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Film Comparison - Portra 400 vs Cinestill 400D

Writer's picture: NickNick

Updated: Feb 3

Kodak Portra 400 is a reliable favorite of countless photographers and we thought it would be useful to see what Cinestill's daylight balanced 400D film looks like in comparison with it when shot under the same conditions.


We already love using Cinestill 800T for its unique tungsten color balance that lends a cooler tone to our photos and a few years ago we were excited to see Cinestill add 400D to their lineup. The D in 400D stands for daylight because 400D is designed to produce natural color in daylight conditions so we were curious how it would stack up against an old reliable favorite like Portra.

This isn't an exhaustive comparison since we only shot a single roll of each but the differences in color rendition are obvious. All images were shot with a Mamiya RZ67 Pro II, 110mm Lens, and both films were rated at 200. (We find most color films tend to produce more pleasing results when they are overexposed a little). The rolls were processed and scanned here at Bay Photo Film on our Noritsu film scanner.


This landscape shot immediately shows how Portra 400 renders colors more true to life and the Cinestill is more stylized. We were surprised with just how much additional cyan it has in the highlights and the stronger reds in the midtones and shadows.
This landscape shot immediately shows how Portra 400 renders colors more true to life and the Cinestill is more stylized. We were surprised with just how much additional cyan it has in the highlights and the stronger reds in the midtones and shadows.

In this closer detail crop you can see that the detail capture and grain is pretty similar between both films.
In this closer detail crop you can see that the detail capture and grain is pretty similar between both films.

In this shot we think both films make for a good image with the Portra again being more natural and the Cinestill showing off the stronger cyans in the sky and water.
In this shot we think both films make for a good image with the Portra again being more natural and the Cinestill showing off the stronger cyans in the sky and water.

If you're someone who's interested in films that have an alternative color rendering and enjoy a slightly more retro look, Cinestill 400D is a great film to try.
If you're someone who's interested in films that have an alternative color rendering and enjoy a slightly more retro look, Cinestill 400D is a great film to try.

Detail is similar between them but those red shadows are pretty strong in the Cinestill!
Detail is similar between them but those red shadows are pretty strong in the Cinestill!
We went into the studio for a couple of portrait comparisons and the difference in skin and overall color rendering is huge. Portra always nails the skin tones and it was interesting to see how Cinestill renders colors in almost an opposite way with the shadows leaning red and the midtones and highlights getting a lot of yellow and cyan.
We went into the studio for a couple of portrait comparisons and the difference in skin and overall color rendering is huge. Portra always nails the skin tones and it was interesting to see how Cinestill renders colors in almost an opposite way with the shadows leaning red and the midtones and highlights getting a lot of yellow and cyan.

If you're looking for natural and more traditionally flattering portraits, Portra is the way to go.
If you're looking for natural and more traditionally flattering portraits, Portra is the way to go.

Cinestill 400D could be a good option if you're shooting something where realism isn't the focus and you want more stylized colors. Art portraits, fashion, and retro inspired shoots would be great times to experiment with it.
Cinestill 400D could be a good option if you're shooting something where realism isn't the focus and you want more stylized colors. Art portraits, fashion, and retro inspired shoots would be great times to experiment with it.

Film comparisons like this usually aren't about declaring a winner and a loser so much as a way to see how two films do in the same situations and give us an idea of when we might want to use them. Overall it was surprising to see just how different the color rendition is from the Cinestill. Even though it's daylight balanced, the strong reds in the darker areas combined with the yellow/cyan highlights give it a unique look compared to the other 400 speed color options from Kodak and Fuji.


While I may be drawn to the smooth tones and natural look of Portra 400, you might prefer that slightly retro-faded look of Cinestill 400D so give it a try and see if it's character resonates with you!







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