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Time to read 6 min
With Kodak releasing their beloved Kodak Gold 200 in 120 format, CineStill successfully shipping 400D, Leica re-released the famous M6, and Nikon is now launching a film-lookalike of one of their digital mirrorless cameras.
While exciting, we must recognize how expensive film can be, and spending hard-earned dollars on film is a delicate choice. As such, we've put together this guide to walk you through most of the film stocks we carry to help you decide what film will serve you best.
I've enlisted the help of my fellow film shooter friends to help give you a broader perspective on the myriad of film stocks. They're all wonderfully talented photographers — please check out their work, linked in each section, and give them a follow.
This is my go-to film stock. It's the film stock I've shot the most so far as a film photographer, and I love how it renders color and saturation. For budget, it's slightly more affordable than Portra 800 and is the perfect choice for portraits, landscapes, and general use.
Pros: Pretty much perfect for all lighting and subjects.
Cons: Pricey, but worth it. Might feel a little too safe for some.
Everyone for beginners to pros looking for a consistent, dreamy look.
I don’t shoot CineStill that frequently, but when it works, it really works. Since it is technically Vision 500T (commonly used film for motion picture films) with the remjet layer removed, it has a visceral cinematic look unparalleled to any other film stock. Stereotypically, photographers use this stock on urban landscapes at night for the red halation’s, but I love experimenting with it in broad daylight, for portraiture, and during blue hour.
Pros: Stunning night visuals, unique cinematic aesthetic, looks absolutely stunning if you’re pushing film.
Cons: Halation may be too strong for some tastes, can be a little too grainy with not the most natural skin tone. Its super stylized look would be a make or break for particular subjects.
Moody portrait shooters, night owl street photographers, and anyone chasing those Blade Runner vibes.
I appreciate Portra 160 because it offers the most refined, neutral tone. With its leaf shutter, I consistently achieve the most use out of the 160-speed in my GA 645. I've had a lot more range in editing the scans because the base colors 160 stay true to life.
Pros: Sharp and clean with soft color.
Cons: Needs a lot of light, it's a stock that's easy to underexpose (and looks muddy when so).
Landscape peeps, nature lovers, slow and intentional shooters.
I was pleasantly surprised after testing Kodak's famous Gold 200 in 120; I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. I consider it an in-between option for Ektar 100 and Portra 400 — more saturated than Portra, a little less than Ektar, and offers plenty of sharpness, fine grain, and fantastic color. I'm not particularly fond of skin tones from this stock, but it thrives for landscape imagery when there's sufficient light.
Pros: Budget-friendly Classic Kodak warmth. Beautiful in sunlight.
Cons: Not great in shade or indoors and can get muddy if underexposed
Folks who dig super sunny, bright, and daytime shoots or trails.
My go-to film stock for almost every scenario. It's perfect for shooting when the light gets low, and I generally value this film's stellar saturation, textured grain, and subtle contrast. It's the first film I reach for regardless of the situation because I know it'll deliver the exact results I envision before I pick up my camera.
Pros: Reliable in low light, beautiful skin tones, low grain for ISO 800.
Cons: Higher price point (boo).
Lower light or subject matter that could use a touch of softness or dreaminess.
I will champion Ektar all day long. While not only film stock I have reached for, it works beautifully when I do. The roll's extreme colorways are beautiful for landscapes and street photography, and the 100-speed gives you a healthy level of fine grain and detail in every image. Pro tip — rate it for 25 or 50, and the colors will gradually soften to grant you a cleaner palette.
Pros: Bold, fun, and renders blues exquisitely.
Cons: Unnatural skin tones when under grey skies.
Those who loves bold colors and aren't afraid to play around with vibrants blues or greens. This is a fun one, a lot of people give it crap for reddish skin tones, but it's my favorite.
My favorite film stock for almost everything. I love shooting this stock at 800-1600 ISO, but it can handle 3200 without a problem. It gives a more contrasty look than most, which I love.
Pros: Perfect tones for any subject matter.
Cons: Washes out skin tones in environments with lots of light.
I love BWxx because of its effortless cinematic vibe. As essentially repackaged Kodak Eastman Double-X 5222, you can recreate the countenance seen in movies such as Raging Bull, Schindler's List, and Kill Bill Vol. 1. It sports stunning tonality with pleasing contrast and grain structure.
Pros: Beautiful grain, strong contrast, unique look.
Cons: Can blow highlights.
Steven Schultz
Chicago-based artist Steven Schultz uses film photography, filmmaking, and design to explore human stories.
