Ode to Kodak Gold 200

[NaChase]

I had put off shooting the couple of rolls of Kodak Gold 200 I have in favor of "better" (more expensive) film for a couple years now. Long has this poor, unappreciated film sat unused in a multitude of camera bags, waiting for its chance to shine. Finally, on a whim, I took out the M6 and went on a walk with the fiancee to the local battlefield and didn't want to "waste" a roll of Portra or whatever, so I shot me some Kodak Gold 200. Here's what happened next:


More Symmetry by N.Chase, on Flickr

Sunset Over Sackets by N.Chase, on Flickr

Early Evening Bokeh by N.Chase, on Flickr

Wind Blown by N.Chase, on Flickr
Brilliant photos, no, but the watercolor-like effect of the film is really nice.

[gb hill]

Good stuff. I really like the browns with this film. I have 2 rolls left I think. BTW don't use the words "waste my good film" when taking photos of your fiancee especially since you are still engaged. Wait til you have tied the knot. Then you can say stuff like that & it wont much matter.

[Vics]

I did a bunch of tests of C-41 films, and found that this one (Gold 200) was best, all around.

Art Show by Victor Ross, on Flickr

[charjohncarter]

I think Gold 200 and 100 hold their own. For me Portra is better for skin tones, but do you do a portrait on a whole roll? I've been using it for many years and have never been disappointed. This is on Route66:



The colors were just about like that, too.

[AAlfano]

I picked up a couple of four-roll packs of this film at CVS on closeout last year at, I think, $2.99 per pack. Haven't shot it yet, but looking forward to trying it.

I also saw that Target has it on clearance right now for $2.99 for a three-roll pack. May pick up some more the next time I'm there!

[telenous]

Kodak Gold 200 is very nice, Kodak Gold 100 even nicer. They deserve an ode and, things being how they are, possibly an elegy too.

I used a bunch of both this summer for holiday/family snaps. They are grainier than both Portras, obviously Ektar too. I find the palette more 'painterly' and saturated rather than accurate. I agree with the comment about them not being geared toward portraiture, not that skin tones are half-bad, mind you.






Kodak Gold 200:





Kodak Gold 100:





.

[Vics]

Is Gold 100 still with us?

[ray*j*gun]

Yes def an Ode film I use it and like it very much.

[ChrisPlatt]

Originally Posted by Vics

Is Gold 100 still with us?

It's currently in stock at B&H and Adorama.

Chris

[nikkor-watching]

The Royal Gold was very good.

[Greyscale]

Royal Gold was the same as Kodak HD , if I recall correctly.

I think that I shoot more Kodak Gold 200 than anything else, mainly because a local drugstore has tons of it (of unknown vintage) for $2.00 a roll. If I dig through the bargain bin long enough, sometimes a roll of Gold 100 wil appear, but mostly 200, HD 400, an Max 400 and 800.

[BlackXList]

Gold is my standard "grab it if I want a decent looking shot" film, if it's something important, I'll grab Portra, but generally I'm happy with what I get from Gold

If I'm just shooting away daily it'll either be the pound shop Agfa Vistaplus (Fuji) or if I'm wanting more from the negatives Gold, I've yet to be let down by it, and I have to admit, I much prefer the Kodak colour pallette to Fuji.

[Retrotech68]

I like the stuff. Always got consistent results when shooting Gold 200. In fact, used it a lot for the same reasons as Greyscale.
The palette is indeed - or least my eyes perceive it that way - quite saturated. In very bright sunny days, it will make vivid, strong colours even stronger and 'densier'.

[Jamie Pillers]

The OP's portraits are beautiful. I like the first and fourth the best.

So... does Gold 200 come in 4x5? :-)

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by Jamie Pillers

So... does Gold 200 come in 4x5? :-)

No... and neither does any other consumer-level film.

[CameraQuest]

odes might belong in general interest

threads about film belong in the film forum.

Stephen

[ianstamatic]

Leica CL gold 200 june 2012

There is a fairly large dynamic range in the second image.
To be totally honest i do prefer porta .

[NaChase]

Originally Posted by CameraQuest

odes might belong in general interest

threads about film belong in the film forum.

Stephen

Do pardon my transgression Stephen, chief of mods.

[Peter_S]

Try to shot at Iso 160 and dev. normally.