Portra 400 vs Portra 800

When it comes to film photography, Kodak’s Portra range is a staple for many photographers, celebrated for its exceptional colour rendition and versatility. While both Portra 400 and Portra 800 are often associated with portrait photography, they can also yield stunning results in landscape settings. However, choosing between the two for your next landscape shoot depends on the lighting conditions, desired aesthetic, and the practicalities of shooting with different film speeds. Let’s explore how these two film stocks compare when used in the great outdoors.

I’m not including Portra 160 in this comparison. Living in England, where the weather is often gloomy, I’ve found that using Portra 160 for general walk-around landscape photography can be challenging without a tripod. Its lower sensitivity makes it less practical for the kind of light we typically encounter here. Portra 400 and 800, with their higher ISOs, are far better suited to handling the variable and often dim conditions of the British outdoors.

Film Speed and Grain

The most obvious difference between Portra 400 and Portra 800 is their ISO rating. Portra 400, with its moderate speed, is ideal for well-lit conditions such as sunny days or golden hour shoots. The lower ISO results in finer grain, which is particularly advantageous when capturing intricate landscape details like foliage, rocks, or distant mountains. This can give your images a cleaner and more polished look.

Portra 800, on the other hand, shines in low-light conditions. Its higher ISO rating allows for greater flexibility when shooting at dawn, dusk, or under overcast skies. While it has slightly more noticeable grain compared to Portra 400, the grain structure is still refined and can add a layer of texture and atmosphere that complements certain landscape scenes. This film is perfect for those moody, dramatic landscapes where light is scarce.

Colour Rendition

Both Portra 400 and Portra 800 are renowned for their natural and warm colour tones, but subtle differences emerge when shooting landscapes. Portra 400 tends to render colours with a slightly softer and more pastel-like quality. This can be particularly appealing for landscapes where you want to emphasise a dreamy or serene atmosphere, such as rolling hills or calm coastal scenes.

Portra 800, however, often delivers a punchier colour palette with deeper saturation. This makes it an excellent choice for capturing vibrant sunsets, dramatic skies, or urban landscapes where you want the colours to pop. The film’s ability to handle low light also means you’ll see richer tones in shadow areas, adding depth to your images.

Dynamic Range

Both films are praised for their wide dynamic range, but Portra 400 has a slight edge in retaining details in highlights. This makes it particularly well-suited for scenes with high contrast, such as sunlit peaks against shadowy valleys. Portra 800, while still capable of handling a broad range of tones, may require a bit more care in exposure to avoid losing details in the highlights, especially in brighter conditions.

Practical Considerations

When deciding between Portra 400 and Portra 800 for landscape photography, consider the practical aspects of each film. Portra 400’s slower speed means you’ll likely need a tripod or steady hand in lower light situations to avoid camera shake. It’s a fantastic all-rounder for daylight and controlled shooting environments.

Portra 800, with its faster speed, offers more flexibility for handheld shooting in less-than-ideal lighting. This can be a game-changer if you’re hiking or travelling light and don’t want to carry extra gear. However, it’s worth noting that Portra 800 can be slightly harder to find and more expensive than Portra 400, so availability and budget might also influence your choice.

Which Should You Choose?

If your landscape photography leans towards bright, expansive scenes with plenty of light, Portra 400 is likely the better choice. Its fine grain and soft colour palette make it a reliable option for a wide range of outdoor conditions.

For those venturing into low-light environments or seeking a more dramatic, textured look, Portra 800 is an excellent alternative. Its higher sensitivity and richer colours can help you capture the mood of a scene in ways Portra 400 might not.

Ultimately, both films have their strengths, and the choice comes down to the specific conditions and creative vision for your shoot. Why not try both and see how they perform in your favourite landscape locations? You might be surprised by how each film interprets the same scene in its own unique way.

I’ve added some shots below taken on either on of these films, can you tell which Is which?