New Versions:Kodak Professional Portra 400NC and 400VC films

[Athena]

FYI:

NEWSLINE: Professional Markets Monday, January 07, 2008

Kodak introduces improved versions of Kodak Professional Portra 400-speed color negative films

Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester , N.Y. , is offering improved versions of its Kodak Professional Portra 400NC and 400VC films. The enhancements build on the introduction of improved Portra films in 2006. The finer grain of the Portra 400NC and 400VC films, combined with the spectacular skin tone of the entire portfolio, enable professional photographers to create striking photographs, says Kodak. The technology innovations also result in better scanning, the company adds. The new Kodak Professional Portra films will be available worldwide on a stock-turnover basis beginning in the first quarter of this year.
©Photo Marketing Association International

 

[Bingley]

Ooooo, Portra 400NC is one of my favorite color films. Must try the new versions out. Thanks for posting!

 

[Rhoyle]

Interesting... I remember reading a couple of years back that Kodak closed down its film R+D unit. New versions of Portra, TMaxx and TriX have appeard since then. Seems they've changed their minds...

 

[Bryce]

What, Kodak send confusing/ conflicting/ mixed messages? Come on!
Good news about the new film. I've only shot 400 NC once and had it scanned by the place that does the processing. Came out quite noisy, but was that the film's doings or the scanner's? Unfortunately I seldom use c-41 film any more, so probably won't find out.

 

[Prosaic]

Thanks Kodak!

 

[lemos]

I feel like all of us should just send an e-mail to kodak just saying thanks

 

[Trius]

Interesting... I remember reading a couple of years back that Kodak closed down its film R+D unit. New versions of Portra, TMaxx and TriX have appeard since then. Seems they've changed their minds...

Changed their minds? How about they never shut down film R+D at all, but whatever you read was just plain wrong? The main reason they never shut down film R+D is that most movies are still made on film, and film for cinema is going to be around for quite some time.

The other reason is that Mary Jane Hellyar, who is the VP over the film unit, seems to be committed to film and has quite skillfully leveraged the considerable knowledge and talent within Kodak's R+D resources to translate those resources into progress not only for film stock SKUs but also still stock.

The embarrassing thing is that I missed the latest announcement! 😱

Earl

 

[Film dino]

Kodak Gold

Kodak Gold

Interesting... I remember reading a couple of years back that Kodak closed down its film R+D unit. New versions of Portra, TMaxx and TriX have appeard since then. Seems they've changed their minds...

I seem to remember that this was about not putting any more development into the consumer colour films..
David

 

[Trius]

I seem to remember that this was about not putting any more development into the consumer colour films..
David

Without an exact citation, who knows. Perez (CEO and imaging wannabe) made some silly, inscrutable statements about film some time ago, but no one should listen to him. Lots of Kodakers don't. Mary Jane's the one when it comes to film. She doesn't talk a lot publicly, it seems; she just produces.

 

[Rhoyle]

My brother's former company, located 30 miles south of Rochester, used to do a lot of contract work for the Big Yellow. When he was there, the word on the street was that there was a big feud going on between Kodak's digital and film divisions. They've since cut way back on their consumer film products, killed off BW paper, but seem to keep the pro films and chemicals in production. Let's face it, there aren't any more point and shoot film cameras available anymore. Digital P+S has wiped them out. But there are still enough people (like many of us) using Kodak's high-
end stuff to turn a profit. How long will that last? We'll see... BTW, I think I'm hijacking this thread-my apologies.

BH

 

[venchka]

OK, I get it now. It helps if I read the press release before running my mouth. OK, a small incremental improvement to already fine film. Kudos to Kodak!

Hold on. Is this a new & improved version of the new & improved versions released in late 2006-2007? Remember the 4 free rolls of film that some got and some didn't? Maybe this is just a reinforcing announcement. Maybe the new & improved film is just now making it to the shelves after the old film was exhausted?

For what it's worth, I used my free rolls of 135 400 NC and 135 400 VC. I liked them. I haven't used the new 120 film yet. Search around the RFF. There's a thread or 3 with samples of the new film somewhere.

EDIT to ADD: Found the thread. This is the new & improved 400 VC I got from Kodak in early 2007. Kodak 400VC-2 to be exact.

Just a hunch, but I think this is the same film Kodak mentioned in their press release linked above. They reworked the entire Portra line.

 

[palec]

It's the 3rd version, the PDF on Kodak site says the edgeprint will be KODAK 400NC-3 and KODAK 400VC-3

http://www.kodak.com/global/plugins...tra400QAs.pdf?id=0.2.26.14.7.14.22.5.14&lc=en

 

[charjohncarter]

Thanks for the post. It does seem that Kodak is still in the game.

 

[venchka]

Good news

Good news

It's the 3rd version, the PDF on Kodak site says the edgeprint will be KODAK 400NC-3 and KODAK 400VC-3

http://www.kodak.com/global/plugins...tra400QAs.pdf?id=0.2.26.14.7.14.22.5.14&lc=en

In the grand scheme of film improvements, that is approaching Warp Factor 1! I wonder if they found a way to use the new Tmax 400 technology in the Portra 400?

One more time: Good on Kodak!

 

[dazedgonebye]

Wow...then that's two changes in a very short period of time.

Cool.

 

[Ming The Merciless]

Kodak Portra 400VC is just about the only color film I use and I have been doing so for years. Now if only the labs who still process film could stay open for another 10 or 20 years.

 

[Gray Fox]

I imagine B&H will stock it. I'll have to drop them a note to see when they think they'll have some. My G2 and its lenses love the 400 VC and my aging Microtek 4000 does nice scans via Vuescan. Just in time for spring shooting here in the South. Thanks Kodak. Hmmm...wonder how it will look in a 6x9 via my Moskva 5?

 

[iamzip]

I've always liked Fuji, but it's good to see more than one manufacturer continuing to develop film technology. Competition improves the breed!

 

[jbf]

I feel like all of us should just send an e-mail to kodak just saying thanks

Done.

Just sent them an email. 🙂

 

[John Shriver]

The technology in the new TMY400-2 is the same technology that went into Portra 400NC-2 -- the "Vision 2" two-electron sensitization. Portra 400NC-3 is a different change, new "Dye Layering Technology".

The Eastman movie films are now starting the Vision 3 technology. Should filter down to C-41 films in another year or two.

Note that the consumer C-41 films also go through revisions periodically, but often with no fanfare. Some of them are up around -8 by now.

But don't hold your breath for any changes to the E-6 films. Frozen until discontinuance, I suspect. Too small a market, and the E-6 labs are all dying, going out of process control due to too little volume.

Kodak is focusing their much smaller film R&D budget where they can have the most profit impact. I suspect that the capital crunch is making them make better decisions on where to invest. Somebody took a chance with the TMY400-2 revision, hopefully they will see a positive return.

But they can't subsidize money-losing films like the infrared products, or the first-generation E-6 Ektachromes, anymore.