For my taste, if I was to choose only one colour negative film stock it would be Portra (probably 400 but 800 is really handy), and despite having tried most stocks available, for a long time that was very much my go to. But a few years ago now (almost certainly more than I remember, for time flies by) film got REALLY EXPENSIVE! Silly money. You know this.
And so, with my wallet taking an absolute beating, and thoughts that perhaps my hipster itch would be more cheaply scratched by the acquisition of an up-cycled fixed-gear bicycle and some unscented beard cream, stocks like this (Kodak Gold) and Ultramax etc, which were always seen as non-professional grade stocks and probably looked down on a bit (I include myself in this shamefully myopic snobbery), like that classmate at school you never noticed but one day, when you get back from the summer holiday, all of a sudden strikes you as gorgeous, unsurprisingly began to seem like pretty tasty options.
Initially drawn to Kodak Gold on account of it becoming one of the only loosely financially-viable options for anyone stupid enough to shoot exclusively film for anything other than professionally funded purposes, I began to appreciate it's aesthetics for what it is. And my snobbery has faded fast.
Warm, nostalgic, present though in no way overpowering grain, fairly saturated/punchy colours, a bit contrasty filmy Kodak goodness.
I feel like Kodak film is to Canon digital sensors what Fuji film is to Sony digital sensors. Kodak (and Canon) tends to be richer and more vibrant, leaning more towards saturation and warm tones, whereas Fuji (and Sony) to me feel less saturated and pull towards cool, more sagey greens and magentas. But what do I know?!
Ultimately this is a great film stock which (by modern standards anyway) isn't too expensive.
I see no reason why you would exclude using it for any purpose, professional or otherwise, as it delivers on all fronts what I think most people are looking for when they reach for a roll of film over their digital rig. You could probably argue it lacks some of the delicateness, sophistication and/or beauty of Portra, whatever that means, but what do words even mean really? Have another double espresso or something. Jeez.
If you've read this far you've clearly got even more time on your hands than I do so I suggest you grab a roll and go try it out for yourself. But finish your coffee first, obviously.
