Kodak Portra 800 film recipe on the Sony a6700 camera

Feb 103 min read

Kodak Portra 800 is one of the community’s top 10 most-loved film simulations—and it’s easy to see why. It offers a high dynamic range, buttery soft contrast, and vibrant, candy-like colors. And it's perfect for portraits and travel yet flexible enough to work for almost any genre of photography.

If you’ve ever wanted a simple way to get a nostalgic yet polished look straight out of your Sony camera, this one’s worth trying. And the best part? You can grab the recipe for free.

Kodak Portra 800 film recipe on Sony a6700 in Ravello, Italy

Kodak Portra 800 Film Stock Characteristics

Kodak Portra 800 is a high-speed, daylight-balanced color negative film with an ISO of 800 which costs around $17. What makes Kodak Portra 800 special is its versatility, color reproduction and the way it handles low-light situations. It’s what makes it a favorite amongst photographers who need flexibility without compromising image quality.

Grain and Sharpness

While higher ISO films often exhibit more grain, Portra 800 manages to maintain a fine grain structure. In 35mm format, the grain adds a tactile, raw quality to images, which many find appealing. In medium format (120), the grain is even less noticeable, delivering smooth and sharp results.

Color Rendition and Contrast

Portra 800 is known for its natural color reproduction, especially when it comes to skin tones. It offers a balanced saturation with low contrast, which renders vivid yes true to life images. You can also achieve pastel colors with this film (if you overexpose it and shoot in the right light conditions).

Exposure Latitude

This is what truly makes Portra 800 shine. You can push it to 1600 ISO without loosing image quality.

Thanks to its impressive dynamic range, it handles changes in exposure effortlessly.

In fact, if you overexpose it by +2/3 stops, you’ll get softer, pastel-like colors with a more muted look—perfect for those who want a dreamy, almost ethereal vibe in their photos.

But it's not just about overexposure. Portra 800 handles underexposure pretty well, too. While some films might show significant degradation in shadow details when underexposed, Portra 800 holds onto those details and keeps the overall look intact, even in less-than-ideal lighting situations.

Kodak Portra 800 Recipe Colors & Characteristics

This Kodak Portra 800 film simulation delivers warm, dreamy tones with soft contrast, making it perfect for portraits, travel, fashion, and more. It adds a fantasy-like, almost painterly quality to your images, enhancing your scenes with a subtle, magical touch.

Natural Color Reproduction

Renowned for its true-to-life color rendering, the Portra 800 recipe excels in capturing natural, flattering skin tones, making it a go-to for portrait and wedding photographers. Its subtle warmth enhances subjects, adding depth and character while still feeling natural, yet cinematic.

How to Properly Expose the Kodak Portra 800 Film Simulation

Exposing this film simulation can be tricky, as many tend to underexpose it on their first try. To achieve clean, well-balanced shadows, I recommend setting your exposure to +1 or even +2 EV. If needed, you can reduce shadows in post for finer control.

Portra 800’s high dynamic range can sometimes feel too soft, so adding a touch of contrast in post can help refine the look while maintaining its signature tones. Still, it's wild that we can achieve this look with in-camera adjustments.

If you're a fan of Kodak Portra 400, I’ve got an article showcasing JPEGs of the Kodak Portra 400 recipe. Check it out if you're curious!