Kodak Portra 400
The gold standard of color portrait film
Color Palette
Warm, natural palette — the gold standard for skin tones
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Eastman Kodak (USA) |
| Film Type | Color negative |
| ISO Speed | 400 |
| Process | C-41 |
| Grain | Remarkably fine for ISO 400 — T-GRAIN emulsion technology |
| Exposure Latitude | Legendary — EI 100 to EI 800 with minimal quality loss |
| Color Palette | Warm, natural — medium saturation with excellent skin tones |
| Available Formats | 35mm, 120, 4x5, 8x10 |
Reciprocity Failure Calculator
When exposures exceed one second, Kodak Portra 400 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 400 is exceptionally versatile in push and pull processing. Overexposing by one stop (shooting at EI 200) is widely considered the ideal strategy for the smoothest tones and finest grain. The film pushes cleanly to EI 800 and can reach EI 1600 with increased grain and contrast.
| Rating | Effective ISO | Stops | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pull −2 | 100 | −2 | Extremely smooth, pastel tones — a popular choice |
| Pull −1 | 200 | −1 | Widely considered the optimal exposure for Portra 400 |
| Box Speed | 400 | 0 | Normal development |
| Push +1 | 800 | +1 | Usable grain increase, slightly higher contrast |
| Push +2 | 1600 | +2 | Noticeable grain, warmer tones, higher contrast |
| Push +3 | 3200 | +3 | Heavy grain, significant contrast boost — emergency use |
Character & Personality
Grain
Remarkably fine for ISO 400 — Kodak calls it "the world's finest grain high-speed color negative film." Portra 400 uses Kodak's latest T-GRAIN emulsion technology to achieve grain that is astonishingly fine for a 400-speed film. When properly exposed, grain is clean, subtle, and unobtrusive. Even in 35mm, the grain supports large prints and high-resolution scans. In 120 format, grain is essentially invisible.
Exposure Latitude
Legendary — one of the widest of any color film ever made. Portra 400 can be shot anywhere from EI 100 to EI 800 with minimal quality loss. It handles overexposure exceptionally well; overexposing by 1-2 stops actually produces some of the most desirable results, yielding softer tones and smoother skin. This makes it arguably the most forgiving color negative film ever produced.
Color Palette
Warm, natural color palette with medium contrast and excellent skin tone reproduction. Colors are naturally saturated without being garish. The warm base enhances skin tones, making them appear healthy and flattering. Neutral contrast preserves detail in both highlights and shadows. The overall look is what many photographers consider the "gold standard" for color film — the signature "Portra look" of soft, warm, pastel-like tones has defined the aesthetic of film photography's modern revival.
Best Suited For
- Portrait photography — the definitive portrait film
- Wedding and event photography
- Fashion and editorial work
- Travel and documentary photography
- Everyday general-purpose color shooting
- Low-light situations where a fast color negative film is needed
Available Formats & Pricing
| Format | Approx. Price |
|---|---|
| 35mm (36 exp) | ~$14-19 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 — no special handling required. The film is designed for scanning and produces excellent results on both flatbed and dedicated film scanners. Overexposed negatives scan particularly well, with dense negatives yielding smooth tones. Color balance is neutral and consistent, requiring minimal correction in post. For best scanning results, expose for the shadows by slightly overexposing. Some labs report that pushing Portra 400 to EI 800 produces usable but noticeably grainier results.
Sources & Further Reading
Manufacturer Data
Sample Photos
Reviews & Resources
Shoot Kodak Portra 400 with TLR Companion
TLR Companion is a free light meter app with built-in reciprocity correction for Kodak Portra 400 and 21 other film stocks. Meter your exposures accurately with camera-specific settings for 48 TLR cameras.