Film Photography Shootout: Fujifilm Pro 400H vs Kodak Portra 400
Braedon Flynn and the folks at Film Supply Club have put together a “shootout” between two of the most popular color negative film stocks out there: Fujifilm Pro 400H and Kodak Portra 400. If you’ve ever wanted to compare these two side-by-side on the same scenes without going out and shooting them yourself, this film photography shootout video fits the bill.
“Fujifilm Pro 400H and Kodak Portra 400 are two of the most popular color, professional films available today. You’ll find most photographers lean either as Kodak shooters or Fuji Shooters,” writes Flynn. “We thought this video would be a helpful comparison of the two film stocks.”
Flynn shot both the Fuji and Kodak film using a Contax 645 with an 80mm lens, and both were metered at 200 even though they’re technically both 400 ASA film. From there, it was just a matter of walking around with his subject, musician Molly Jenson, and trying a variety of poses and lighting scenarios.
Keep in mind that this is not about which of the two is “better.” While there are some minor objective differences that might make you choose one or the other—e.g. Fuji Pro 400H 120 film is easier to seal when you’re done—generally speaking, the video is trying to show you the results so you can compare the “look” of the two films and pick the right one when you go out shooting.
Test shots include a variety of different kinds of light—from even lighting, to back-lit, front-lit, sunset and overcast—so you can see where one might render skin tones or highlights or the landscape better (to your eye) than the other. The differences can be really subtle, but they’re definitely there.
Check out the full video up top to see all of the sample images and side-by-side comparisons for yourself, and let us know which film stock you prefer to shoot (and why) in the comments.
