Great colours in almost any light, even fluorescent Sharp grain 30+ years archive life

An endangered species...

After a year experimenting with a range of slide films, I've come back to K200 as an all-purpose film. For me, ISO200 is a perfect speed, and the consistently solid colours (especially reds and yellows) that K200 gives without having to worry about refrigerated storage make it my first choice. I've read a lot of criticism of this film; let me give my 2 cents worth on 3 points often raised: Firstly, why is grain size such a big issue? No-one ever criticsed Monet for having overly large brush-strokes...grain is part of what makes a photograph an interpretation of reality, not a blind copy. Secondly, although K200 can appear a little warm in bad light, it's a lot better than the blue cast you get with most other films. Finally, waiting 2 weeks to get films processed is, for an amateur like me at least, part of the anticipation that lets you re-live the photographic experience again, something digital cameras are taking away altogether. If you like Kodachrome colours at all, please try this film; it was narrowly saved from extinction last year and is probably still on Kodak's incomprehensible hit-list.

Customer Service

Adequate...

Similar Products Used:

Ektachrome 200 Ektachrome P1600 Fujichrome Velvia Fujichrome Provia 100F Kodachrome 64

None that I can see

Where do I begin? - Grainy - overpriced compared to Fuji Sensia - dreadful pink cast that spoiled some otherwise good photos - lack of colour saturation

Despite being a regular Fuji user I approached this product with an open mind. I have only shot two rolls of this film on a holiday to Argentina but the results were so poor that they will be last two rolls of Kodachrome I ever shoot. The grain was much, MUCH more noticeable than equivalent Fuji films with a similar ISO rating (ie Sensia 200). Additionally the colour rendition was very poor. The colours lacked the saturation of equivalent Fuji products and the biggest fault of all was the very strong pink cast when used in cloudy conditions (which as mentioned before is exactly when you are going to use a faster film like this). Compared to Fuji Provia or Fuji Sensia this was a very poor film.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Fuji Sensia 100, 200, 400, Fuji Provia 100F, Fuji Velvia, Kodak Elitechrome 100, 200.

Sharpness, archival qualities, slightly warm colour, "Kodachrome Look."

Very grainy, not a landscape film at all.

After reading countless negative reviews about this film, it is safe to say I had very low expectations of K200. Well, after reviewing my slides from the first roll I shot...I was actually fairly pleased with this fim. I am a huge fan of Kodachrome films, with K25 being my all time favorite. The sharpness of K200 is great! Very sharp! I also liked the warm colour palette. As always, the reds were excellent. But as I expected...the film is very grainy. I found this not to be distracting on close ups, but a major factor on landscapes. Almost to the point of being unusable. But the film does have that classic "Kodachrome look." I don't think I'll shoot many rolls of K200 in the future. I'll continue to use my stock pile of K25, and also shoot K64. I give this film an above average review mainly because of its sharpness, and the K-14 process. It would be great if Kodak improved the grain structure...until then...no 4 or 5 star rating here.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

K25, K64, Fugichrome Velvia, Kodak E100S, Elite chrome 100 extra color.

None

None

It''s hard for me to imagine that this is the best seller of the Kodachromes. I pick up a roll every few years and am always amaized at the excessive grain. I wish KR 64 and KM 25 were up for review as I would give both 5 stars but this film get a 2, only because I love the Kodachrome process. Long live Kodachrome! RIP old friend KM 25.

Similar Products Used:

None

OK color reproduction
Very sharp

Very, very grainy.

If you like grain, then this is a good film. Otherwise, you'd be better off with one of the good 200-speed E-6 films. The color is good, but in my opinion the film is too grainy to be acceptable for general use.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Kodak Elite Chrome 200

Dead sharp, like its slower siblings, sizzling reds, 'toothy' grain structure which is effective for photojournalism-style shooting. Reliable processing from Kodak. Haven't noticed any difference bewteen the amateur KL and PKL, as long as the regular KL is near expiration date.

Maybe too reddish and warm for some people's tastes, a touch grainy if you're used to seeing landscape images. The Professional version is incredibly expensive - let the regular KL age to near expiry!

If you are a zoom lens affectionado, with typical slowish maximum apertures, and are a Kodachrome fan, this film will allow you to get the most from that slow zoom. Naturally, if you shoot action, K200 has inherent virtues. I simply love the reds and overall color saturation; I have now settled on this emulsion as my 'PJ' film for shooting people and pubic events. I hope Kodak continue to make it as long as traditional film technology is in use.

Customer Service

Usually reliable, but get the odd scratched slide and screaming blue devil marks!

Similar Products Used:

K25 and K64, in amateur and professional versions, plus the PKL emulsion.

Consistent colour
Sharp, deep blacks
Neutral colours Adequately fine grain for a 200ISO film.

None

Have been using this film, K64 and Sensia 100 for many years. Has an excellent balance between speed and quality for typical UK weather. Grainwise, it has improved tremendously. Early slides show excessive grain. Recent ones are fine - I use Leica Colorplan projection lenses which are very revealing. Processing quality by Kodak is fine, but slow. Have mixed it with Sensia slides - no obvious colour shift between the two films. Scans well on my Dimage Dual scanner.

Customer Service

Slow UK processing turn round. This now extends to winter and early spring - used to be confined to summer.

Similar Products Used:

Sensia 100
Sensia 200.
Velvia
Elitechrome 100.

None

Very, very grainy. Appears to have less density and dynamic range than slower Kodachromes.

To my eye this film does not have the "Kodachrome look" at all. It is also EXTREMELY grainy and the dark and saturated areas don't have nearly the density I expected from Kodachrome.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Kodachrome, Ektachrome, all speeds

Nice, warm color balance

Pretty grainy for a 200 speed film, but that can be an asset in certain situations.

Kodachrome 200 has a unique look that is really cool in certain conditions. I used it in the California desert and the red cast made everything look really cool. I've heard abot K200's dreaded "red cast," but it doesn't seem to be much of a problem for me. I have used K200 indoors with flash and have had good results, with no red cast.

Customer Service

Kodak's Kodachrome processing lapsed about 10 years ago, but has been consistant lately. A&I Color in Los Angeles will also process this film with excellent results.

Similar Products Used:

All other Kodachromes, many Ektachromes, Fujichrome Sensia and Velvia, Agfachrome (a favorite!)

PKL is my favorite fast film. The color can be a little warm, but very beautiful. The Pro version of K200 also seems much more saturated than the amatuer version.

This film will go bad FAST if left out from the fridge more than a couple of weeks. Keep it refrigarated!!

PKL is the best and sharpest fast slide film on the market.

Similar Products Used:

Kodachrome 200
E200
Provia 400