Top 10 best 35mm and 120 film for Analogue Photographers in 2024: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Film for Every Style
Film photography is thriving again, drawing in both nostalgic photographers and newcomers enchanted by its unique look and tactile process. Yet, choosing the right film stock can feel overwhelming, especially when each one promises a different aesthetic and experience. This guide cuts through the clutter with a curated list of the top 10 film stocks, spotlighting options that are beloved in the analogue community right now. From Kodak’s vibrant colour films to Ilford’s classic black-and-whites, we break down each film’s unique appeal, key features, and best use cases to help you make the right choice for every project. Whether you shoot 35mm or 120, in colour or monochrome, this guide will help you choose the perfect film to bring your vision to life.
1. Kodak Portra 400
For photographers seeking consistent colour reproduction and excellent exposure latitude, Kodak Portra 400 is a go-to choice. This film is ideal for portraiture, weddings, and travel photography, providing a natural colour palette that works well in varying light conditions.
Key Features:
ISO 400, great for low-light and high-speed settings
Exceptional colour accuracy, with particularly flattering skin tones
Wide exposure latitude, perfect for pushing and pulling
Available in 35mm and 120 formats
Imagine you are: A wedding photographer capturing outdoor portraits at dusk. With Portra 400’s ability to handle low-light scenes gracefully, it captures both the bride’s complexion and the gentle evening sky without losing detail. The film’s wide exposure range also provides flexibility in dynamic lighting, allowing you to focus on the moment without worrying about precise exposure.
2. Ilford HP5 Plus 400
For those who love classic black-and-white film, Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is a versatile choice. It’s especially popular among street and documentary photographers for its sharp contrasts and textured grain, adding a vintage quality to images.
Key Features:
ISO 400 for flexible lighting
Medium-to-high contrast with fine grain
Good for push processing up to ISO 1600
Available in 35mm and 120 formats
Imagine you are: A street photographer wandering the lively streets of London at dusk. The deep contrasts and rich textures of HP5 allow you to capture dramatic, gritty shadows as streetlights flicker on. By pushing the film to ISO 1600, you enhance these contrasts, capturing an urban atmosphere that feels timeless and authentic.
Kodak Ektachrome E100
For photographers craving the vivid colours and fine grain of slide film, Kodak Ektachrome E100 is unmatched. Known for its bright hues and sharpness, this E6 film is best suited for landscape and travel photography.
- Key Features:
- ISO 100 for optimal detail and sharpness
- Vivid, true-to-life colour reproduction
- High colour saturation and contrast
- Available in 35mm and 120 formats
- Imagine you are: A landscape photographer standing by a misty lake at dawn. As the first rays of sunlight illuminate the scene, you capture the intense blues and greens of the landscape with Ektachrome E100. The film’s high contrast and vivid colours accentuate the reflection of the mountains on the water, creating a painterly, almost surreal look that only slide film can deliver.
4. Fujifilm Pro 400H
Known for its soft, pastel colour palette, Fujifilm Pro 400H is a favourite among wedding and portrait photographers looking for a gentle, airy look. Its low contrast and subtle tones make it perfect for skin tones.
Key Features:
ISO 400, providing flexibility in low light
Soft, pastel colour palette with low contrast
Excellent skin tone reproduction
Available in 35mm and 120 formats
Imagine you are: A portrait photographer on an engagement shoot in a flower garden. Using Pro 400H, you capture the couple among blooms, with the film’s delicate pastels and low contrast giving the scene an ethereal quality. The gentle hues soften the overall look, creating an image that feels romantic and timeless.
5. Cinestill 800T
Cinestill 800T is a unique film that caters to night photographers and those who love cinematic tones. With a tungsten balance, it captures artificial lighting beautifully, making it perfect for nightlife, urban landscapes, and creative portraits.
Key Features:
ISO 800, well-suited for low-light environments
Tungsten balanced for accurate indoor lighting
Halation effect adds a soft, cinematic glow
Available in 35mm and 120 formats
Imagine you are: Roaming the neon-lit streets of Tokyo at night. You use Cinestill 800T to capture the vibrant glow of signs, shop lights, and passing cars. The film’s unique halation effect wraps light sources in a soft glow, adding a dreamy, cinematic quality that makes the entire scene look like a frame from a film.
6. Kodak Tri-X 400
A classic in black-and-white photography, Kodak Tri-X 400 is known for its fine grain and excellent contrast. It’s especially suited for documentary and street photography due to its rugged, versatile look.
Key Features:
ISO 400, great for varying light conditions
Medium contrast with textured grain
Responds well to push processing
Available in 35mm and 120 formats
Imagine you are: Documenting a music festival, capturing high-contrast portraits of performers and fans alike. With Tri-X, each shot is imbued with a raw, gritty texture that gives the images a sense of timelessness, making each photograph feel like a powerful, enduring record of the event.
7. Lomography Colour Neg 800
For low-light environments or vibrant outdoor settings, Lomography’s Colour Negative 800 provides bright colours and subtle grain. It’s a versatile option for beginners and seasoned photographers alike who want fun, experimental tones.
Key Features:
ISO 800, suitable for low-light settings
Vibrant colours with subtle grain
Flexible in both day and night shots
Available in 35mm and 120 formats
Imagine you are: At a bustling summer carnival at night, capturing the colourful lights and motion. With Lomography Colour 800, the film’s bright, vibrant colours bring out the energy of the event, preserving the lively atmosphere of spinning rides, neon lights, and happy faces against the twilight sky.
8. Fujifilm Velvia 50
For landscape photographers who want the most vibrant colours, Fujifilm Velvia 50 is the standard choice. Its ultra-saturated colour makes it ideal for capturing vivid natural scenes and enhancing rich hues.
Key Features:
ISO 50, ideal for daylight shooting
High saturation, especially for blues and greens
Fine grain and sharp detail
Available in 35mm and 120 formats
Imagine you are: On a forest hike, pausing to photograph a waterfall against a backdrop of deep green trees. Velvia 50 enhances the blues in the water and the lush greens of the forest, creating an image that’s both vivid and sharp, like a natural scene brought to life in full technicolour.
9. Ilford Delta 3200
For extreme low-light and high-speed shooting, Ilford Delta 3200 is a top choice. This black-and-white film is perfect for night photography and low-light portraiture, providing soft, atmospheric grain.
Key Features:
ISO 3200, excellent for very low-light settings
High contrast with soft grain
Good shadow detail
Available in 35mm and 120 formats
Imagine you are: In a jazz club, capturing musicians in a dimly lit, atmospheric space. With Delta 3200, the high sensitivity allows you to capture deep contrasts, dramatic shadows, and moody grain, giving the photos an intimate, timeless feel that fits the setting’s smoky allure.
10. Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 offers a warm, nostalgic colour palette and is a budget-friendly option for everyday photography. It’s an accessible choice for hobbyists and those who love vintage-inspired colours.
Key Features:
ISO 200, ideal for daylight or well-lit scenes
Warm tones with soft colour saturation
Great value for beginners
Available in 35mm format
Imagine you are: Capturing a family picnic on a sunny afternoon. With Kodak Gold 200, the film’s warm tones and subtle saturation bring out the reds, greens, and yellows in the scene, giving the images a cosy, nostalgic touch that makes each photo feel like a cherished memory.
These film options cater to a wide range of photography styles, lighting conditions, and creative needs. Each has a distinct look, allowing photographers to experiment and find the perfect film for their unique vision. Whichever look you go for, River & Coast is here to help with the Development, Scanning and Printing of your work.
