Ektar Explained

Kodak Ektar is a professional color negative film introduced in 2008, designed for nature, outdoors, fashion, and product photography. The film offers ultra-fine grains, ultra-vivid colors, and high saturation, and is available in ISO 100 only.[1]

Another film named "Ektar" was introduced in 1989 by Eastman Kodak as a semi-professional color negative film, but it was later discontinued and was replaced by Royal Gold.

Ektar 100
Maker:Eastman Kodak
Speed:100/21°
Format:35mm, 120, 4x5, 8x10[2]
Type:p
Process:C-41
Grain:Ultra-fine
Start:2008, 2010(4x5/8x10)
Ektar
Maker:Eastman Kodak
Speed:25/15°, 100/21°, 125/22°, 1000/31°, 400/27°
Format:35mm, 120
Type:p
Process:C-41
Start:1989
Stop:1994, 1997
Replace:Royal Gold

History

Use of name

Prior to its use on films, the Ektar name originally referred to Eastman Kodak's premium-priced lenses for professional use, which were introduced in 1936 and sold until the 1960s. In contrast to the branding from other lens-makers, Kodak emphasized that the name was a quality mark rather than referring to any particular optical formula.[3]

Original Ektar film (1989 to 1997)

Ektar started as a color 35mm and 120 semi-professional film introduced by Eastman Kodak in 1989, which used the common C-41 process. It was designed to offer ultra-fine grain. It was manufactured in 25, 100 (replaced the poor selling 125 in June 1991 [4]), and 1000 ISO formats. 400 speed film was available until 1997. Poor market segmentation was cited as a factor in Kodak's decision to discontinue Ektar in 1994. The film was replaced by the Royal Gold line. The 120 version of Ektar was discontinued in 1997.

Relaunched Ektar 100 (2008 onwards)

A new film was introduced in September 2008 under the name Kodak EKTAR 100, which claims to be the finest-grain color negative film with high saturation and vivid colors available on the market. The film was initially only offered in 35mm, but later the film offering was expanded to include 120 size film, then 4x5 and 8x10 sheet sizes in 2010.[1] [5]

Ektar 100 is designed to be very suitable for digitizing using a film scanner.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kodak Professional Ektar 100 Film. Kodak Alaris. 19 March 2023. February 2016.
  2. Web site: Kodak Ektar 100 review, by Lewis Collard!.
  3. Web site: "Ektar" is not a specific lens design. 19 February 2020.
  4. News: Camera. The New York Times. 7 July 1991. Durniak. John.
  5. Web site: Kodak Ektar 100 Sheet Film | Photography Blog.
  6. Web site: Film Review: Kodak Ektar 100 – 135 Format LifeInDigitalFilm . 2012-11-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130613070052/http://www.lifeindigitalfilm.com/2009/07/film-review-kodak-ektar-100-135-format.html . 2013-06-13 . dead .