Kodak Portra 400 is a tried and true film. Whether you shoot it in 35mm, medium format or something bigger, you’re not going to be disappointed with the look of this legendary film – unless, of course, you’re expecting something particularly vibrant. Portra 400 is known for producing muted colors; while some call Portra 400’s color reproduction flat, I prefer to call it tastefully understated. This is not Ektar. Not even close. But that’s the point isn’t it? Portra 400 is the perfect film for the desaturated portrait look. And if you overexpose by a stop…maybe two, depending on the lighting conditions…you’re in for a real treat. I typically prefer natural light for any portrait work that I do, digital or analog, and Portra 400 is my go-to film for such situations. The examples included below hopefully are at least somewhat representative of what I’ve hyped Kodak Portra 400 to be. 

Camera: Bronica SQ-A 

Lenses: Zenzanon-S 150mm f/3.5, Zenzanon-S 80mm f/2.8