Impressions -- First of all, Ektar 100 is a very fine-grained film that is purported to replace the UC-100 film (Ultra Color). The ISO is 100, but I have seen online posts that indicate one might want to overexpose slightly (set meter to ISO 80). Second, the film looks a lot more like results from Ektachrome . Very sharp, contrasty, and saturated. I took my roll to Ritz Camera yesterday for develop only and scan to CD. After I opened up the images in Paint Shop Pro (the latest version is Ultimate X2), they seemed to be too contrasty, so I adjusted the curves, and after that, they all looked quite nice. So, that may be just a matter of the Ritz scanner not yet being calibrated for this film. However, the color saturation reminds me somewhat of results I have gotten from a LOMO camera. Not necessarily a bad thing, IMHO. The photos looked fine. In fact, they really did remind me of slides that I have shot in the past. Kodak acknowledges (on their web site) that Ektar 100 may replace E-6 films for users that like the look, but can only get C-41 processing where they live.
The film is also designed to be easier to scan, but I haven't tried scanning it myself as yet. When I get some time this weekend, I may do that. Overall, I like the film so far -- it's really so superior to the C-41 films that I typically shoot (Kodak Gold and Fuji Superia), that I may decide it's worth the extra cost for a "pro" C-41 film. Right now I have another roll in my Olympus RC camera, with the ISO set at 80. I look forward to seeing more results!
Links to Ektar Information:
I'm encouraged that Kodak is producing new films and improving the technology. Someone there knows that film still has a future.
OMG!! GRAND RAPIDS!! That's where I am from :)
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