The desert wind, a gritty, unforgiving presence, whipped across my face as I squinted at the viewfinder. Hours spent baking under the Arizona sun, chasing that specific light. I’d been obsessed, chasing it with a Hasselblad 500C, loading roll after roll of Ektachrome. But Ektachrome… it’s a different beast entirely. This time, though, I had a different trick up my sleeve: a fresh box of Kodak Portra 400, loaded into my battered Leica M6.

This isn’t about nostalgia, even though the smell of a freshly opened film canister always unlocks a core memory. We’re talking about practical color performance. I wanted creamy skin tones, subtle gradients, and a general softness that just doesn’t come from digital sensors, no matter how much you tweak the RAW files. Portra 400, in my experience, delivers. Its fine grain is practically invisible. And its latitude? Phenomenal. You can push or pull this film a stop or two in either direction and still salvage something usable. It’s a lifesaver when you’re shooting in challenging light conditions. That’s a real boon, especially when you’re paying someone to develop and scan your photos, yeah? Wasting film is costly.

The color rendition, to my eyes, leans towards the warm side, unlike the cooler bias often associated with Fujifilm’s Pro 400H (a worthy rival, but now discontinued). This characteristic makes it ideal for portraits, which, let’s face it, is one of its primary functions. The color palette is just dreamy. The way Portra captures skin is…well, it’s just magic, frankly. But it’s not perfect. One small drawback is the cost. Each roll costs more than what you’d pay for a pizza, or two. You’re making a commitment to the craft, which is fine. Still, a work-around? Develop and scan your own negs to cut down on the bill, though.

Now, about the specifics. This Portra 400 is available as 35mm, 120, and larger sheet film formats. If you’re shooting with a medium format, you can expect even more detail and creaminess. The 35mm here on Amazon? It works fine. I’ve even used it in my old, clunky Pentax K1000 to get those great shots. The 5-roll pack is an excellent value, too. Buying it in bulk makes the financial hit a little easier to swallow.

For those photographers prioritizing people, places, and stories over technical perfection, there isn’t a better color film option in this price bracket. Go grab a pack. Your portraits will thank you.