🎞️ The Ultimate Guide to Color Negative 35 mm Film
Introduction
Film enthusiasts rejoice—in 2025, color negative 35 mm film continues to thrive, with options ranging from classic stocks to creative specialty emulsions. Whether you’re shooting portraits, landscapes, low light, or cinematic scenes, here’s what’s on the shelves now.
1. Kodak
Kodak Portra (Professional)
Speeds: 160, 400, 800 ISO
Emulsion: Very fine grain, low contrast, balanced color—ideal for portraits, weddings, travel
Use: Portraiture, soft natural skin tones
Manufacturer: Kodak Portra page
Buy:
Kodak Ektar 100
ISO: 100
Emulsion: Extremely fine grain, ultra-vivid color, high sharpness—great for landscapes and nature
Use: Landscape, still life, bright daylight scenes
Manufacturer: Kodak Ektar page
Buy: Single roll at B&H
Kodak Gold 200 / ColorPlus 200
ISO: 200
Emulsion: Warm, vivid tones; more grain, budget-friendly
Use: Beginners, everyday shooting, general daylight
Buy:
Kodak UltraMax 400
ISO: 400
Emulsion: Rich saturation, good grain, wide exposure latitude
Use: Versatile for both indoor and outdoor shooting, budget-friendly
Buy: B&H
Kodak Pro Image 100
ISO: 100
Emulsion: Professional-grade sharpness and color saturation
Use: Portraits in daylight, fine-art color
Buy: 5‑pack: B&H
2. Fujifilm
Fujicolor 200 / Fujifilm 200
ISO: 200
Emulsion: Fine grain, daylight-balanced, natural colors
Use: Balanced color scenes in good light
Buy: 3‑pack: B&H
3. CineStill
CineStill 400 D (Daylight)
ISO: 400
Emulsion: Motion picture film reworked for stills; fine grain, soft palette
Use: Outdoor portraits, cinematic vibe
Buy: B&H
CineStill 800 T (Tungsten)
ISO: 800
Emulsion: Tungsten-balanced, Rem-Jet removed, filmic glow
Use: Indoor, nightlife, cinematic tungsten lighting
Buy: B&H
CineStill 50 D (Daylight Xpro)
ISO: 50
Emulsion: Unique halation (Xpro C-41), cinematic bloom
Use: Bright daylight, creative looks
Buy: B&H
4. Lomography
LomoChrome Color ’92 (400 ISO)
ISO: 400
Emulsion: Modern cross-processed look, vivid contrast
Use: Creative experimental photography
Buy: Amazon
LomoChrome Purple (100–400)
ISO: 100–400
Emulsion: Stylized purple shifts, dreamy color palette
Use: Surreal creative projects
Buy: Amazon
LomoChrome Metropolis (100–400)
ISO: 100–400
Emulsion: Muted vintage tones, muted palette
Use: Urban, retro mood photography
Buy: Amazon
5. Harman / Ilford Imaging
Harman Phoenix 200
ISO: 200
Emulsion: New UK-made film, analogue aesthetic en.wikipedia.org+1time.com+1culturedkiwi.comreddit.com
Use: Nostalgic, low-key color
Buy: Glazer’s Camera
6. Specialty & Cine Stocks
Ferrania P30 / Solaris – niche Italian emulsions, subject to limited availability
AgfaPhoto – occasional relaunches; check retailer websites
Svema, ORWO, Shanghai – Eastern European stocks, limited runs
🎯 Quick Comparison Table
| Film Stock | ISO | Look | Budget | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portra 160/400/800 | 160-800 | Fine grain, balanced, soft | $$$ | Portraits, professional use |
| Ektar 100 | 100 | Vivid, sharp, ultra-fine grain | $$ | Landscape, daylight |
| Gold 200 / ColorPlus 200 | 200 | Warm, vivid, more grain | $ | Everyday, beginners |
| UltraMax 400 | 400 | Rich, versatile | $ | General purpose |
| Pro Image 100 | 100 | Saturated, sharp | $$ | Portrait, daylight |
| Fujicolor 200 | 200 | Natural, fine grain | $$ | Daylight, general use |
| CineStill 400D | 400 | Cinematic, soft tones | $$-$$$ | Outdoor cinematic scenes |
| CineStill 800T | 800 | Tungsten, halation glow | $$-$$$ | Indoor, night scenes |
| CineStill 50D | 50 | Bright, halation effects | $$-$$$ | Daylight creative shots |
| LomoChrome Color 92 | 400 | Pop colors, retro style | $$ | Creative expression |
| LomoChrome Purple | 100-400 | Purple-shift, surreal | $$ | Experimental photography |
| LomoChrome Metropolis | 100-400 | Muted, vintage tones | $$ | Urban, retro scenes |
| Harman Phoenix 200 | 200 | Analogue, vintage feel | $$ | Everyday film photography |
Tips for Choosing the Right Film
ISO Matters
Use 100–200 for bright daylight; 400+ for indoor or low-light scenes.
Emulsion Look
Portra for natural skin tones, Ektar for punchy landscapes, CineStill for cinematic looks.
Experimentation
Try Lomography and CineStill to discover creative color shifts and effects.
Budget & Availability
ColorPlus and Gold balance cost and performance; specialty stocks may be limited in supply.
Conclusion
With choices ranging from professional-grade precision to experimental styling, the current market offers something for every film photographer. Stock up on a variety and discover what suits your eyes and vision best! 🎬