062011–
Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160Agfa Agfacolor Portrait XPS 160−1⅓ stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 160−1⅓ stops.0061995
Kodak Vision3 200TKodak Vision3 200TMade since 2010, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0062010–
Kodak Verita 200DKodak Verita 200DMade since 2026, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0062026–
Fujifilm C200Fujifilm C200−1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0052017
Kodak Gold 200Kodak Gold 200Made since 2007, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0082007–
Lucky Super GBR 200Lucky Super GBR 200−1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 200−1 stop.0072001
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 200−1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 200−1 stop.0052002
Kodak Ektachrome E200Kodak Ektachrome E200−1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0181997
Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200Agfa Agfachrome RSX II 200−1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0141998
Kodak Kodachrome 200Kodak Kodachrome 200−1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0271986
Harman Phoenix 200Harman Phoenix 200−1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 200−1 stop.0072023
Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Kodak Tri-X Reversal 7266Made since 2003, in production · −1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 200−1 stop.0242003–
Kodak Vision3 250DKodak Vision3 250DMade since 2009, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0062009–
Fujifilm Eterna 250Fujifilm Eterna 250−⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0052006
Fujifilm Eterna 250DFujifilm Eterna 250DMade 2005–2013 · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 250−⅔ stop.0052005–13
Kodak Vision 250DKodak Vision 250DMade 1997–2005 · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 250−⅔ stop.0071997–2005
Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Kodak Aerocolor IV 2460Made since 2009, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 250−⅔ stop.0132009–
Eastman Double-X 5222Eastman Double-X 5222Made since 1960, in production · −⅔ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 250−⅔ stop.0131960–
ORWO Wolfen NC400ORWO Wolfen NC400same speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052022
Kodak Portra 400Kodak Portra 400Made since 2010, in production · this filmEI 400this film.0072010–
ORWO Wolfen NC500ORWO Wolfen NC500same speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0062022
Fujifilm Provia 400FFujifilm Provia 400Fsame speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0172000
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 400same speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0062004
Fujifilm Pro 400HFujifilm Pro 400HMade 2004–2021 · same speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052004–21
Kodak Ektachrome 400XKodak Ektachrome 400Xsame speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0371992
Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400same speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052006
LomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedLomoChrome Color '92 Sun-kissedsame speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 400same speed.0052024
Kodak Tri-X 400Kodak Tri-X 400Made since 1954, in production · same speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0171954–
Kodak T-Max 400Kodak T-Max 400Made since 2007, in production · same speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0102007–
Ilford HP5 PlusIlford HP5 PlusMade since 1989, in production · same speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0161989–
Ilford Delta 400Ilford Delta 400Made since 2002, in production · same speed vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 400same speed.0102002–
Kodak Vision3 500TKodak Vision3 500TMade since 2007, in production · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 500+⅓ stop.0072007–
Kodak 500T 5230Kodak 500T 5230+⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 500+⅓ stop.0092011
Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Fujifilm Eterna Vivid 500Made 2009–2013 · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052009–13
Kodak Vision2 500TKodak Vision2 500T+⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 500+⅓ stop.0092009
Fujicolor Reala 500DFujicolor Reala 500D+⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052001
Kodak Vision2 Expression 500TKodak Vision2 Expression 500T+⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 500+⅓ stop.0092003
Fujifilm Eterna 500Fujifilm Eterna 500Made 2004–2013 · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain finerEI 500+⅓ stop.0052004–13
Anscochrome D/500Anscochrome D/500+⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 500+⅓ stop.0381967
Eastman EXR 500TEastman EXR 500TMade 1989–1995 · +⅓ stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 500+⅓ stop.0081989–95
Kodak Portra 800Kodak Portra 800Made since 2000, in production · +1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 800+1 stop.0092000–
Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800Ferrania Solaris FG Plus 800+1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 800+1 stop.0072004
Kodak Vision 800TKodak Vision 800T+1 stop vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 800+1 stop.0101998
Konica Centuria Super 1600Konica Centuria Super 1600+2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain the sameEI 1600+2 stops.0072002
Kodak Ektachrome P1600Kodak Ektachrome P1600+2 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 1600+2 stops.0501999
Kodak T-Max P3200Kodak T-Max P3200Made since 1988, in production · +3 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 3200+3 stops.0181988–
Ilford Delta 3200Ilford Delta 3200Made since 1998, in production · +3 stops vs Kodak Portra 400 · grain coarserEI 3200+3 stops.0191998–

Science & sources

Kodak Portra 400 calibration chart: OriginalKodak Portra 400 calibration chart: Processed
Synthetic test chart (skin tones, Munsell greys, colour bars, tone and hue ramps, step wedge, memory-colour roll-off, halation star) before and after the full Ashigrain pipeline: scan branch, Super 35 4-perf, default controls, exposure +0.00 stops to match the original's mid-grey, frame 0.

A daylight still-photo colour negative rated at ISO 400, shown as a scan. Its characteristic curves and MTF come from Kodak's current sheet, whose charts are the drawings Kodak printed for Portra 400NC in 2009. Its grain is borrowed from Kodak Vision3 500T (5219) and its individual dye shapes 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

Density against log H (lux-seconds) for channels R, G, B. R circles, G squares, B triangles, N diamonds; filled markers and solid lines are digitised, open markers and dashed lines are simulated: digitised and simulated.−4.0−3.0−2.0−1.00.01.0log H (lux-seconds)0.01.02.03.04.0Density

RMS granularity

RMS granularity (σD) against Density for channels R, G, B. R circles, G squares, B triangles, N diamonds; filled markers and solid lines are datasheet-based, open markers and dashed lines are simulated: datasheet-based and simulated.0.00.51.01.52.0Density0.00.010.020.030.04RMS granularity (σD)

Density variation (σD). Where the datasheet gives a single grain value, the response away from that point is an approximation.

ChannelDensityDatasheet-based σDModel σD
R0.30.0096870.009544
G0.30.0119130.011682
B0.30.0307160.030055
R0.60.0066240.006526
G0.60.0090050.00883
B0.60.0240740.023556
R10.0062340.006141
G10.0072950.007154
B10.0191510.018739
R1.50.0059290.005841
G1.50.0078470.007695
B1.50.0201650.019732
B20.0161360.015789

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 500T (5219), so the granularity values shown are that film's, not measurements of Portra 400.
  • 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.
  • The characteristic-curve and MTF charts on the current sheet are the same drawings Kodak printed for Portra 400NC in 2009. The model takes them as printed for Portra 400.
  • No push or pull data are published. Push amounts, interlayer effects and grain size are approximations.
  • The characteristic response beyond log H −3.44 to 0.56 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

  1. Exposure index: KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 400 Film Technical Data, E-4050, Revised 1-25, p. 1
  2. Process: KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 400 Film Technical Data, E-4050, Revised 1-25, p. 2
  3. Characteristic curves: KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 400 Film Technical Data, E-4050, Revised 1-25, p. 4

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