Kodachrome vs. Ektachrome – A Film Simulation Showdown
I have two very similar film simulation recipes that both produce results quite close to their namesake slide films: Kodachrome II and Ektachrome 100SW. Even though the settings are nearly the same, the looks that they produce are quite different. As I was thinking about this, I was reminded of the old “Kodachrome vs. Ektachrome” debate from the days of film. There were people who preferred one over the other for various reasons. Kodachrome was more iconic. Ektachrome had more variations. Despite the fact that they were both color transparencies made by the same company, I could probably write a long article about the differences between the two films, but this blog is about Fujifilm X cameras and not Kodak film stocks.
What I wanted to do here is compare the two film simulation recipes side by side. I will show them both, and you can decide which is best for you. It’s kind of a revival of the old debate, but with a modern twist. Kodachrome or Ektachrome? You get to decide which is the better film simulation recipe!
Take a look at the pictures below:
Welcome to Ogden – Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T20 “Kodachrome II”
Winter Mountain – Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T20 “Ektachrome 100SW”
Desert Juniper – Zion NP, UT – Fujifilm X100F “Kodachrome II”
Juniper – Zion NP, UT – Fujifilm X100F “Ektachrome 100SW”
Pueblo de Taos – Taos, NM – Fujifilm X-Pro2 “Kodachrome II”
View From Mount Carmel Tunnel – Zion NP, UT – Fujifilm X100F “Ektachrome 100SW”
Kodak Transparencies – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-T20 “Kodachrome II”
Kodak Transparencies – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-T20 “Ektachrome 100SW”
What I like about the Kodachrome II recipe is that it produces a vintage color look that reminds me of the images found on the pages of old magazines, such as National Geographic and Arizona Highways. As I look through my grandparent’s old slide collection (which I have at home), I can see this look in their old photographs from 50 or so years ago. It’s such a fantastic recipe for Fujifilm X cameras, and I just love it!
What I like about the Ektachrome 100SW recipe is that it produces a color look that reminds me of some images that I have captured with the actual film. The film was good for western landscapes or any situation where you needed some color saturation with a warm color cast. It wasn’t around for very long because it was only marginally commercially successful, but it was one of the better variations of Ektachrome film in my opinion.
What do you think, Kodachrome or Ektachrome? Let me know in the comments which film simulation recipe you like best!