Kodak Portra 160 vs Lomography Redscale: Which 35mm?
By WALKENS House of Film | Published: 2026-10-28
Category: Comparisons
Compare Kodak Portra 160 and Lomography Redscale XR for your next 35mm shoot. Learn which film suits natural skin tones and which delivers creative, warm color shifts.
Quick answer
Choose Kodak Portra 160 for natural skin tones and fine grain in controlled or outdoor light; choose Lomography Redscale XR when you want bold, warm color shifts and creative freedom.
What kind of look do you want?
Portra 160 is designed for accurate, smooth skin tones and a fine grain structure, making it a reliable choice for portraits and everyday outdoor scenes. Redscale XR, on the other hand, intentionally shifts colors to warm reds, oranges, and yellows, with occasional cool blue tones, giving your images an unmistakable creative stamp.
Your choice really comes down to whether you need predictable, natural color or are happy to embrace unpredictable, artistic results.
Lighting and exposure flexibility
Portra 160 is a 160 ISO film, best suited to bright conditions or controlled studio lighting. Redscale XR has an extended exposure range of 50-200 ISO, giving you more flexibility to shoot in varying light without changing rolls.
If you often shoot outdoors in daylight, Portra 160 will deliver consistent results. If you like to switch between bright and shady spots, Redscale XR's wider range is more forgiving.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Color accuracy vs. color shifts: Portra 160 reproduces natural, smooth skin tones; Redscale XR intentionally shifts colors to warm reds and oranges. Choose Portra for accurate color, Redscale for creative effect.
- Grain and sharpness: Portra 160 has a finer grain structure, ideal for scanning and enlarging. Redscale XR's grain is not specified, so expect more visible grain and a softer look. If you plan to print large, Portra 160 is the safer bet.
- Exposure flexibility: Portra 160 is a fixed 160 ISO, best in bright light. Redscale XR offers 50-200 ISO, giving you more room to shoot in variable lighting without switching rolls. For mixed lighting conditions, Redscale XR is more forgiving.
Product facts
- Kodak Portra 160 35mm - 5 Roll Pro-Pack: Kodak Portra 160 is the 160 ISO version of Kodak's Portra color film range, with a significantly finer grain structure for improved scanning and enlargement. You get sharp, smooth images that hold up well when you scan or print large, making it a strong choice for portrait and commercial work.
Kodak Portra 160 35mm - 5 Roll Pro-Pack - Lomography Redscale XR 50-200 35mm: Lomography Redscale XR 50-200 is a 35mm redscale film with an extended exposure range, washing images with warm shades of red, orange, and yellow—and even cool blue. If you want a film that adds a bold, artistic color cast without filters, this gives you that look straight out of the camera.
Lomography Redscale XR 50-200 35mm
Which film fits you?
Best for
- Portrait photographers who need natural, smooth skin tones and fine grain for enlargements
- Shooters who want a dependable, everyday color negative film for outdoor daylight
Not for
- Anyone seeking accurate, natural color reproduction—Redscale XR's warm shifts are the opposite
- Low-light or indoor shooting without a flash—Portra 160's fixed ISO may struggle in dim conditions
