Kodak Portra 160
The refined portrait film for bright-light perfection
Color Palette
Subtle warmth, low saturation — refined pastels
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Eastman Kodak (USA) |
| Film Type | Color negative |
| ISO Speed | 160 |
| Process | C-41 |
| Grain | Very fine — one of the finest-grained color negative films |
| Exposure Latitude | Very wide, especially forgiving of overexposure |
| Color Palette | Warm, natural — low saturation with superb skin tones |
| Available Formats | 35mm, 120, 4x5, 8x10 |
Reciprocity Failure Calculator
When exposures exceed one second, Kodak Portra 160 requires additional time to compensate for reciprocity failure. Color negative films generally have less published reciprocity data than B&W films, but Kodak provides guidelines for their professional emulsions.
Push & Pull Processing
Portra 160 is best known for its performance at box speed or slightly overexposed. Many photographers routinely shoot it at EI 100 for optimal smoothness. Push processing is possible but uncommon, as the film loses its fine-grain advantage at higher speeds.
| Rating | Effective ISO | Stops | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pull −2 | 40 | −2 | Ultra-smooth, extremely low contrast — tripod required |
| Pull −1 | 80 | −1 | Even finer grain, softer tones — excellent for bright sun |
| Box Speed | 160 | 0 | Normal development |
| Push +1 | 320 | +1 | Slight contrast increase, grain still very fine |
| Push +2 | 640 | +2 | Noticeable grain increase, loses the smooth Portra look |
| Push +3 | 1280 | +3 | Significant grain and contrast — not recommended |
Character & Personality
Grain
Very fine — one of the finest-grained color negative films available. Portra 160 produces extremely smooth, nearly grainless images. The grain is finer than Portra 400 and approaches the quality of Ektar 100 while retaining the characteristic Portra look. When properly exposed, there is very little visible grain — images can have an almost digital smoothness.
Exposure Latitude
Very wide and extremely forgiving, especially to overexposure. The film handles overexposure beautifully, with many photographers routinely shooting it at EI 100 (2/3 stop over) for optimal results. It holds up well to 3+ stops of overexposure. Underexposure tolerance is also good but more limited than Portra 400.
Color Palette
Warm, natural color palette with low saturation and excellent skin tone reproduction. Colors are subtle, refined, and realistic rather than bold or punchy. The film produces smooth color transitions and maintains excellent detail in both highlights and shadows. Lower contrast than Portra 400, making it ideal for soft, natural-looking portraits. Some of the most famous film wedding photography in the world is shot on Portra 160 in medium format.
Best Suited For
- Portrait photography in bright conditions
- Wedding photography — outdoor ceremonies and golden hour sessions
- Lifestyle and fashion editorials
- Landscape photography when natural, muted tones are desired
- Studio work with controlled lighting
- Any situation demanding the finest possible grain from a color negative
Available Formats & Pricing
| Format | Approx. Price |
|---|---|
| 35mm (36 exp) | ~$14-16 USD |
| 35mm (5-pack) | ~$70-80 USD |
| 120 (5-pack) | ~$55-65 USD |
| 4x5 (10 sheets) | ~$55-65 USD |
Prices are approximate and vary by retailer. Current as of early 2026.
Development Notes
Standard C-41 processing — fully compatible with any C-41 lab. Designed for scanning with optimized micro-structure. Slight overexposure produces denser negatives that scan with smoother tones. Color casts are minimal and easily corrected. Push processing is possible but not common, as the film loses its fine-grain advantage. The low contrast means images may benefit from a slight contrast boost in post-processing for web use.
Sources & Further Reading
Manufacturer Data
Sample Photos
Reviews & Resources
Shoot Kodak Portra 160 with TLR Companion
TLR Companion is a free light meter app with built-in reciprocity correction for Kodak Portra 160 and 21 other film stocks. Meter your exposures accurately with camera-specific settings for 48 TLR cameras.