Welcome back photography enthusiasts! Today we’re going to do a detailed comparison between two of Kodak’s most popular color negative films – Kodak Gold 200 and Kodak Colorplus 200. Choosing the right film can be tricky, so we’ll look at everything from image quality and grain structure to price and availability. By the end, you’ll know which of these films is the better option for your needs.
First, let’s go over some background on each of these films. Kodak Gold 200 (also known as Kodak Max or Kodak Ultramax) is one of Kodak’s longest running and most popular color negative films. First introduced in 1988, it’s been a staple of drugstore camera aisles ever since. Kodak Colorplus 200, on the other hand, is a more recent offering in Kodak’s film lineup. It was introduced in 2010 as a low-cost alternative to Gold 200.
Both films are easy to find and inexpensive, making them great options for beginner and hobbyist photographers. However, they do have some key differences that impact image quality. In this article, we’ll compare everything from grain, color rendition, sharpness, and more. We’ll also touch on price, special features, and availability of each film.
Image Quality
Let’s start by looking at the most important factor – image quality. How do Gold 200 and Colorplus 200 compare when it comes to details like sharpness, grain, and color?
Sharpness
When comparing sharpness, Kodak Gold 200 wins out. It produces noticeably sharper and more detailed images straight out of the camera. Fine details like fabric textures and foliage are rendered with excellent clarity. Colorplus 200’s images, on the other hand, tend to be a bit softer and less defined.
Grain
In terms of grain, Colorplus 200 has a slight edge. It has finer grain than Gold 200, especially in areas like skies. This gives images a smoother, cleaner look at low ISOs. Gold 200 exhibits moderate grain that becomes more pronounced when pushing higher ISOs or enlarging prints. Overall though, both films have very usable grain that adds a nice texture.
Color Rendition
For color, Gold 200 steps back into the lead. It produces rich, vibrant colors with lots of saturation. Blues and greens are especially intense and lifelike. Colorplus also has nice color but it’s a bit more muted. The tones are less punchy overall, which lends a softer, more pastel look.
So in summary, Kodak Gold 200 has the edge when it comes to sharpness and color vibrancy, while Colorplus 200 is smoother and less grainy. Pick Gold for crisp, vivid shots and Colorplus when you want a dreamy, ethereal look.
Film Speed
Both Kodak Gold 200 and Colorplus 200 are ISO 200 speed films. This makes them versatile options suitable for outdoor shots in good light. You can also use them indoors with flash or a tripod. However, they lack the fast speed required for low light or action shots without a flash.
If you need more sensitivity, Kodak makes Gold 400 which is an ISO 400 film with similar characteristics. There is no higher speed version of Colorplus though.
Special Features
Kodak Gold 200 has one special feature that gives it an edge – it’s formulated to look great under a wide range of lighting conditions. This makes it extremely versatile. You can shoot it outdoors in sunlight or indoors under tungsten/incandescent light and the color balance will come out neutral.
Colorplus 200 is balanced mainly for daylight and flash. Indoor shots under artificial lighting will come out quite warm and orange. This can be fixed using color correcting filters or channel swapping during development, but it’s an extra hassle.
Price
When it comes to price, Colorplus 200 has a noticeable advantage. It sells for around $4-6 per roll depending on format. Gold 200 costs around $1-2 more per roll, retailing for $5-8. So while not hugely cheaper, Colorplus definitely saves you a little money over the course of multiple rolls.
| Film | 35mm Price (36 exp) | 120 Price (12 exp) |
|---|---|---|
| Kodak Gold 200 | $7 | $8 |
| Kodak Colorplus 200 | $5 | $6 |
As you can see in the table, Colorplus 200 offers around a $1-2 price advantage per roll over Gold 200 in common formats.
Availability
In terms of availability, Kodak Gold 200 has a clear advantage. It’s carried by virtually every store that sells film, from large retailers to specialty camera shops. Colorplus 200 can be a bit harder to track down. It’s often out of stock and has more limited distribution.
Part of this comes down to popularity – Gold outsells Colorplus by a wide margin, so Kodak produces a lot more of it. But it also reflects Kodak’s focus on pushing Gold as their default color film. For best chances of finding it, look for Colorplus 200 at larger stores like Walmart or Target.
Conclusion
So which is better in the battle of Kodak Gold 200 vs Colorplus 200? In truth, there’s no single winner – it depends on your priorities as a photographer.
If rich, vibrant color and ultra-sharp details are most important, then Kodak Gold 200 is the best choice. It delivers excellent image quality and is easy to find. Just be prepared to pay a small premium over Colorplus.
For those on a tight budget looking for smoother grain and softer tonality, Colorplus 200 has the edge. It’s cheaper and has a delicate, dreamy look when shot in the right conditions. Just be aware it can lean orange indoors.
Both are great films for beginner and intermediate photographers. Kodak has optimized them for hassle-free shooting with great results. The choice ultimately comes down to the look and feel you prefer in your photos. Evaluate some sample shots and decide which resonates most with your creative vision.
Let us know in the comments which Kodak film you love shooting and why! There are no wrong answers when it comes to finding your perfect film match.
