Kodak Ektar 100

Kodak Ektar 100 is Kodak's saturated color negative film — the closest C-41 alternative to slide-film saturation, with the latitude advantages of color negative. Ektar 100 produces vivid greens, deep blues, and rich reds without the narrow exposure latitude of slide film. Introduced 2008 (replacing earlier Ektar 25/100/1000); currently in production.

Key features

• ISO 100 rated; very fine grain (RMS 4 — comparable to Portra 160)
• High saturation for color negative — closer to Velvia 100 than Portra in palette
• Wide latitude (~±1½ stops, narrower than Portra but wider than slide film)
• C-41 process
• Available in 35mm and 120 (no 4×5 sheet in current production)
• The "Velvia in C-41" alternative — saturated color without the slide-film exposure discipline

Workflow

• Box-speed exposure at EI 100; standard C-41 processing
• For maximum saturation, slightly underexpose (~¼ stop) — Ektar amplifies saturation when underexposed
• Push to EI 200 cleanly
• Polarizer enhances Ektar's saturated greens and blues, similar to slide-film usage

Practical notes

• Ektar 100 is the choice for landscape, travel, and architecture photographers who want saturated color but prefer C-41 over slide processing
• Skin tones can render slightly cool/saturated — Ektar is not the choice for portraiture (Portra 160 is)
• The fine grain at ISO 100 makes Ektar competitive with slide films for resolution-critical work
• Cold storage extends shelf life

Related films

• Kodak Portra 160 — naturalistic alternative at same speed
• Fuji Velvia 50 — saturated slide alternative
• Fuji Provia 100F — naturalistic slide alternative at same speed
• Kodak Gold 200 — consumer-grade alternative at slightly higher speed