Kodak Ektachrome E100
The comeback kid — Kodak’s only slide film, reborn for the scanning era.
Color Palette
Neutral, clean rendering — optimized for scanning
Specifications
| Full Name | Kodak Professional Ektachrome E100 |
| Manufacturer | Eastman Kodak (USA) |
| Film Type | Color reversal (slide film) |
| ISO Speed | 100 |
| Process | E-6 |
| Grain | Extremely fine — RMS granularity of 8 |
| Exposure Latitude | Narrow (~1/2 to 1 stop) |
| Contrast | Medium |
| Available Formats | 35mm, 120, 4x5, Super 8 |
Reciprocity Failure Calculator
When exposures exceed one second, Ektachrome E100 requires additional time to compensate for reciprocity failure. Ektachrome has the best reciprocity performance of the three current slide films, with the lowest correction exponent (1.20).
For all 22 films, see the reciprocity calculator.
Push & Pull Processing
Slide film has an extremely narrow exposure latitude of approximately 1/2 stop — far less forgiving than negative film. Ektachrome E100 can be pushed 1 stop with acceptable results, but push/pull processing with E-6 is more challenging than with C-41 or B&W films. Communicate any push or pull instructions clearly to your E-6 lab.
| Rating | Effective ISO | Stops | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EI 64 | 64 | −2/3 | Pull ½ stop — slightly lower contrast |
| EI 100 | 100 | 0 | Box speed — optimal neutral rendering |
| EI 200 | 200 | +1 | Push 1 stop — increased contrast, acceptable results |
Unlike color negative film which tolerates 3–5 stops of overexposure, slide film demands precise metering. Bracketing in 1/3 stop increments is recommended for any critical work. A dedicated light meter app or handheld meter is strongly advised.
Character & Personality
Grain
Extremely fine grain with an RMS granularity of 8, matching Provia 100F as one of the finest-grained films available. The grain is virtually invisible in normal viewing and scanning conditions. Images appear sharp, clean, and detailed with smooth tonal transitions. In 120 and larger formats, grain is completely absent from any reasonable viewing distance.
Exposure Latitude
Narrow but reasonable for slide film — approximately 1/2 to 1 stop of latitude in each direction. More forgiving of slight overexposure than Velvia 50 but still requires careful metering. The film maintains good shadow and highlight detail within its usable range. This is still far narrower than color negative film: where Portra 400 gives you 5 or more stops of latitude, Ektachrome gives you roughly 1. Precise metering is not optional.
Color & Tonal Character
Natural color rendition with moderately enhanced saturation. The color palette is distinctly different from Fuji slide films — more neutral and less vivid. Ektachrome produces clean, accurate colors with a neutral gray scale and pleasing skin tones. Designed for scanning, it has an unusually wide dynamic range for slide film. The overall look is refined and natural, sitting between the extreme saturation of Velvia and the accurate neutrality of Provia. Less post-processing color correction is needed compared to Fuji slide films.
Best Suited For
- General-purpose slide photography
- Landscape and travel where Kodak color science is preferred
- Portraits where accurate skin tones matter
- Commercial and product photography
- Scanning-optimized slide work
- Long exposures — best reciprocity performance of any slide film
- Super 8 motion picture work (the only current-production E-6 Super 8 film)
Available Formats & Pricing
| Format | Approx. Price |
|---|---|
| 35mm (36 exp) | ~$18–22 USD |
| 120 (5-pack) | ~$60–75 USD |
| Super 8 | Available from Kodak |
E-6 processing adds approximately $10–15 per roll on top of the film cost. Ektachrome is generally easier to find in stock than Fuji's slide film offerings. Prices as of early 2026.
Development & Processing Notes
E-6 process — the same specialized processing required by all current slide films. Ektachrome was designed with modern scanning workflows in mind: the low D-min (bright whites) translates well to digital post-processing.
The neutral color balance means less correction is needed in post compared to Fuji slide films. Cross-processing in C-41 yields distinctive high-contrast, warm-toned results for experimental work. Ektachrome E100 is reported to be more consistent batch-to-batch than some recent Fuji slide film production runs.
Relaunched in 2018 after being discontinued in 2012, Ektachrome’s return was one of the biggest events in the analog photography revival. It is Kodak’s sole remaining slide film and the only current-production E-6 film in Super 8 format.
Sources & Further Reading
Manufacturer Data
- Kodak Ektachrome E100 product page (manufacturer)
- Kodak Technical Publication E-4052 — Ektachrome E100 Data Sheet
Sample Photos
Reviews & Resources
Shoot Ektachrome E100 with TLR Companion
TLR Companion is a free light meter app with built-in reciprocity correction for Ektachrome E100 and 21 other film stocks. Precise metering is critical with slide film — load Ektachrome as your active film and the app will automatically correct your long exposures. Track every frame on your roll and never lose count again.