Kodak Gold/Color Plus Question

[TXForester]

Are these films all old stock or are they still in production? Every place I find them online, the price seems so cheap, that it makes me think they are old stock. I'm looking for an alternative to Ektar and Portra for every day use. I'd reserve the more expensive films, including slides, for more important photos.

Thanks

 

[Lauffray]

I guess so, last I checked Freestyle had them, you can buy a few and check the expiry date, if it's close then it's old stock

 

[sevo]

Are these films all old stock or are they still in production?

That might depend on your definition of old stock. They obviously are freshly packed, given new brandings and updated box designs, but the origin and age of the emulsions inside might vary.

 

[Photo_Smith]

Kodak state that colourplus is 'low price general purpose' which is Kodak speak for last generation technology (although freshly coated) stock.

Last years tech at a competitive price. I find it low contrast and slightly grainy compared to the Fuji equivalent C200 (AKA Agfa Vista plus).

 

[Joosep]

My ColorPlus seems to be rather fresh. Expiry dates are far...

 

[sevo]

Kodak state that colourplus is 'low price general purpose' which is Kodak speak for last generation technology

But what would last generation be in a age that has no more evolution of colour film? It now probably is more profitable to make the latest most expensive emulsion only and sell it under all brandings than to coat a variety of same sensitivity films.

 

[divewizard]

But what would last generation be in a age that has no more evolution of colour film? It now probably is more profitable to make the latest most expensive emulsion only and sell it under all brandings than to coat a variety of same sensitivity films.

I think the new Ultramax 400 is the same film as Portra 400. The spec sheets are specified under slightly different conditions so they will not be identical. However they are close, and look the same to me.

I was not a fan of Kodak Gold, but I like both the new Portra 400 and Ultramax 400.

 

[Photo_Smith]

But what would last generation be in a age that has no more evolution of colour film? It now probably is more profitable to make the latest most expensive emulsion only and sell it under all brandings than to coat a variety of same sensitivity films.

Kodak have done this in the past, so they have form; think Farbwelt (VR200) and the films they formulate for emerging markets.
Other film manufacturers like Ilford sell previous tech under other brands (Kentmere) and Fuji sell old formula films like C200.

CP 200 is very different to Gold 200 and C200 (agfa Vista Plus) Isn't Superia 200.

I think they do this as a differentiation from 'premium' shipping products.

 

[Photo_Smith]

I think the new Ultramax 400 is the same film as Portra 400.

I don't think it is, I have emulsion record info for both and they are slightly different.

 

[Mablo]

I don't think it is, I have emulsion record info for both and they are slightly different.

I agree. Both films look and feel the very much the same when shot at EI 400 but Ultramax 400 is not capable of shooting at EI 800-1600 like Portra 400.

 

[clayne]

I agree. Both films look and feel the very much the same when shot at EI 400 but Ultramax 400 is not capable of shooting at EI 800-1600 like Portra 400.

Of course it's capable. The results *may* be slightly worse though.

Any competent photographer should be able to use any of the consumer color films and produce reasonable results. They're not that bad.

http://www.kodak.com/ek/uploadedFiles/Content/Consumer_Products/Films/E7023_UltraMax400.pdf
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/e4050/e4050.pdf

Most of what gives the Kodak consumer films a bad rap are consumer's themselves - bad technique, cheap cameras, general abuse, bad reproduction, scanning, etc. Go search on Flickr for interesting images and you'll find some jewels:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=kodak ultramax&ss=1&s=int
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=kodak gold&ss=1&s=int

 

[charjohncarter]

I bought some Gold 100 about 3 months ago and the X date is normal. These were from B&H. I just wish they made it in 120.

 

[TXForester]

I bought some Gold 100 about 3 months ago and the X date is normal. These were from B&H. I just wish they made it in 120.

That answers the question. Thanks.

 

[charjohncarter]

I use it for everything (color):

Underwater, in a cheapo Canon semi-underwater, and a Unirex with flash.