Kodak Introduces Improved Versions of its KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 400-Speed...

[Xia_Ke]

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQueri...=pressreleases

Kodak Introduces Improved Versions of its KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 400-Speed Color Negative Films
Technology innovations result in finer grain and better scanning

ROCHESTER, N.Y., and TAMPA, Fla, Jan. 7 -- In a move that underscores its ongoing support of the professional photography market, Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) today announced improved versions of its KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA 400NC and 400VC films. Attendees at Imaging USA can see the latest enhancements to the award winning KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA color negative film family, which build on the successful introduction of improved PORTRA films in 2006. The finer grain of the PORTRA 400NC and 400VC films, combined with the spectacular skin tone of the entire portfolio, enable professional photographers to create striking, breathtaking photographs.

“In the past 18 months, since we introduced the new generation of PORTRA film, we’ve sought ways to refine and improve the films to provide even better options for professional photographers,” said Mary Jane Hellyar, president, Film Products Group and executive vice president, Eastman Kodak Company. “These new 400NC and 400VC films, with their even finer grain, will enable photographers to create stunning images with spectacular skin tones and, in addition, provide improved scanning performance for greater enlargement capability.”

The new films offer:

* Finer Grain: Extended use of antenna dye technology enables PORTRA 400NC and 400VC films to deliver finer grain than ever before.
* Outstanding Scanning Results: With finer grain and an emulsion overcoat specially designed for scanners, PORTRA 400 films reproduce beautifully, with either optical or digital output.
* Spectacular Skin Tones: The new PORTRA 400 films continue to deliver smooth, natural reproduction of skin tones.

Kodak introduced the new KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA film family in 2006. Since that time, the films have received numerous industry awards. This year, readers of Studio Photography named PORTRA film as the “Reader’s Choice,” for the second year in a row. In addition to the Studio Photography award, the PORTRA family of films has received:

* American Photo “Editor’s Choice Award” – American Photo’s annual guide to photography’s best new products awarded PORTRA Film the Editor’s Choice for Imaging Essentials.
* Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) – Best Film in Europe 2007: The award, voted for by TIPA members, recognizes the fine grain, excellent resolving power and superb color precision offered to professional photographers by Kodak’s four color negative professional films: PORTRA160NC, 160VC, 400NC and 400VC.
* Professional Photographer’s 2007 Hot One Award - Color Negative Films: The Professional Photographer Hot One Awards, chosen by a panel of 15 practicing professional photographers, honor the photography industry’s best new products for professional application. The panel chose PORTRA film for the color negative film category.

The new KODAK PROFESSIONAL PORTRA films will be available worldwide on a stock-turnover basis beginning Q1 2008.
About Eastman Kodak Company

Kodak is the world’s foremost imaging innovator. With sales of $10.7 billion in 2006, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak’s system of digital and traditional products and services to take, print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere; Businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using KODAK solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; and Creative Professionals rely on KODAK technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images.

More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.com
Kodak, Kodak Professional and Portra are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company.
2008

[Dstrickland]

That's good news. I figure I re-up on 120 roll film and 35mm Ultra color 100, 400 and Portra film every other month. I'm always in fear that Kodak will pull the plug on the stuff. Kind of hard to quit selling when you invest in research to improve something.

[Xia_Ke]

I hope they don't pull the plug I've grown quite attached to Plus-X and Tri-x in 35mm and to HC-110 for my developing

[Dstrickland]

I'll be honest with you, I wish they still made Kodachrome 25. I wish they made the 25 iso print film they used to make during the 1980's. God I forget the name of the stuff now. It came in a black package and was razor sharp stuff. 20x30 enlargements were feasable with 35mm. I miss Tech Pan 25 iso too. I loved shooting slow film.

[Xia_Ke]

Wish I had started shooting that long ago I'm enjoying slow speed stuff more and more as I pretty much use a tripod all the time now. Been trying to pick up some Tech Pan to try out as everyone raves about it but, the prices on the secondary market are ridiculous. Have you tried Rollei's ATP1.1 yet? Supposed to be really nice stuff but at $9.99 a roll it better be

Rollei introduces a new super fine grain and high resolution, black and white, 35mm film that is worthy of the title "Technical Pan Replacement" called Rollei ATP1.1 Advanced Technical Pan.

[Dstrickland]

Oh yeah, the time was that 25 ASA or ISO was slow. Now 100 is slow if you can find it. It seems that 200 or 400 is considered slow film now. Tech Pan was virtually grainless. Incredible stuff. It had to be developed right though.

[Xia_Ke]

Have you checked out Acros? VERY little grain.