Kodak consumer C-41 film - differences?

<p>Does anyone know for certain (or even a really authoritative guess) what the story is with Kodak Gold. This has been a favorite "cheap" film for me to use for casual photography over hte years but it seems to have disappeared. Here are my questions:</p>

<p>1. Since the 100 and 200 ASA versions are no longer listed on the Kodak web site, does that indicate that they have been quietly discontinued?</p>

<p>2. Is "Kodak ColorPlus" really the same as Kodak Gold? There seems to be difference of opinion in various internet forums. One of the major retailers lists them as same manufacturer number but no such info ever existed to my knowledge onthe Kodak documentation. In fact, when "Gold" was ordered they delivered "ColorPlus". BTW, the Kodak ColorPlus sure looks like old stock or "gray market" film but I'm not sure I know for sure how to tell.</p>

<p>The 4-pack 24-exposure Gold is marked CAT (presumably a catalog number) 603 0100 and the single-roll 36-exposure ColorPlus is marked 603-1470. Is it likely that the common "603" indicates the same product and the other part of the number means different packaging?</p>

<p>I haven't had a chance to use the ColorPlus yet. Maybe the film edge markings will yield additional data, but I won't be able to get to that for a while. I hope someone knows for sure and can answer the questions. Thanks!</p>

<p>Call Kodak at 1-800-822-1414. </p>

<p>I think the current US brandname is UltraMax. Kodak uses different brandings for similar films to partition the market in different countries at different prices. Also, the color balance may be tweaked for different markets.<br>

Kodak only shows UltraMax 400 online, but there's plenty of UltraMax 800 in stores. <br>

B&H shows ColorPlus 200 as "Imported". They also have domestic 100 and 200. </p>

<p><a href="http://wwwuk.kodak.com/BR/pt/corp/sala_imprensa/noticiasLocais/produtos/2009/filme_kodak_color_plus200.shtml?primeiro=7">This page</a> shows it as a Brazilian market film.</p>

<p>Thanks John. You found more on it than I did. I tried asking the Kodak Chat but they referred to a phone number too. I'll call them when I can. I appreciate your sharing of knowledge!</p>

<p>p.s. My Portugese skills are non-existent, but that is the exact box I'm talking about.</p>

<p>Color Plus with a Print Grain Index of 44 appears to be the same product as Gold 200. A PGI of 44 corresponds to a RMS granularity of 4,7 for print and ~ 12 for slide film (~ 2,5 x print).<br>

I would recommend Fujicolor C200 instead, which has a much finer grain and an extreme high resolution.<br>

RMS = (PGI / 0.5335) ^ (1 / 2.8669)<br /><br /></p>

<p>I've noticed that all the consumer Kodak 100 and 200 ASA film which I've bought in the last couple-of-years-or-so in UK, Spain and Austria, seems to be in generic "Kodak Colour Negative Film" cassettes, whatever the outside packing, Colorplus, Gold or the German "Farbwelt 100" version.<br>

My guess (FWIW) is that they are producing just one emulsion, with different packaging for the various markets.</p>

 

<p>About 10 years ago, they used to make something they called Royal Gold. That was a very good film.<br>

I also liked High Definition 400, but I can't find that anymore. </p>

<p>The Colourplus was up until 2011 in all the 99p per roll bins (in the UK). I never liked it very much though - it was grainy and rather lacklustre. The Gold 100 was much better.</p>

<p>I believe the Royal Gold was the next generation of the old Ektar line. and I think it was longer than 10 years ago.</p>

<p>Colorplus is not Gold. Colorplus is still £1 per 24exp roll here in the UK at Home Bargains and the like. It's like going back to the 1970s. Big grain and retro colours. I like it, but Ektar it ain't!</p>

<p>Thanks very much, folks.</p>

<p>Kodacolor Gold is what I have been using for the past 10 years unless they changed the name recently to ColorPlus. Actually I never used Color Plus or knew it was available.<br>

<a href="http://www.adorama.com/KKGA24.html?utm_term=139aa3b071d349f1bcc09951ba9c7c81&utm_medium=Search%20Site&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=adl-google">http://www.adorama.com/KKGA24.html?utm_term=139aa3b071d349f1bcc09951ba9c7c81&utm_medium=Search%20Site&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=adl-google</a></p>

<p>I've also shot a few rolls of this Kodak ProImage 100: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FPYBX8/?tag=andylynnnet-20 and liked it. It's an import, no idea whether it corresponds to a domestic product.</p>

<p>The side of the box of ColorPlus I just bought (at a local lab, a few blocks from me) says "Made in USA, Finished in Mexico." Going to put it in one of the Hexars and see what it's really about. (Hardly giving up my Portra, however.)</p>

<p>- Barrett</p>