Ektachrome E100

For those used to working with the exacting metering and vibrant colors of Fujichrome films, Kodak E100 is a surprise. Fujichrome films are striking and unforgiving—very little can be done to adjust the tone of the image. Ektachrome has a flat response that can be adjusted using strategic filtration.

In the following image, the paper backdrop (Savage #15 Suede Gray) and the iron-laden rock are rendered in warm tones on Provia. On E100 there is a bias towards yellow-green. The color space is also exceedingly neutral, as if it was designed for post-scan color grading.

Figuring out how to work with this film to produce vivid results has proven to been difficult—Ektachrome E100 requires a new approach to development and scanning.

A New Mindset

The first insight I came across was from Ken Rockwell's brief review of E100G: You can get strong colors on E100G, but you have to point your camera at something colorful to start.

This reminded me that we never simply shoot with Velvia 50. Photographers learned how this film would react at the edge of light, (as Ben Horne said) and they developed a vision based on what the material would deliver.

Cost

I am not normally deterred by the cost of film, but everyone has a limit. The price of a 120 5-pack has dramatically increased over time.

Using a Starscape Filter

Filter factor: 1.4 ( ½ stop )

This filter is known by many names, including Didymium, Red Intensifier, and Light Pollution filters.

Glass which includes rare-earth elements praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium (Nd) function as a bandstop filter for light. Unlike tinted glass, the Hoya RA54 filter is capable of diminishing yellow-green without distorting the entire spectrum.

E100 + RA54 filter / Godox MS300 flash with silver umbrella

Hoya Portrait Filter

Filter factor: 1.15 ( ⅕ stop )

The Hoya Portrait filter is similar to the RA54 filter, but with a far more subtle effect. You can shoot almost anything using this filter with no regret.

Development

Some have claimed that this film should be rated at ISO 80, but in my experience the "box speed" of 100 is accurate.

As with Provia 100F, Ektachrome E100 push processes nicely. Unlike Velvia 50 E100 does not blow out hilights. To gain more saturation and more speed, try push processing.

E100 pushed 1 stop / two Godox MS300 flashes with silver reflectors

The Future of Color

On December 10, 2019 Kodak Alaris announced E100 was available in 120 and 4x5. In 2021 Fujifilm (apparently) stopped manufacturing film altogether, leaving Kodak as the only manufacture in the world still producing color film. It is possible that E100 will be the last color reversal film ever made.

E100 metered at ISO 100 / Kino Flo 5600K florescent

Reciprocity