If you’re shooting film in 2024 and want dependable, beautiful results for both portraits and landscapes, Kodak’s Portra family remains one of the safest—and most rewarding—places to start. This guide is for film photographers who want flattering skin tones, flexible exposure latitude, and enough variety to handle everything from golden-hour portraits to bright mountain scenes and low-light environmental work. Below, we break down the standout Portra options available at Unique Photo and explain which stocks make the most sense depending on your format and shooting style.
Why Portra Still Dominates in 2024
Portra has earned its reputation because it balances color accuracy, soft contrast, and excellent dynamic range. For portrait photographers, that means natural skin tones and smooth tonal transitions. For landscape shooters, it means rich but realistic color, wide exposure latitude, and scans that hold up well in highlights and shadows.
In practical terms, the three speeds covered here—Portra 160, 400, and 800—give you a flexible toolkit:
- Portra 160 for maximum fine grain and controlled color in bright conditions
- Portra 400 for all-around versatility in portraits and landscapes
- Portra 800 for lower light, handheld shooting, and moodier environmental portraits
Quick Comparison
| Film Stock | Best For | Format | Look | Why Buy It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kodak Portra 160 | Daylight portraits, fine-art landscapes | 4x5 | Fine grain, soft contrast, natural color | Excellent detail and subtle color rendering |
| Kodak Portra 400 | Everyday portraits and landscapes | 35mm, 4x5, 8x10 | Balanced color, wide latitude, versatile grain | The do-everything Portra stock |
| Kodak Portra 800 | Low light, indoor portraits, handheld work | 35mm | Warmer, faster, slightly more pronounced grain | Ideal when you need speed without giving up Portra color |
Our Pick
Kodak Portra 400 135-36 Professional Film 5-PACK is our top choice for most photographers in 2024. It’s the most versatile option here, equally comfortable shooting portraits outdoors, travel landscapes, street scenes, and mixed-light environments. If you only want to keep one film stock in your bag, this is the one.
Best Film Stocks for Portraits and Landscapes
Kodak Portra 400 135-36 Professional Film 5-PACK
For photographers shooting 35mm, this is the easiest recommendation in the group. Portra 400 has the exposure latitude and forgiving nature that make it a favorite for portrait sessions, especially in changing light. Skin tones stay natural, highlights roll off smoothly, and the ISO 400 speed gives you enough flexibility for overcast days, shade, or golden hour.
For landscapes, Portra 400 works well when you want a more organic and less punchy interpretation than slide film. It handles varied outdoor conditions gracefully and scans beautifully with room to adjust color and contrast afterward. The 5-pack format also makes it a practical choice for photographers who shoot regularly and want to stock up.
Best for: all-around 35mm shooters, portrait photographers, travel, and mixed-use film kits.
KODAK Portra 800 Color Negative Film (35mm 36EXP)
Portra 800 is the choice when light gets tricky. If you love environmental portraits indoors, nighttime street scenes, wedding receptions, or handheld shooting near dusk, the extra speed is a major advantage. You still get Portra’s pleasing color palette, but with more flexibility in situations where Portra 160 or 400 may require slower shutter speeds than you want.
For landscapes, Portra 800 is less of a traditional daylight-first stock, but it shines when the goal is atmosphere rather than ultra-clean detail. Think foggy evenings, moody coastlines, blue hour cityscapes, or travel photography where conditions change fast.
Best for: low-light portraits, handheld shooting, and photographers who want speed with classic Portra color.
Kodak 4x5in Portra 160 Color Film (10 Sheets) 7520794
If your priority is maximum detail and the finest grain possible for portraits or landscapes in large format, Portra 160 is an outstanding option. In 4x5, it delivers smooth tonal transitions and a refined, understated look that works especially well for studio portraits, open-shade sessions, and scenic work in bright daylight.
Landscape photographers who want subtle color rather than exaggerated saturation often gravitate toward Portra 160. Greens, blues, and earth tones stay realistic, and the slower speed encourages a more deliberate tripod-based approach that pairs perfectly with 4x5 workflows.
Best for: fine-art large format portraits, bright outdoor landscapes, and photographers chasing the cleanest possible negative.
Kodak Portra 400 4x5 10 sheets Professional Film 7520786
For 4x5 shooters who want more flexibility than Portra 160, Portra 400 is the sweet spot. It gives you the same beloved Portra palette with a little more room to work in changing conditions, whether you’re photographing portraits near sunset or landscapes under broken cloud cover.
This is a particularly strong pick for photographers balancing portrait and landscape work in one kit. In large format, the grain remains very controlled, and the added speed helps when light isn’t ideal or when you want a bit more convenience in the field.
Best for: 4x5 photographers who need one versatile stock for people and places.
Kodak Portra 400 Color Negative Film (8x10in, 10 Sheets) 7523129
For photographers working in 8x10, Portra 400 delivers an exceptional combination of flexibility and image quality. The larger format amplifies all of Portra’s strengths: nuanced skin tones, broad dynamic range, and a polished look that suits both portraiture and scenic compositions.
Because 8x10 is such a deliberate format, having ISO 400 can be a real advantage. It opens up more practical shooting windows for natural light portraiture and can simplify exposure choices outdoors. If you’re investing the time and effort that 8x10 requires, Portra 400 is a dependable premium stock to match.
Best for: serious large format portraitists and landscape photographers who want premium flexibility in 8x10.
Which Portra Stock Should You Choose?
If you’re deciding between these options, the answer comes down to speed, format, and the type of look you want:
- Choose Portra 160 if you want the cleanest, finest-grain look for bright daylight portraits and landscapes.
- Choose Portra 400 if you want the best all-purpose film stock for both portraits and landscapes in almost any normal shooting condition.
- Choose Portra 800 if you often shoot in lower light, indoors, or handheld and want more exposure flexibility.
Final Thoughts
For most photographers in 2024, Kodak Portra 400 remains the best overall film stock for portraits and landscapes thanks to its balanced color, excellent latitude, and broad usability across formats. If you shoot 35mm, the Kodak Portra 400 135-36 Professional Film 5-PACK is the standout value and our clearest recommendation. Large format shooters should look closely at Portra 160 for ultimate refinement or Portra 400 for maximum flexibility.
No matter which version fits your style, Unique Photo is a great place to stock up on trusted Kodak film for your next portrait session, road trip, or large format outing.