Kodak Ultramax 400: A Hidden Gem in Budget Color Film

Kodak Ultramax 400, a 35mm color negative film, is frequently underestimated due to its basic packaging and consumer-oriented branding. However, it offers impressive color vibrancy and solid performance at an affordable price. Originally launched in the late 1980s as Kodacolor Gold 400, it was rebranded to Kodak Gold 400 in 1997 and then to Kodak Ultramax 400 in 2007, with at least nine emulsion updates. Known for its vivid colors, Ultramax 400 excels in rich blues, reds, and greens, although overexposure can lead to yellowing in skin tones. It features noticeable grain with a Print Grain Index of 44, and it allows for significant exposure latitude. The review, featuring works by Zeb Andrews, Renee Heister, and Bret Van Horn, was published on PetaPixel on August 14, 2026.