Kodak revives legendary Ektacolor brand for new professional film line

Eastman Kodak has officially expanded its direct-to-retail film lineup with the launch of the Kodak Professional Ektacolor Pro series – introducing the Ektacolor Pro 160, 400, and 800 colour-negative films.

While the Ektacolor name has historically been associated with Kodak’s darkroom papers and chemicals, its transition to the film catalogue marks a significant rebranding effort. These 'new' emulsions are refined versions of the world-renowned Portra family – now being distributed directly by Eastman Kodak rather than through third-party channels.

The Ektacolor Pro line is designed to deliver the exceptionally natural skin tones and wide exposure latitude that professional photographers have relied on for decades.

According to Kodak, the 160-speed variant offers ultra-fine grain and smooth highlights, while the Ektacolor Pro 400 is touted as the world’s sharpest and finest-grain 400-speed colour film. The Ektacolor Pro 800 rounds out the trio, providing superior underexposure latitude for low-light environments. All three films are available in both 35mm (135) and 120 roll film formats.

Pricing for the new film isn't available in Australia, though a single roll of 35mm Ekatacolor 36 frames retails for US$14.59 – which would be approximately AU$23-25 with GST.

The Kodak Film ecosystem: 35mm and 120 options

Beyond the new Ektacolor releases, Kodak maintains a robust selection of films for enthusiasts and professionals alike. For those seeking vibrant, high-saturation results, Kodak Professional Ektar 100 remains a favourite in both 35mm and 120.

The consumer-focused Kodak Gold 200 and UltraMax 400 continue to be staples for 35mm shooters, with Gold 200 also recently becoming available in 120 format.

In short, consumer film is built for convenience and longevity on a shop shelf (room temperature), whereas professional film is built for technical perfection with usually finer grain – and it should remain refrigerated before use.

Enthusiasts of positive (slide) film can still utilise Ektachrome E100, which offers extremely fine grain and neutral tones across all major formats.

On the black-and-white side, the legendary Tri-X 400 remains the go-to for high-contrast, gritty imagery, while the T-MAX series (100, 400, and P3200) has also been brought under the new Eastman Kodak distribution umbrella, occasionally appearing under the revived Ektapan branding in certain markets.

The modern film renaissance

The sustained 'analog boom' has transformed film photography from a nostalgic niche into a thriving modern movement. Driven by a younger generation’s desire for a tactile, intentional creative process and the unique 'organic' aesthetic of silver halide, demand for film has reached its highest point in nearly twenty years.

This resurgence has not only stabilised film production but has also incentivised manufacturers to design and release brand-new hardware for the first time in decades, moving the industry away from a total reliance on ageing vintage equipment.

New film cameras in production (2025–2026)

While many associate film with the past, several companies are currently manufacturing brand-new cameras:

• Pentax 17: A high-end 35mm half-frame camera launched in 2024, featuring a fixed 25mm lens and zone focusing.

• Rollei 35AF: A modern autofocus reboot of the classic compact Rollei 35, utilising LiDAR technology for precision focusing.

• Leica M-Series: Leica continues to produce the M6 (re-introduced in 2022), the all-mechanical M-A, and the MP rangefinders.

• Kodak Snapic A1: A new, affordable 35mm point-and-shoot released in late 2025 featuring a high-quality glass lens and automated film handling.

• Lomography MC-A: A premium, all-metal compact with glass optics, autofocus, and multiple exposure modes.

  

The second-hand market

For many, the entry point into film remains the vast second-hand market. Iconic mechanical SLRs such as the Canon AE–1, Nikon F3, and Pentax K1000 are prized for their durability and the availability of affordable vintage lenses.

While 'cult' point-and-shoot cameras like the Contax T2 have seen prices skyrocket, 1990s-era plastic SLRs from brands like Minolta and Canon often provide sophisticated autofocus and metering at a fraction of the cost, making them excellent choices for those starting their analog journey.