Kodak Introduces Ektapan and Ektacolor Pro Film Lines
Eastman Kodak has announced two new professional film lines — Ektapan and Ektacolor Pro — comprising six stocks in total, continuing a pattern of film releases that began in September of the previous year. The announcement marks what appears to be the final stage in the transfer of Kodak’s still photography emulsions from Kodak Alaris back to Eastman Kodak’s direct distribution network.
The Ektapan line consists of three black-and-white continuous-tone panchromatic films — ISO 100, 400, and P3200 — built on a T-Grain emulsion that uses flat, tabular silver halide crystals to minimize grain and maximize sharpness and resolution. The 100 and 400 variants are available in both 135 and 120 formats; the P3200 is limited to 35mm. The Ektapan name was previously used by Kodak but had been absent from the market for roughly 25 years, during which time Kodak directed photographers toward its T-Max line. The technical specifications, speeds, and described characteristics of the new Ektapan films closely parallel those of the existing T-Max products, which have been distributed by Kodak Alaris. Eastman Kodak has not acknowledged this equivalence directly.
Here are some sample pictures shot on the Ektapan film, courtesy of Kodak:
The same situation applies to the Ektacolor Pro line, which consists of three daylight-balanced color negative films at ISO 160, 400, and 800 — speeds that correspond exactly to those of the Portra range, Kodak Alaris’s widely used professional color negative series favored in portrait, wedding, and fashion photography. The descriptions Kodak provides for Ektacolor Pro — natural skin tones, fine grain, wide exposure latitude, and strong scanning performance — are consistent with longstanding characterizations of Portra. The Ektacolor name itself has historically been associated with Kodak inkjet and photo paper products rather than photographic film, though it shares naming conventions with other Kodak emulsions such as Ektachrome and Ektar. All three Ektacolor Pro films are available in 135 and 120 formats.
Here are several sample pictures shot on the Ektacolor Pro film, from Kodak website:
The context for these releases lies in the American company’s corporate history. Following bankruptcy proceedings in 2012, distribution rights for Kodak’s still photography films passed to Kodak Alaris, a separate entity, with Eastman Kodak retaining film production for the cinema market. Beginning in late 2024, Eastman Kodak began reasserting control over the still photography segment by releasing films directly to retailers under revised branding: Kodacolor 100 and 200 in September, followed by Gold and Ultramax in November, Ektar and Tri-X in January, and Ektachrome the following month. The Ektapan and Ektacolor Pro announcements appear to complete this transition. The company has stated that direct distribution is intended to improve supply stability and moderate price fluctuations, though the practical effects on pricing remain limited at this stage — current retail prices for the new films are broadly comparable to those of their apparent predecessors.
The films are available: the Ektapan 100 and 400 are priced at $10.99 per 36-exposure roll, with P3200 at $13.95. Medium-format Ektapan 100 is $44.99 for a five-roll pack, and the 400-speed equivalent is $48.95. Ektacolor Pro 160 starts at $16.99 per 35mm roll, with a five-pack of 120-format film at $64.95. Ektacolor Pro 800 carries a higher price: $19.95 for a 35mm roll and $89.95 for five rolls of 120.
