A test image of Kodak Gold 200 taken with the Hasselblad 500cm. Anna took this shot. I’m loving the colors of this film. I noticed there’s a straight line on the photograph. Possibly an issue with scanning. Not really sure. The grain of this film looks great on 120 film.
The History of Kodak Gold 200 Medium Format Film
Kodak Gold 200 has long held a place in the hearts of amateur and professional photographers alike. Known for its warm tones, fine grain, and affordability, this film has been a staple in 35mm photography since the 1980s. However, its introduction in 120 medium format is a more recent development — and one that sparked excitement in the film community. It’s usually half the price of Kodak Portra!
Origins: Kodak Gold in 35mm
Kodak Gold was originally introduced in the early 1980s as a consumer-friendly color negative film. It was marketed as an affordable, all-purpose film ideal for family snapshots, vacation photos, and casual photography. With its ISO 200 rating, Kodak Gold struck a balance between sensitivity and detail — fine grain, decent exposure latitude, and vibrant (if slightly warm) color reproduction.
Kodak Gold 200 replaced earlier versions like Kodacolor II and Kodacolor VR films and became one of the most widely available color films in the world through the 1990s and 2000s. It was sold in supermarkets, convenience stores, and camera shops — practically anywhere film could be found.
The Medium Format Surprise
For decades, Kodak Gold 200 was only available in 35mm format, largely relegated to the consumer segment. Professional photographers and medium format shooters favored emulsions like Kodak Portra or Ektar, both of which were engineered with higher sharpness, refined grain structures, and professional scanning or printing in mind.
But in March 2022, Kodak Alaris (the licensee managing Kodak’s still film business) announced something unexpected: Kodak Gold 200 was being released in 120 format.
This marked a major moment in modern film photography. For the first time, a budget-oriented color negative film was made widely available in the medium format space — something that had been missing for years. It joined a small list of consumer-priced 120 color films, making medium format photography more accessible to hobbyists.
Why It Mattered
Prior to this release, medium format color film options were relatively expensive. Portra 160 and 400, Fuji Pro 400H (before it was discontinued), and Ektar 100 dominated the shelves — all priced as premium emulsions. Kodak Gold 200’s introduction offered a more affordable entry point for new film photographers trying out cameras like the Mamiya RB67, Pentax 67, or classic TLRs like the Yashica Mat.
The film retained the familiar Kodak Gold characteristics:
- Warm, nostalgic color palette
- Moderate contrast
- Decent exposure latitude
- Box speed ISO 200
- Traditional grain that becomes beautifully apparent in medium format enlargements
But in 120 format, these traits took on new life. The film’s limitations (such as less highlight retention and a more pronounced grain compared to Portra) were softened by the sheer surface area and resolution of medium format negatives.
Reception in the Photography Community
The launch was widely celebrated. Film photographers praised Kodak for reinvesting in analog products and helping sustain the medium with lower-cost options. YouTubers, bloggers, and analog photography forums buzzed with side-by-side comparisons and sample scans.
The 120 version of Kodak Gold 200 quickly became a popular choice for:
- Travel and street photography
- Portraits with a vintage aesthetic
- Budget-conscious studio work
- Beginners experimenting with medium format
While it’s not a replacement for Portra in professional settings, Kodak Gold 200 has established its own niche in the analog revival — marrying the charm of consumer film with the luxurious real estate of medium format negatives.
Looking Forward
As of 2025, Kodak Gold 200 in 120 format remains a top-selling film and a symbol of Kodak’s commitment to film photography’s resurgence. It fills a crucial gap in the market and continues to introduce a new generation of photographers to the joy of medium format — not through expensive emulsions, but through a roll of warm, golden nostalgia.