Kodak's medium-speed daylight-balanced color negative motion picture film stock (5207/7207) with 250 ISO sensitivity – the workhorse of modern film production, offering excellent color fidelity, fine grain, and outstanding latitude for exterior cinematography in variable lighting conditions.
What is Kodak Vision3 250D?
Kodak Vision3 250D (5207/7207) is a daylight-balanced color negative film with an ISO sensitivity of 250. As the most versatile member of the Vision3 family, it is the workhorse for exterior cinematography and one of the most widely used film stocks globally.
Technical Data
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Color Negative |
| Product Code | 5207 (35mm), 7207 (16mm) |
| Sensitivity | 250 ISO |
| Balance | 5500K Daylight |
Position in the Vision3 Family
| Stock | ISO | Balance |
|---|---|---|
| 50D | 50 | Daylight |
| 250D | 250 | Daylight |
| 200T | 200 | Tungsten |
| 500T | 500 | Tungsten |
Sensitivity
| Condition | ISO |
|---|---|
| Daylight 5500K | 250 |
| Tungsten | 64 (with 80A filter) |
| Push +1 | 500 |
| Push +2 | 1000 |
Characteristics
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Grain | Fine |
| Colors | Natural, vibrant |
| Latitude | ~14+ stops |
| Sharpness | Very high |
Color Rendition
| Range | Description |
|---|---|
| Sky | Brilliant blue |
| Greens | Natural |
| Skin Tones | Warm, flattering |
| Shadows | Detail-rich |
Ideal Use Cases
| Situation | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Exterior Day | Primary use |
| Overcast | Perfect |
| Golden Hour | Excellent |
| Interior | With HMI/LED Daylight |
Comparison 250D vs. 50D
| Aspect | 250D | 50D |
|---|---|---|
| ISO | 250 | 50 |
| Grain | Fine | Very fine |
| Flexibility | Higher | Requires more light |
| ND Requirement | Less | More in sun |
Processing
| Aspect | Standard |
|---|---|
| Process | ECN-2 |
| Labs | All film labs |
| Temperature | Standard |
| Push/Pull | Possible |
Exposure
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Sunny | Use ND filter |
| Overcast | Native 250 |
| Shade | +1/2 stop |
| Overexpose | Generally recommended |
Dynamic Range
| Range | Description |
|---|---|
| Highlights | ~7+ stops above middle gray |
| Shadows | ~7+ stops below middle gray |
| Total | ~14-16 stops |
| Behavior | Smooth roll-off |
Available Formats
| Format | Product Code |
|---|---|
| 35mm | 5207 – 400ft, 1000ft |
| 16mm | 7207 – 100ft, 400ft |
| Super 16 | 7207 |
| 65mm | 5207-65 |
Notable Productions
| Film | Year | DP |
|---|---|---|
| Dunkirk | 2017 | Hoyte van Hoytema |
| Little Women | 2019 | Yorick Le Saux |
| Nope | 2022 | Hoyte van Hoytema |
| Many others | - | - |
Combination with Other Stocks
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Day/Night | 250D + 500T |
| Variable Day | 250D + 50D |
| Matching | Same Vision3 family |
| Grade | Consistent possible |
ND Filter Usage
| Situation | Filter |
|---|---|
| Bright Sunshine | ND 0.6 - 0.9 |
| Midday | ND 0.3 - 0.6 |
| Overcast | Mostly not needed |
| f/2 in Sun | ND 1.2+ |
Storage
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Unexposed | -18°C optimal |
| Short-term | Cool, dry |
| Acclimatization | 2-3 hours |
| Exposed | Develop quickly |
Scanning
| Resolution | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 4K | Standard High-End |
| 6.5K | Premium 35mm |
| 2K | Budget |
| HDR | Optimally suited |
Pros and Cons
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|
| Versatile | More expensive than digital |
| Wide latitude | Requires lab |
| Fine grain | Handling effort |
| Natural colors | ND needed in sun |
Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Overexpose | Secure shadow detail |
| Keep ND ready | Flexibility in light |
| Lab relationship | Consistent processing |
| Utilize latitude | Film is forgiving |
Today
Kodak Vision3 250D is the most versatile and widely used color negative film for cinema production. The combination of moderate sensitivity, fine grain, and exceptional latitude makes it the standard for exterior work – from independent productions to Hollywood blockbusters.