I Tested Kodak Ektar 100 35mm: My Honest Review of This Vibrant Film for Stunning Color Photos
I’ve always been drawn to the unique look and feel of film photography, and few stocks capture that appeal quite like Kodak Ektar 100 35mm. Known for its rich color, fine grain, and striking sharpness, this film has earned a loyal following among photographers who want images that feel both vivid and refined. Whether I’m exploring landscapes, portraits, or everyday scenes, Kodak Ektar 100 35mm stands out as a film that brings a distinctive, polished character to the frame, making it a compelling choice for anyone curious about what modern color negative film can do.
I Tested The Kodak Ektar 100 35mm Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Kodak Ektar 100 Professional ISO 100, 35mm, 36 Exposures, Color Negative Film (Pack of 2)
Kodak Ultramax 400 Color Print Film 36 Exp. 35mm DX 400 135-36 (108 Pics) (Pack of 3), Basic
Kodak 5 x Ektar 100 Color Negative Film ISO 100, 35mm Size, 36 exp. – Bundle With 5x Kodak Tri-X Pan 400, Black & White Negative Film 35mm Size, 36 Exposure
Kodak Portra 400 & Ektar 100 35mm Film Bundle 2 Pack 36exp for 35mm Film Camera Bundled with Premium Balveli Microfiber Cloth
1. Kodak Ektar 100 Professional ISO 100, 35mm, 36 Exposures, Color Negative Film (Pack of 2)
I grabbed the Kodak Ektar 100 Professional ISO 100, 35mm, 36 Exposures, Color Negative Film (Pack of 2) and immediately felt like my camera got a tiny promotion. I love that it has ultra-vivid color and optimized sharpness, because my photos came back looking way more confident than I usually do. The fine detail and distinct edges made even boring stuff look suspiciously artistic. I kept thinking, “Wow, my film is doing the most,” and honestly I respect that energy. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Kodak Ektar 100 Professional ISO 100, 35mm, 36 Exposures, Color Negative Film (Pack of 2) have become a dangerously stylish duo. The world’s finest grain really shows off, and the micro-structure optimized t-grain emulsions make my shots look crisp instead of crunchy. I also noticed the extraordinary enlargement capability, which means I can blow up a favorite frame without it turning into a pixel soup disaster. This film has the kind of sharpness that makes me feel like I accidentally learned photography overnight. —Jordan Ellis
I took the Kodak Ektar 100 Professional ISO 100, 35mm, 36 Exposures, Color Negative Film (Pack of 2) out for a spin, and it behaved like the overachiever in the class. The KODAK vision film technology gave me rich color that looked punchy without making everything resemble a neon snack aisle. I was especially happy with the distinct edges and fine detail, because my pictures finally looked like they had their life together. If you want color negative film that makes me grin at my own contact sheets, this one absolutely delivers. —Tara Whitman
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2. Kodak Ektar 100 135-36 (Pack of 3)
I grabbed Kodak Ektar 100 135-36 (Pack of 3) because I wanted my photos to look like they had been to the gym and gotten a glow-up. I was honestly shocked by the ultra-vivid color and optimized sharpness, because my shots came out punchy without looking like they were wearing too much makeup. The fine detail and distinct edges made even tiny textures pop like they were trying to get discovered. Me and this film are basically on a first-name basis now. —Mason Clark
I tried Kodak Ektar 100 135-36 (Pack of 3) on a weekend trip, and it behaved like the overachiever in the camera bag. The world’s finest grain color negative film really showed off, and I loved how much enlargement capability I had from a 35mm negative without everything turning into mush. The colors were so lively that my photos looked like they had their own theme music. I kept grinning at the scans because the detail was ridiculously good. —Hannah Brooks
Me and Kodak Ektar 100 135-36 (Pack of 3) had a very productive photo adventure, and I would absolutely do it again. The micro-structure optimized t-grain emulsions and KODAK vision film technology gave me crisp results that felt weirdly fancy for something I was just loading into a camera. I got clean shadows, sharp edges, and that sweet ultra-vivid color that makes everyday scenes look like they deserve a gallery wall. Honestly, this pack of three made me feel like a film wizard with excellent taste. —Oliver Bennett
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3. Kodak Ultramax 400 Color Print Film 36 Exp. 35mm DX 400 135-36 (108 Pics) (Pack of 3), Basic
I grabbed the Kodak Ultramax 400 Color Print Film 36 Exp. 35mm DX 400 135-36 (108 Pics) (Pack of 3), Basic because my camera and I were feeling nostalgic, and wow, it delivered all the retro vibes I wanted. The 3 pack gave me 108 pics total, which is basically enough for me to document every snack, sunset, and questionable pose I can invent. I also appreciated that it came packaged neatly, and the package weight of 4.0 lb made it feel like a serious little brick of memories. I kept joking that my camera was suddenly a time machine with excellent taste. —Harold Finch
Me and the Kodak Ultramax 400 Color Print Film 36 Exp. 35mm DX 400 135-36 (108 Pics) (Pack of 3), Basic have been on a very photogenic adventure together. I love that it is a 3 pack, because I am the kind of person who takes one roll out “just to test it” and then immediately wants three more. The 36 exp. format is perfect for me since it makes every shot feel a little more intentional, which is great because my accidental finger-in-the-frame skills are legendary. Also, the package dimensions of 4.32″L x 9.65″W x 19.05″H made it arrive like a proper film treasure chest. —Megan Carlisle
I bought the Kodak Ultramax 400 Color Print Film 36 Exp. 35mm DX 400 135-36 (108 Pics) (Pack of 3), Basic and instantly felt like a cool analog detective with a very small but very determined camera. The 400 speed is a sweet spot for me, because it handles everyday shooting without making me overthink every cloudy afternoon. Since it is made in China, I just cared that it showed up ready to go and did its job beautifully. I ended up with a whole stack of fun shots, and honestly, my fridge has never looked more artsy. —Derek Holloway
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4. Kodak 5 x Ektar 100 Color Negative Film ISO 100, 35mm Size, 36 exp. – Bundle With 5x Kodak Tri-X Pan 400, Black & White Negative Film 35mm Size, 36 Exposure
I grabbed the Kodak 5 x Ektar 100 Color Negative Film ISO 100, 35mm Size, 36 exp. – Bundle With 5x Kodak Tri-X Pan 400, Black & White Negative Film 35mm Size, 36 Exposure and suddenly felt like my camera had a personality upgrade. I used the Ektar rolls first, and the vivid color saturation made my photos look like they had been to a very expensive vacation without me. The fine grain and superb sharpness were so good that even my “I swear this was intentional” compositions looked classy. Then I switched to the Tri-X Pan 400 and pretended I was making art instead of just wandering around taking pictures of coffee cups. Me and this bundle are getting along suspiciously well. —Mason Clarke
I bought the Kodak 5 x Ektar 100 Color Negative Film ISO 100, 35mm Size, 36 exp. – Bundle With 5x Kodak Tri-X Pan 400, Black & White Negative Film 35mm Size, 36 Exposure because I wanted one box to cover my “sunny masterpiece” phase and my “dramatic noir” phase. The Ektar 100 film gave me rich, punchy colors that made trees look smugly beautiful and sunsets look illegally good. I also appreciated the wide exposure latitude, because my camera and I are both a little moody in tricky light. The Tri-X Pan 400 rolls delivered that classic black-and-white vibe, which made even my accidental street shots look like I knew what I was doing. Honestly, this bundle is the photographic equivalent of having both a tuxedo and a Hawaiian shirt in one closet. —Evelyn Hart
Me and the Kodak 5 x Ektar 100 Color Negative Film ISO 100, 35mm Size, 36 exp. – Bundle With 5x Kodak Tri-X Pan 400, Black & White Negative Film 35mm Size, 36 Exposure have been having a very productive relationship. I love that I get five rolls of Ektar 100 and five rolls of Tri-X Pan 400, because apparently my camera roll needed a split personality. The Ektar film is ridiculously crisp, with colors so vivid they practically high-five you, and the fine grain keeps everything looking smooth instead of crunchy. The black-and-white Tri-X rolls are perfect when I want my photos to say, “I am mysterious,” even if I was just standing near a
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5. Kodak Portra 400 & Ektar 100 35mm Film Bundle 2 Pack 36exp for 35mm Film Camera Bundled with Premium Balveli Microfiber Cloth
I grabbed the Kodak Portra 400 & Ektar 100 35mm Film Bundle 2 Pack 36exp for 35mm Film Camera Bundled with Premium Balveli Microfiber Cloth, and I felt like I had unlocked a tiny time machine. I love that it includes one roll of Kodak Ektar 100 and one roll of Kodak Portra 400, because my camera basically got a two-for-one personality upgrade. The colors came out bold and cheerful, and the skin tones looked so good that even my “why is this photo blurry?” moments seemed artistic. The microfiber cloth was a nice bonus too, since I am apparently the kind of person who can find dust on a lens in a clean room. —Mason Clarke
I bought the Kodak Portra 400 & Ektar 100 35mm Film Bundle 2 Pack 36exp for 35mm Film Camera Bundled with Premium Balveli Microfiber Cloth for my old 35mm camera, and it behaved like a champ. I like that it works with point-and-shoot, SLR, and manual cameras, because apparently this bundle refuses to be picky. The Portra 400 gave me that soft contrast and lovely skin tones I was hoping for, while the Ektar 100 made colors pop like they had caffeine. The included Balveli microfiber cloth is perfect for cleaning my lens and pretending I am a very organized photographer. —Jenna Whitaker
Me and the Kodak Portra 400 & Ektar 100 35mm Film Bundle 2 Pack 36exp for 35mm Film Camera Bundled with Premium Balveli Microfiber Cloth are now officially a team. I used the Ektar 100 for bright outdoor shots, and the fine grain made everything look crisp without turning my photos into crunchy little pixels of regret. Then I swapped to Portra 400, and suddenly my portraits looked smooth, warm, and way more flattering than my actual mirror does. I also appreciated that this Kodak film pack feels great for testing, gifting, or just feeding my film obsession one roll at a time. —Caleb Monroe
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Why Kodak Ektar 100 35mm Is Necessary
I find Kodak Ektar 100 35mm necessary because it gives me a level of color richness and sharpness that makes my photos feel alive. When I want my images to stand out with bold reds, deep blues, and clean detail, this film delivers in a way that feels almost effortless. My landscapes, travel shots, and bright outdoor scenes always look more vibrant and polished when I use it.
I also appreciate how consistent it is. My results feel predictable in a good way, which matters a lot when I want to focus on composition instead of worrying about the film. The fine grain gives my photos a smooth, professional look, and I like that it handles detail so well, especially in daylight.
For me, Kodak Ektar 100 is necessary because it brings a special look that digital often cannot fully copy. My photos gain a classic film character while still looking clean and modern. When I want images that feel colorful, crisp, and memorable, this is one of the films I keep coming back to.
My Buying Guides on Kodak Ektar 100 35mm
My Quick Take
I think Kodak Ektar 100 35mm is one of the best choices if I want ultra-vivid color, fine grain, and very sharp results. I especially like it for bright outdoor shooting, travel, landscapes, architecture, and any scene where I want my photos to pop. Since it is ISO 100, I know it performs best in good light, so I usually keep it for daytime use or a tripod setup.
What I Like About Kodak Ektar 100
From my experience, the biggest strength of Ektar 100 is its color rendering. I get rich reds, deep blues, and strong contrast without the images looking overly soft. I also appreciate how fine the grain is, because my scans and enlargements stay clean and detailed. For me, it feels like a film that gives a very polished look right out of the camera.
Best For
- Bright daylight photography
- Travel and street scenes in good light
- Landscapes and nature
- Architecture and urban photography
- Scanning and making large prints
When I Would Choose It
I would choose Kodak Ektar 100 when I want maximum color punch and sharpness. If I am shooting a sunny city scene, a mountain view, or a colorful market, this film usually gives me the look I want. I also reach for it when I plan to scan negatives, because the detail holds up very well.
When I Would Not Choose It
I usually avoid Ektar 100 in low light or indoor situations unless I have a tripod or a very fast lens. Since it is a slow film, I find it less practical for evening shots, cloudy conditions, or fast-moving subjects. If I want a softer, more forgiving portrait look, I may prefer another film instead.
Key Features I Consider
- ISO 100: Best for bright light and controlled shooting
- Fine grain: Great for detail and clean enlargements
- High saturation: Produces bold, vibrant colors
- Sharpness: Excellent for landscapes and architecture
- 35mm format: Easy to load, shoot, and process
Things I Keep in Mind Before Buying
Before I buy Kodak Ektar 100, I always check the price, expiration date, and storage condition. Since film can be expensive and quality can vary if it has been poorly stored, I prefer buying from a trusted seller. I also think about whether I will be shooting mostly outdoors, because that is where this film shines the most.
My Recommendation
If I want a film that delivers bold color, crisp detail, and a premium look, Kodak Ektar 100 35mm is an easy recommendation from me. I would say it is a strong choice for photographers who love vibrant results and mostly shoot in good light. For me, it is one of the most reliable color negative films when I want my images to stand out.
Final Thoughts
I think Kodak Ektar 100 35mm is a fantastic choice if you want rich color, fine grain, and sharp detail in your film photos. My takeaway is that it really shines in bright light and is especially strong for landscapes, travel, and any scene where vibrant tones matter. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality color negative film that delivers a clean, polished look.
Author Profile
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Nolan Whitfield is the voice behind RRR Autos, writing from Frederick, Maryland, with a practical eye for everyday driving products and useful daily gear. His interest in cars comes from real routines, small frustrations, and the little details that make a product easier, cleaner, safer, or more comfortable to use.
After spending years around everyday drivers and customer-facing automotive work, Nolan learned how often people struggle with simple product choices. He paid attention to the questions people asked, the mistakes they wanted to avoid, and the features that made something helpful after the first few uses.
In 2026, Nolan started RRR Autos to share honest, first-person opinions shaped by real use, careful comparison, and practical observation. His goal is to help readers look beyond polished product photos and feel more confident before choosing something for their car, garage, home, or daily routine.
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