Kodak adds professional large-format stills film to their range

Kodak has expanded its direct lineup to include large-format sheet films, bringing emulsions like Ektapan 100 and 400 to the 4x5 format, alongside Ektacolor Pro and Tri-X in both 4x5 and 8x10 sizes.

The benefits of these sheets are massive, offering incredible exposure latitude, ultra-fine grain, and a rich rendering of light that digital sensors struggle to mimic.

The following films have now are available in large format:

KODAK EKTAPAN B&W 100 & 400 in 4X5 

KODAK EKTACOLOR PRO 160 & 400 in 4X5 and 8X10

KODAK TRI-X B&W 320 in 4X5, 5X7 and 8X10

This release has pushed the vintage film trend into 'super vintage' territory as photographers adopt classic large-format bellows cameras. These folding and monorail bodies can be picked up fairly cheaply on the second-hand market, though buyers must check the vintage lenses closely for any internal fungus or mould that degrades image clarity.

While the latest mirrorless cameras are shooting at 40 frames per second, you'd be lucky to shoot four frames per minute with a large format camera using 'dark-slides'.

Embracing large format completely differentiates a photographer from the crowded digital landscape. It forces a 'slow photography' workflow – instead of rapid-fire digital shooting, you manually load sheets into dark-slides, calculate bellows extension and focus, and compose upside-down on ground glass.

In Australia, a 10-sheet box of premium Kodak film generally retails between $100 and $125. While it is a small investment per shot, it ensures every photograph is a deliberate, distinct work of art.

You can read more on the Kodak website.