Kodak Gold 200 120

The Kodak Gold 200 120 is a color negative film for medium format. The film is manufactured by Kodak in the USA.

History of the film

For a long time, the Kodak Gold 200 was a cheap option for taking pictures with a 35mm camera. It was and is a popular choice for snapshots and pictures on vacation.

In March 2022, Kodak Moments, a division of Kodak Alaris, introduced the Kodak Gold 200 120. It is a variant of the Gold 200 for medium format cameras. Unlike 35mm film, medium format film is classified in Kodak’s professional segment.

Information about the film

The Kodak Gold 200 120 is a color film whose light sensitivity is characterized by an ISO value of 200. This ISO value indicates how sensitive the film is to light, with a higher value meaning a smaller amount of light for a correct exposure. The Kodak Gold 200 is characterized by high color saturation, with colors tending to fall into the warmer range of the color spectrum.

This film is ideal for a variety of shooting situations, especially outdoor shots in daylight or slightly cloudy skies. Its warm tones make it ideal for portraits, landscapes and street photography, where it delivers vibrant but natural color reproduction. Its color saturation brings out the details and textures, making it a good choice for creative projects where color is a crucial factor.

Development of the film

Processing a color film like Kodak Gold 200 120 requires the C-41 process. This standardized process, different from developing black and white film, allows the exposed film to be converted into visible images. While you can do the C-41 process yourself with the right chemicals, many photographers choose to process it in a photo lab because of its simplicity and reliability.

After developing the film, you get film strips with the captured images. The next step is usually digitization or making conventional photo prints. In addition to development, many laboratories offer the creation of prints in various sizes.

Digitization of the negatives

A scanner can be used to digitize the negatives, with both photo labs and private scanners available for home use. The digitized photos can then be edited in digital form, shared on social media or used for other purposes.

Formats

The color film can only be used with medium format cameras. The number of images depends on the exposure format. In most cases, 12 images fit on a roll of film. There is a wide range of different medium format cameras for exposing the film. Popular brands include Lomography, Hasselblad and Agfa.

Storage

In order to preserve the quality of the unexposed film material, such as the Kodak Gold 200 120, and to avoid loss of quality in the later photos, it is important to store it under optimal conditions. Long-term storage of the film should be in a dry and cool place. Moisture and high temperatures can damage the film material and reduce its sensitivity.

To achieve the best results, it is also recommended to develop the exposed film as quickly as possible. A delay between exposure and development can affect image quality because chemical processes in the film can continue even after exposure. Timely development ensures that the images captured are of the best possible quality.

Comparison to the Kodak Ektar 100 and Portra 160

The Kodak Gold 200 is of course in direct competition with other medium format color films from Kodak. The point that Kodak itself is heavily promoting is the low price compared to the other two films. But of course the films also differ in the visual impression.

The Kodak Gold 200 is particularly striking for its warm and vibrant tones, with a tendency towards slightly more saturated colors, making it ideal for a variety of scenarios including street, landscape and everyday photography.

On the other hand, there is the Kodak Ektar 100*, which is known for its extremely vivid color reproduction. It is often considered the most colorful of Kodak films, making it an excellent choice for landscape and nature photography, especially in situations where high color saturation and fine grain are preferred.

The Kodak Portra 160*, on the other hand, offers natural and balanced colors. Its ability to reproduce skin tones excellently makes it a top choice for portrait photography, including weddings and fashion photography.