Kodak Rebirths an “Ekta-Lot” of Films in Glorious Retro Packaging
Mar 25, 2026
David Prochnow
Our resident “how-to” project editor, David Prochnow, lives on the Gulf Coast of the United States in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He brings his expertise at making our photography projects accessible to everyone, from a lengthy stint acting as the Contributing How-To Editor with Popular Science magazine. While you don’t have to actually build each of his projects, reading about these adventures will contribute to your continued overall appreciation of do-it-yourself photography. A collection of David’s best Popular Science projects can be found in the book, “The Big Book of Hacks,” Edited by Doug Cantor.
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Continuing the Kodak rejuvenation of former Alaris films, a new line of Ektapan and Ektacolor Pro films are returning to Kodak branding. This major film drop comes fresh on the heels of a very strong Kodak Q4/2025 Year in Review financial report.
Things are definitely looking up for team Kodak. First up for these new/old films is Ektapan.
Ektapan is black-and-white film, which immediately signals that you are either a serious artist or someone who enjoys making life harder for aesthetic reasons. The spirit of Ektapan, however, is a classic: crisp tones, dramatic contrast, and the ability to make a parking lot look like a scene from a brooding indie film. It’s essentially the photographic equivalent of: you load it into your camera, take a photo of a tree, and suddenly that tree has feelings. Granted, this is not scientifically proven, but it is strongly implied, visually speaking.
Then there’s Ektacolor Pro, which, despite sounding like a breakfast cereal, is all about rich, vibrant color reproduction. Kodak promises excellent color quality, fine detail, and overall consistency. This is basically the overachiever of the film world.
Kodak Magic
These inks and color systems use extremely tiny pigment particles (less than 50 nanometers) to produce sharper, more vivid images. In practical terms, this means your vacation photos will look so good that your friends will suspect you of conjuring Photoshop wizardry.
Together, Ektapan and Ektacolor Pro represent two sides of the photographic personality. One says, “Let’s contemplate existence in grayscale.” The other says, “Let’s make every color pop like it just had a cup of espresso.” Whether you prefer moody shadows or eye-popping hues, Kodak has thoughtfully provided tools for both your introvert philosopher and your extrovert show-off.
Kodak Ektapan is available for preorder in ISO 100, 400, and 3200 sensitivities in both 35mm and 120 format films. An example of pricing is Ektapan 100 for $11.99.
Kodak Ektacolor Pro is available for preorder in ISO 160, 400, and 800 sensitivities in both 35mm and 120 format films. An example of pricing is Ektacolor Pro 400 for $16.99.
Enjoy.
David Prochnow
Our resident “how-to” project editor, David Prochnow, lives on the Gulf Coast of the United States in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He brings his expertise at making our photography projects accessible to everyone, from a lengthy stint acting as the Contributing How-To Editor with Popular Science magazine. While you don’t have to actually build each of his projects, reading about these adventures will contribute to your continued overall appreciation of do-it-yourself photography. A collection of David’s best Popular Science projects can be found in the book, “The Big Book of Hacks,” Edited by Doug Cantor.
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One response to “Kodak Rebirths an “Ekta-Lot” of Films in Glorious Retro Packaging”
This news honestly makes me feel a mix of nostalgia and excitement, like something classic is coming back to life. There’s something emotional about film photography that digital just can’t replicate, and it reminds me of the care people put into creative processes—kind of like home remodeling, where every detail matters. Ektapan feels deep and moody, while Ektacolor Pro sounds vibrant and full of energy, and I love that contrast. Overall, it feels like a small but meaningful revival for creatives who appreciate timeless aesthetics.