Could this be the most underrated Kodak film stock under the portra line? 400 and 800 often get the most attention due to their versatility and low light performance. As a result, Portra 160 is often over shadowed, however, with the lowest ISO comes the finest grain. When you have the right lighting conditions, this film can produce stunning results…
If you’re keen to give Kodak Portra 160 a go, here’s everything you need to know about this film stock, along with sample images.
What Is Kodak Portra 160 Film?
Kodak Portra 160 is a professional colour negative film known for its exceptionally fine grain, soft contrast, and accurate colour reproduction.
Rated at ISO 160, it performs best in good natural light and is particularly popular for portraits, weddings, and travel photography.
Portra 160 produces natural skin tones, subtle pastel colours, and excellent detail, making it a favourite among photographers who want a clean, timeless film look. It is available in both 35mm film and 120 formats and offers wide exposure latitude, allowing for flexible shooting in a variety of lighting conditions.
Kodak Portra 160 Review
With a low ISO, a good amount of daylight or a studio setup is required to get the best out of this film stock, which again suggests why 400 and 800 are often the most popular of the line.
However, if you shoot it in the right lighting conditions, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how incredible the shots come out. It produces pleasing colours with relatively low contrast, but with a rich dynamic range.
Kodak Portra 160 is one of the finest colour negative films ever made. Its combination of incredibly fine grain, natural colours, excellent sharpness and huge exposure latitude makes it a premium choice for photographers seeking a clean, timeless aesthetic.
While it isn’t the cheapest option and performs best in bright conditions as we’ve mentioned, the image quality more than justifies its reputation. It’s an excellent choice for portraits, weddings and anyone looking for beautifully rendered, true-to-life photographs.
What we liked
- Exceptional fine grain – One of the finest-grained colour negative films available, producing incredibly clean scans and enlargements.
- Beautiful skin tones – Natural, flattering and true-to-life, making it a favourite for portrait photographers.
- Excellent dynamic range – Handles highlights and shadows extremely well, making it forgiving if exposure isn’t perfect.
- High sharpness – Captures plenty of detail without looking overly clinical.
- Natural colour palette – Colours are soft and accurate rather than overly saturated.
Things to consider
- Needs plenty of light – At ISO 160, it’s best suited to sunny days, studio work, or when using a tripod indoors.
- More expensive – As a professional film, it costs noticeably more than consumer options like Kodak Gold or Ultramax.
- May look too neutral for some – If you prefer punchy, vibrant colours, Portra 160 can appear subdued.
Our brand ambassador Chris Evans puts this film stock to the test in the video below. See what Chris makes of Kodak Portra 160 along with plenty of sample images from his trip to Tampa in Florida.
More Kodak Portra 160 Sample Images
A range of subjects from architecture to animals to show you how well this film stock can perform in the right lighting conditions.
Have you tried Kodak Portra 160 before? Let us know what you think of this film stock in the comments below!