The resurgence of film photography in recent years has sparked an increased interest in the vast array of 35mm film stocks available on the market. Each film stock possesses unique characteristics, such as color rendition, grain structure, and tonal range, providing photographers with countless creative possibilities. For both experienced film photographers and newcomers alike, exploring different film stocks can be an enriching and inspiring experience that expands artistic horizons and encourages the development of personal style.

In this blog post, we will delve into 5 iconic 35mm film stocks that every film photographer should try at least once. Whether you're an avid film enthusiast or just starting your journey into the world of analog photography, these film stocks offer a diverse range of opportunities to push your creative boundaries and discover new ways of capturing the world around you. Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich and vibrant universe of 35mm film photography.

Kodak Portra 400

I’m sure everyone has already tried this film, but if you haven’t, now is the time! Kodak Portra 400 is a highly versatile and popular color negative film stock, often hailed as the most widely used film stock for a good reason. Known for its natural color reproduction, fine grain, and exceptional latitude, Portra 400 has earned its place as a favorite among both amateur and professional photographers alike. With its balanced and true-to-life colors, Portra 400 is an excellent choice for portrait photography, capturing skin tones with remarkable accuracy. Its versatility in various lighting conditions, including challenging mixed lighting scenarios, makes it a reliable option for outdoor and indoor shoots alike.

One of the reasons behind Portra 400's popularity is its adaptability to a wide range of photographic styles and genres, including weddings, fashion, and landscapes. The film's fine-grain structure and ability to retain details in both shadows and highlights make it an ideal choice for photographers who seek a high-quality, natural-looking output that can withstand enlargement without losing fidelity.

In addition, the unique qualities of Portra 400 have led to a surge in its demand among film photographers, further solidifying its status as a go-to film stock. Its unparalleled combination of natural color rendition, wide exposure latitude, and excellent sharpness has made it a staple in the film photography community.

©Kelsey Smith Photography

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Ilford HP5 Plus

Ilford HP5 Plus is a beloved black and white film stock that has earned a dedicated following among film photographers for its unique combination of features. With a nominal ISO of 400, HP5 Plus offers excellent versatility in various lighting conditions, from bright sunlight to low light situations. Its distinctive grain structure and wide exposure latitude make it a popular choice for photographers who appreciate the artistic qualities of black and white photography.

One of the reasons for the enduring appeal of Ilford HP5 Plus is its ability to retain details in both shadows and highlights, capturing a broad range of tones and textures. This makes it an ideal choice for photographers looking to create images with a rich tonal palette and a sense of depth. Additionally, HP5 Plus is known for its forgiving nature when it comes to exposure, allowing photographers to push or pull the film in development to achieve their desired look.

Ilford HP5 Plus is particularly well-suited for street photography, photojournalism, and documentary work, as it captures a sense of emotion and authenticity in the images it renders. The film's gritty and atmospheric aesthetic has made it a favorite among those who seek to tell compelling visual stories and evoke strong emotional responses through their work.

©Kelsey Smith Photography

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Lomography Color Negative 800

Lomography Color Negative 800 is a high-speed color negative film stock that has garnered a cult following for its distinctively vibrant and saturated colors. As my absolute favorite film stock of all time, it's the one I reach for most often, and rarely have anything else loaded in my camera. With its ISO of 800, this film stock provides remarkable flexibility in various lighting situations, from bright outdoor scenes to low-light, moody environments.

What sets Lomography 800 apart from other film stocks is its unique ability to produce images with an unmistakable character, featuring punchy colors, strong contrast, and a noticeable grain structure. The film's vivid color palette and distinctive look can add a layer of depth and emotion to your photographs, making them stand out and exude a sense of energy and vitality.

Lomography 800 is perfect for photographers who seek to infuse their work with a bold and lively aesthetic, whether shooting portraits, street scenes, or landscapes. The film's distinctive appearance can help bring your creative vision to life and leave a lasting impression on those who view your images. Its versatility and unique characteristics have made it not only my personal favorite but also a favorite among many film photographers who appreciate its charm and vibrancy.

©Kelsey Smith Photography

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Kodak Tri-X 400

Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black and white film stock that has been cherished by photographers for decades, thanks to its remarkable tonal range, sharpness, and distinctive grain structure. Its ISO of 400 makes it an ideal choice for various lighting conditions, but what sets Tri-X 400 apart is its impressive ability to be pushed during development. Personally, I love pushing Tri-X 400 to 1600, as it adds an extra layer of contrast and grain, resulting in images that have a truly cinematic and timeless quality.

When pushed to 1600, Tri-X 400 exhibits increased contrast and pronounced grain, adding texture and depth to your images. This characteristic is especially appealing for street photography, portraiture, and fine art photography, where the added grain and contrast can enhance the mood and atmosphere of the scene. The film's wide exposure latitude allows for exceptional detail retention in both shadows and highlights, ensuring that your images maintain a rich tonal range even when pushed.

Kodak Tri-X 400 has long been a staple among photographers who appreciate the creative flexibility that comes with pushing film, and its ability to produce stunning results when pushed to 1600 has made it one of my go-to film stocks. The unique aesthetic achieved through pushing Tri-X 400 can elevate your images and help you create photographs that truly stand out.

©Kelsey Smith Photography

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CineStill 800T

CineStill 800T is a unique and eye-catching color-negative film stock that has gained immense popularity among film photographers for its cinematic and ethereal qualities. Originally derived from motion picture film stock, CineStill 800T is designed for tungsten-balanced lighting, rendering images with a distinctively warm and moody appearance. With its ISO of 800, this film stock excels in low light conditions and can create striking images with a truly cinematic feel.

One of the most remarkable features of CineStill 800T is its halation effect, which occurs when light passes through the film and creates a glowing aura around bright light sources. This halation effect adds a dreamy, otherworldly quality to your images, making them stand out and appear almost as if they were taken straight from a movie scene. The halation effect is particularly noticeable in nighttime scenes, where the glowing highlights can create a sense of depth and atmosphere that is difficult to achieve with other film stocks.

CineStill 800T is perfect for photographers who seek to experiment with unconventional and artistic effects in their work, and the film's unique characteristics, such as halation and warm color balance, make it an excellent choice for capturing unforgettable images that evoke a sense of emotion and wonder. From nighttime cityscapes to intimate portraits, CineStill 800T offers endless creative possibilities for those who wish to explore the captivating world of cinematic film photography.

©Kelsey Smith Photography

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Honorable mentions and more stocks I enjoy:

• Cinestill 400D

• Fujicolor 100

• Kodak Colorplus 200

• Kodak Pro Image 100

• Ilford Delta 400 and 3200

• Fomapan 200

• Kodak Ektachrome E100

• Lomochrome Purple, Lomochrome Metropolis, and Dubblefilm Bubblegum (if you’re feeling WILD)

Conclusion

In conclusion, these five 35mm film stocks, Kodak Portra 400, Ilford HP5 Plus, Lomography Color Negative 800, Kodak Tri-X 400, and CineStill 800T, each offer unique characteristics that can help bring your photography to new creative heights. While these film stocks are undeniably exceptional, it's important to remember that there are many other phenomenal films out there, each with its own distinctive qualities that can enhance your images in different ways.

Experimenting with various film stocks is an essential part of the film photography journey, as it allows you to discover which films best align with your creative vision and style. As you explore the world of film photography, don't hesitate to try out new and different film stocks, as you never know which one might become your next favorite. With such a diverse range of film stocks available, there are endless opportunities for you to create unique and captivating images that truly showcase your artistic expression.

So, go ahead and load up your camera with one of these fantastic film stocks or venture out to discover new ones that resonate with your photography style. The world of film photography is vast and exciting, with countless opportunities for you to create unforgettable images and refine your artistic voice. Happy shooting!

If you’ve read this far, picked out a film you like, and are all ready to go out and shoot, but are now thinking, “Yeah, this is great and all, but how do I use this film without a camera, you idiot?” You can read about ten of my personal favorite 35mm cameras here! :)

Everything you need to get started with 35mm film:

Cameras - eBay

Film - Amazon

Cinestill CS41 Developing Kit - Amazon

Epson V600 Flatbed Scanner - Amazon