Kodak's fastest tungsten-balanced color negative motion picture film stock (5219/7219) with 500 ISO sensitivity – the go-to choice for low-light cinematography, night exteriors, and practical lighting situations, offering remarkable latitude and pushability while maintaining acceptable grain structure.
What is Kodak Vision3 500T?
Kodak Vision3 500T (5219/7219) is Kodak's fastest color negative film, rated at ISO 500 and balanced for tungsten light. As a top choice for low-light cinematography, it enables night shoots with minimal lighting setups and offers exceptional pushability.
Technical Specifications
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Color Negative |
| Product Code | 5219 (35mm), 7219 (16mm) |
| Sensitivity | 500 ISO |
| Balance | 3200K Tungsten |
Position in the Vision3 Family
| Stock | ISO | Balance |
|---|---|---|
| 50D | 50 | Daylight |
| 250D | 250 | Daylight |
| 200T | 200 | Tungsten |
| 500T | 500 | Tungsten |
Sensitivity
| Condition | ISO |
|---|---|
| Tungsten 3200K | 500 |
| Daylight | 320 (with 85 filter) |
| Push +1 | 1000 |
| Push +2 | 2000 |
Characteristics
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Grain | Medium (visible) |
| Colors | Rich, saturated |
| Dynamic Range | ~14+ Stops |
| Sharpness | Good |
Grain Structure
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Quality | Organic, cinematic |
| When Pushed | Increased grain |
| Acceptance | Part of the look |
Ideal Use Cases
| Situation | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Night Exterior | Primary use |
| Low Light Interior | Perfect |
| Practical Lighting | Ideal |
| Available Light | Possible |
Low-Light Capability
| Light Situation | Feasibility |
|---|---|
| Streetlights | Yes |
| Candlelight | With overexposure |
| Neon | Excellent |
| Moonlight | Push required |
Push Processing
| Push | Result |
|---|---|
| Normal | Finest quality |
| +1 Stop | More grain, acceptable |
| +2 Stops | Significantly more grain |
| +3 Stops | Extreme, creative |
Processing
| Aspect | Standard |
|---|---|
| Process | ECN-2 |
| Labs | All film labs |
| Push | Inform lab |
| Pull | Possible |
Exposure
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Normal | Native 500 ISO |
| Overexpose | +1/2 to +1 stop safe |
| Underexpose | For grain look |
| Latitude | Generous |
Comparison 500T vs. 200T
| Aspect | 500T | 200T |
|---|---|---|
| ISO | 500 | 200 |
| Grain | More visible | Finer |
| Lowlight | Better | More light needed |
| Pushed | Up to 2000+ | Up to 800 |
Available Formats
| Format | Product Code |
|---|---|
| 35mm | 5219 – 400ft, 1000ft |
| 16mm | 7219 – 100ft, 400ft |
| Super 16 | 7219 |
| 65mm | On request |
Notable Productions
| Film | Year | DoP |
|---|---|---|
| The Dark Knight | 2008 | Wally Pfister |
| Interstellar | 2014 | Hoyte van Hoytema |
| Joker | 2019 | Lawrence Sher |
| Top Gun: Maverick | 2022 | Claudio Miranda |
Combining with Other Stocks
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Day/Night | 250D + 500T |
| Night Only | 500T throughout |
| Mixed Interior | 200T + 500T |
| Matching | Same Vision3 family |
Filtering for Daylight
| Filter | Description |
|---|---|
| 85 | Tungsten → Daylight |
| Effective ISO | ~320 |
| ND Combined | Often necessary |
| Alternative | Grade in post |
Storage
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Unexposed | -18°C optimal |
| Short-term | Cool, dry |
| Acclimatization | 2-3 hours |
| Exposed | Develop quickly |
Scanning
| Resolution | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 4K | Standard |
| 6.5K | Premium |
| Grain Management | Possible in post |
| HDR | Well suited |
Pros and Cons
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|
| Highest sensitivity | More grain |
| Pushable | Even more grain when pushed |
| Wide latitude | More expensive than digital |
| Low-light capability | Lab processing required |
Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Overexpose when possible | Cleaner shadows |
| Push only when necessary | Control grain |
| Inform lab | About push level |
| Accept the grain | Part of the film look |
Today
Kodak Vision3 500T remains indispensable for filmmakers shooting in low-light situations. Its combination of high sensitivity, remarkable latitude, and characteristic film grain makes 500T the go-to choice for night scenes – from atmospheric neo-noirs to major productions like "Top Gun: Maverick."