Kodak Portra 400 vs. UltraMax 400: Is Portra Worth It?
Same speed, very different films. What you get for Portra’s higher price — and when UltraMax 400 is the smarter roll.
Kodak Portra 400 is worth the extra cost if you care most about skin tones, fine grain, and flexibility in editing or exposure; Kodak UltraMax 400 is the better value for everyday shooting where you want bright, warm color. Both are ISO 400 C-41 color negative films. Portra is a professional film with natural, lower-contrast color and remarkable exposure latitude; UltraMax is a consumer film with punchier saturation and more grain, at a noticeably lower price per roll.
We sell both at our Garden City shop and develop plenty of each in our lab. Here's what you actually get for the price difference.
Portra 400 vs. UltraMax 400 at a glance
| Kodak Portra 400 | Kodak UltraMax 400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Film type | Professional color negative | Consumer color negative |
| Film speed | ISO 400 | ISO 400 |
| Color | Natural, true-to-life skin tones; softer saturation | Warm and saturated |
| Contrast | Low — lots of highlight and shadow detail | Moderate to high |
| Grain | Very fine for an ISO 400 film | More visible |
| Exposure latitude | Exceptional, especially toward overexposure | Good, especially toward overexposure |
| Formats | 35mm and 120 | 35mm |
| Price per roll | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Portraits, weddings, editing flexibility, big prints | Everyday shooting, travel, events, value |
Both are in our shop: Kodak Portra 400 (also as a 5-pack) and Kodak UltraMax 400.
Where Portra 400 is better
- Skin tones. Portra was designed for portrait and wedding photographers, and it renders skin naturally, without the orange or red push that consumer films can give.
- Grain. For an ISO 400 film, Portra is remarkably fine-grained. It enlarges cleanly and holds up to high-resolution scans and cropping.
- Latitude. Portra tolerates overexposure by several stops and still produces usable, often beautiful, negatives. Many photographers deliberately rate it at ISO 200 for a brighter, pastel look.
- Editing room. Lower contrast means more detail in highlights and shadows, which gives you more to work with when adjusting scans.
- 120 format. Portra is available in medium format; UltraMax is 35mm only.
Where UltraMax 400 is better
- Price. UltraMax costs noticeably less per roll, which matters when you shoot a lot.
- Punch. If you like vivid, warm color straight out of the lab, UltraMax delivers it without editing. Portra can look muted by comparison until it's color-corrected.
- Everyday reliability. In a point-and-shoot or a vacation camera, UltraMax's strengths — speed, warmth, and forgiveness — cover most of what you'll shoot.
Is Portra 400 worth it?
Yes, if:
- You're photographing people and want flattering, natural skin
- You plan to print large or crop
- You shoot in high-contrast light (bright sun with deep shade) and want to keep detail in both
- It's an occasion you can't redo — a wedding, a graduation, a family portrait
Probably not, if:
- You're learning, shooting casually, or testing a new-to-you camera (use UltraMax and save Portra for later)
- You like saturated, contrasty color without editing
- You're shooting a lot of rolls on a budget
Our counter advice: learn on UltraMax, and use Portra for the rolls that matter. For daylight-only shooting, compare Portra 400 with Gold 200 instead.
What about Portra 800 or Portra 160?
The Portra family comes in three speeds. Portra 160 is the finest-grained, for bright light and studio work. Portra 800 adds a stop of speed for dim interiors and evening — see our low-light film guide — and we carry Portra 800 in 35mm too. Portra 400 sits in the middle and is the most versatile of the three.
Developing and scanning
Both films are standard C-41 and are developed the same way at our lab: $11 for a 35mm roll, with scans by email link within 5–7 business days. If you're paying for Portra's fine grain, high-resolution scans let it show — our scan resolution guide explains when that's worth it.
FAQ
What's the difference between Portra 400 and UltraMax 400?
Both are ISO 400 color negative films. Portra 400 is a professional film with natural skin tones, lower contrast, finer grain, and wider exposure latitude. UltraMax 400 is a cheaper consumer film with warmer, more saturated color and more visible grain.
Is Portra 400 good for beginners?
It's very forgiving, so beginners get good results with it — but it costs more per roll. Many people learn on UltraMax 400 or Gold 200 and switch to Portra for important shoots.
Why does Portra 400 look washed out?
Usually because it's underexposed or the scan wasn't corrected for its low contrast. Portra rewards generous exposure; many photographers rate it at ISO 200 or meter for the shadows.
Can you push Portra 400?
Yes. Portra 400 can be pushed a stop or two in development for low light, at the cost of more contrast and grain. Tell the lab the speed you shot at when you order.
Is UltraMax 400 a professional film?
No — it's sold as a consumer film. Its look is popular with many photographers anyway, especially for its warm, saturated color.
Ready to shoot? Pick up Portra 400 or UltraMax 400 in our shop and send your rolls to our film lab, or drop them off at 731 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 (Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (closed Saturday)).
Cover photo: SkywalkerPL, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY 3.0.
Written and reviewed by the Neptune Photo team — the staff behind the counter and in the film lab at our Garden City, NY shop since 1963. Read our editorial policy
