Choosing Film Stock
Film Stock Selection: Technical Framework and Visual Reference 🧪
The selection of a specific emulsion is a fundamental technical decision that determines the grain structure, chromatic accuracy, and tonal depth of an analogue portrait. This index provides a systematic classification of frequently utilised film stocks, offering a factual basis for selecting the medium that aligns with your visual requirements.
These specifications and visual samples serve as an objective reference to inform the creative brief of your commissioned session.
Operational Disclaimer: Visual samples are provided as technical references only. Final results are subject to environmental lighting, exposure parameters, and laboratory scanning configurations. All images displayed have undergone foundational Adobe Lightroom balancing to preserve the inherent character of the emulsion. Availability of specific stocks is contingent upon global supply and archival dating.
Understanding Film Emulsions & Processing 🎞️
The following technical overview outlines the primary chemical processes and emulsion characteristics available for your session. Each film stock is selected for its specific grain structure, tonal range, and chromatic response.
C-41 is the global industrial standard for developing colour negative film. It is the most versatile and widely used process in everyday photography, known for its technical reliability and accessibility.
Plan Characteristics:
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Visual Profile: Produces warm, natural skin tones and a soft, organic colour palette.
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Technical Latitude: Features a wide exposure latitude, making it highly forgiving of varied lighting conditions and contrast levels.
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Application: Ideal for environmental portraits where a classic, balanced analogue aesthetic is required.
Black and white film utilises a distinct chemical reduction process compared to colour stocks. This method strips away the distraction of colour, focusing entirely on the interplay of light, shadow, and silver halide grain.
Plan Characteristics:
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Visual Profile: Delivers timeless imagery with striking contrast, deep blacks, and a broad range of mid-tones.
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Materiality: Offers a unique physical texture and emotive quality that cannot be authentically replicated by digital sensors.
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Application: Suited for artistic portraiture emphasizing form, composition, and dramatic lighting.
Originally engineered for the high-demand requirements of Hollywood cinematography, ECN-2 (Eastman Color Negative) is now a preferred choice for photographers seeking a distinctively "filmic" narrative.
Plan Characteristics:
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Visual Profile: Characterised by a rem-jet carbon layer that produces extremely fine grain and a soft, cinematic colour rendition.
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Dynamic Range: Offers an exceptional dynamic range, preserving intricate details in both high-intensity highlights and deep shadows.
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Application: Best utilized for editorial sessions requiring a dreamy, sophisticated, and professional cinematic finish.
E-6 is the chemical process for colour reversal film. Unlike negative film, E-6 produces a translucent positive image that can be viewed directly on a lightbox, representing the pinnacle of analogue colour precision.
Plan Characteristics:
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Visual Profile: Renowned for intense colour saturation, vibrant "true-to-life" hues, and high-impact contrast.
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Technical Rigour: Significantly less forgiving than negative film; it requires absolute precision in exposure to reward the photographer with crisp, punchy details.
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Application: Reserved for high-end commissioned work where a bold, polished, and ultra-vibrant aesthetic is the objective.
Colour Film (C-41 Processing)
C-41 is the established industrial standard for developing colour negative film. This process is engineered for chromatic stability and high exposure latitude, yielding a granular texture and tonal range that remains the benchmark for analogue portraiture. It is a reliable framework for capturing subjects within natural lighting environments.
The following film stocks are compatible with C-41 processing.
CineStill 50D
CineStill 50D is a daylight-balanced film with ultra-fine grain and exceptional sharpness, offering a clean, almost ethereal rendering of light and colour. It produces rich yet natural tones with a warm, slightly cinematic tint—ideal for high-sun, open-shade, or controlled daylight settings. With its low ISO, it excels in bright environments and rewards careful exposure with remarkable detail and smooth gradients.
Please note that this film is a repackaged and remjet-removed version of Kodak Vision 3 50D, allowing it to be processed using C-41 chemistry.
[Medium Format | Pentax 67, 165mm f2.8 | CineStill 50D]
In Frame: Annabelle Goh
Kodak Ektar 100
Kodak Ektar 100 is known for its ultra-fine grain and incredibly rich, saturated colours. This film brings out vibrant reds, making it ideal for bold and dynamic portraiture with a punch. It excels in outdoor settings with good lighting, especially under bright sun or golden hour, rendering skin tones with clarity and depth—though it leans toward cooler hues, which may suit a more stylised or editorial look.
[Medium Format | Pentax 67, 105mm f2.4 | Kodak Ektar 100]
In frame: Lucie Poevaiki Regal
Fujifilm Fujicolor 100
Fujifilm Fujicolor 100 is a daylight-balanced colour negative film known for its fine grain and natural colour reproduction. Ideal for bright outdoor conditions, it offers excellent sharpness and accurate skin tones, making it suitable for portraits and landscapes where colour fidelity and detail are essential.
[35mm | Nikon F3 HP, 35mm f2.8 | Fujifilm Fujicolor 100]
In frame: Harriette St.Ledger
Kodak Aerocolor IV
Kodak Aerocolor IV was originally made for aerial photography. Rated 100 ISO, it is renowned for its exceptional colour accuracy, reddish skin tone and fine grain. It captures stunning landscapes from above with unparalleled clarity and precision.
Click here to read Thomas's review.
[35mm | Nikon F3 HP, 105mm f2.5 | Kodak Aerocolor IV]
In Frame: Charlotte Claire
Lomography 100
Lomography 100 is a fun and nostalgic colour film with a soft, pastel-like palette and gentle contrast. It offers a slightly vintage look, with warm skin tones and a subtle glow that feels airy and timeless. Its lower ISO means it performs best in bright daylight—perfect for sunny parks, gardens, or beach shoots.
[Medium Format | Bronica S2A, 75mm f2.8 | Lomography 100]
In Frame: Andrew Wong
Kodak Portra 160
Kodak Portra 160 offers the finest, with soft contrast and beautifully natural skin tones. It excels in bright lighting and well-lit environments, producing gentle, elegant results with a calm, pastel-like palette. As a lower ISO alternative to Portra 400, it’s ideal when lighting is consistent and precision is preferred. Thomas prefers to shoot this film one stop overexposed to enhance its softness, open up the shadows, and bring out its full tonal richness.
[Medium Format | Bronica S2A, 75mm f2.8 | Kodak Portra 160]
In frame: Charli Polites
Fujifilm 200
Fujifilm 200 is a daylight-balanced film with fine grain and a natural colour palette, offering a pleasing warmth and gentle contrast. It delivers true-to-life tones with a subtle vibrancy, making it well-suited for portraits, landscapes, and everyday moments. With its medium speed, it performs reliably in bright conditions while maintaining forgiving latitude, rewarding casual snapshots and considered compositions alike with balanced, timeless results.
Please note this film is manufactured by Kodak.
[35mm | Konica Genba Kantoku 28 WB Eco | Fujifilm 200]
In Frame: Laura Langley
Fujifilm 400
Fujifilm 400 is a daylight-balanced film with fine grain, vivid colour reproduction, and versatile exposure latitude. It captures rich greens, deep blues, and natural skin tones with a touch of warmth, making it equally suited for portraits, street scenes, and travel photography. With its higher ISO, it handles a wider range of lighting conditions—from bright daylight to overcast skies and indoor settings, offering dependable flexibility while retaining sharpness and pleasing contrast.
Please note this film is manufactured by Kodak.
[35mm | Nikon F3 HP, 28mm f2.8 | Fujifilm 400]
In Frame: Pengfei Jia
Kodak Gold 200
Kodak Gold 200 delivers a distinctly warm tone with sunlit highlights and gentle contrast, evoking a classic, everyday aesthetic. Colours lean golden with a slight vintage cast, making skin tones appear naturally tanned and scenes feel inviting. It performs best in bright daylight, with a grain structure that adds a touch of analogue character without overwhelming detail.
[Medium Format | Pentax 67, 105mm f2.4 | Kodak Gold 200]
In Frame: Charlie Clark
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400, a timeless elegant film beloved for its versatility, fine grain, and beautifully natural colour palette. Ideal for portraiture, it renders skin tones with exceptional warmth and subtlety. Thomas prefers to overexpose by one stop to enhance colour vibrancy, adding a touch more richness while retaining the film’s signature soft, classic look.
[Medium Format | Mamiya RB67 Pro-S, 90mm f3.8 | Kodak Portra 400]
CineStill 400D
CineStill 400D is a daylight-balanced film that brings a cinematic mood to still photography. It offers a unique balance of soft highlights, rich midtones, and a warm overall colour palette. The dynamic range is generous, retaining detail in both shadows and highlights. With its 400 ISO speed, it performs well in varied lighting—from golden hour to overcast days—while maintaining a characteristic filmic softness and subtle halation around bright light sources.
Please note that this film is a repackaged and remjet-removed version of Kodak Vision 3 250D, allowing it to be processed using C-41 chemistry.
In Frame: Alaska Harvey
[Medium Format | Pentax 67, 165mm f2.8 | CineStill 400D]
Lomography 400
Lomography 400 is a versatile colour negative film celebrated for its vibrant tones, fine grain, and exceptional adaptability in various lighting conditions. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned photographers, it delivers sharp details while maintaining the playful, analogue charm Lomography is known for.
[Medium Format | Pentax 67, 165mm f2.8 | Lomography 400]
CineStill 800T
CineStill 800T is a high-speed, tungsten-balanced film designed for low-light and night-time shooting. It’s famous for its signature halation effect—glowing red halos around bright lights—which gives portraits a dreamy, cinematic quality. Colours lean cool with bluish shadows and muted skin tones under natural light, but it thrives under artificial lighting like neon, lamps, or streetlights. Grain is noticeable but adds to its character, especially in atmospheric or experimental portraits.
Please note that this film is a repackaged and remjet-removed version of Kodak Vision 3 500T, allowing it to be processed using C-41 chemistry.
[Medium Format | Pentax 67, 105mm f2.4 | CineStill 800T | Pushed to ISO 1600]
In frame: Lucie Poevaiki Regal
Kodak Portra 800
Kodak Portra 800 is a high-speed colour negative film that maintains the signature Portra look—natural skin tones, gentle contrast, and warm hues—even in low-light conditions. It handles mixed lighting with grace, offering rich saturation and surprisingly fine grain for its speed. This film is ideal for evening shoots, overcast days, or indoor settings, delivering beautifully balanced results without the need for flash, while preserving a soft skintone.
[Medium Format | Pentax 67, 105mm f2.8 | Kodak Portra 800]
In Frame: Charlie Clark
Lomography 800
Lomography Color 800 is a high-speed colour negative film with ISO 800 sensitivity, ideal for low-light conditions and fast action shots. It produces vivid colours and noticeable grain, adding character to images. Perfect for creative photography, it delivers warm tones and a vintage aesthetic.
[Medium Format | Pentax 67, 165mm f2.8 | Lomography 800]
In Frame: Charlotte Claire
Ilford XP2 Super 400
Ilford XP2 Super 400 is a unique black-and-white film designed to be developed using C-41 colour processing, making it highly convenient and accessible. It produces smooth tones with low grain, wide exposure latitude, and soft contrast, giving portraits a clean and refined monochrome look. Highlights and shadows are well retained, and its forgiving nature makes it suitable for varied lighting. The result is a polished black-and-white image with excellent detail and minimal fuss.
[Medium Format | Mamiya RB67 Pro-S, 90mm f3.8 | Ilford XP2 Super 400]
In frame: Lucie Poevaiki Regal
Monochrome Film (BW Processing)
Monochrome photography utilises a silver halide reduction process to isolate the interplay of light, shadow, and texture. By removing the distraction of colour, this medium focuses the viewer on the structural essence and raw presence of the subject. It is a deliberate aesthetic choice for projects requiring high contrast and formal rigour.
The following film stocks are compatible with Black and White processing.
Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 II
Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 II is a professional black and white film renowned for its ultra-fine grain and exceptional sharpness. With ISO 100 sensitivity, it delivers smooth tonal gradation and rich contrast. Ideal for landscape and portrait photography, it excels in long exposures due to outstanding reciprocity characteristics.
[Medium Format | Bronica S2A, 75mm f2.8 | Fujifilm Neopan Acros 100 II]
In frame: Maya Cotton
Ilford Delta 100
Ilford Delta 100 is a medium-speed black and white film renowned for its fine grain and exceptional sharpness. With wide tonal range and rich contrast, it excels in bright conditions. Ideal for detailed landscape and portrait photography, it delivers professional-quality images with outstanding clarity.
[Medium Format | Bronica S2A, 75mm f2.8 | Ilford Delta 100]
In frame: Andrew Lim
Ilford FP4+ 125
Ilford FP4+ 125 gives clean mid-tone clarity with soft contrast and refined grain, creating a crisp yet gentle monochrome effect. It renders grey tones smoothly and highlights subtly, so skin looks natural and textures are well defined. Best suited for daylight or well-lit scenes, FP4+ 125 excels in preserving detail while maintaining an understated elegance, making it perfect for classic portraits, architecture or quiet street photography.
[Medium Format | Mamiya RB67 Pro-S, 90mm f3.8 | Ilford FP4+ 125]
In Frame: Al Lumsden
CineStill BwXX
CineStill BwXX offers a timeless monochrome aesthetic with deep blacks, luminous highlights and a wide tonal range reminiscent of classic cinema. Its fine grain and balanced contrast create images that feel both sharp and atmospheric, lending themselves to expressive portraiture and dramatic street scenes alike. Rated at ISO 250 in daylight and ISO 200 under tungsten light, it remains versatile across shooting conditions, capturing mood with a cinematic depth that echoes its motion picture origins.
Please note that this film is a repackaged version of Kodak Eastman Double X.
[Medium Format | Mamiya RB67 Pro-S, 90mm f3.8 | CineStill BwXX]
In Frame: Annabelle Goh
Ilford Delta 400
Ilford Delta 400 is a black-and-white film engineered for a clean, contemporary look. It features a finer grain structure and smoother tonality than traditional B&W stocks, offering high sharpness and excellent detail. The contrast is well-balanced, with rich blacks and soft highlights, making it a strong choice for controlled, elegant portraiture. It performs reliably across varied lighting conditions and delivers a polished, almost medium-format feel even in 35mm.
[Medium Format | Pentax 67, 165mm f2.8 | Ilford Delta 400]
In Frame: Clemence Balland
Ilford HP5+ 400
Ilford HP5+ 400 is a versatile black-and-white film renowned for its timeless look and forgiving exposure latitude. It delivers punchy contrast, rich shadows, and detailed midtones, with a noticeable but organic grain structure that adds depth and texture. Ideal for dynamic lighting situations, it performs well both outdoors and indoors, making it a staple for expressive, documentary-style portraits with emotional grit and a vintage soul.
[Medium Format | Bronica S2A, 75mm f2.8 | Ilford HP5+ 400]
In Frame: Maëva Gachon, Spencer Duncan Booth-Jeffs
Kodak T-MAX 400
Kodak T-MAX 400 is a high-speed black-and-white film known for its incredibly fine grain and sharp resolution. It offers a cleaner, more contemporary monochrome look compared to traditional B&W stocks, with smooth tonal transitions and excellent detail in both highlights and shadows. Its wide exposure latitude and speed make it suitable for a variety of lighting conditions, while preserving a refined, polished aesthetic ideal for crisp, elegant portraits.
[Medium Format | Pentax 67, 165mm f2.8 | Kodak T-MAX 400]
Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak Tri-X 400 is an iconic black-and-white film with a rich photographic legacy. It features a distinctively strong grain, deep blacks, and bold contrast that lend portraits a raw, emotive quality. With excellent flexibility in different lighting and exposure conditions, it delivers dramatic, expressive results whether shot in soft light or harsh sun. Its unmistakable texture and tonality make it a favourite for moody, character-driven imagery with a documentary edge.
[Medium Format | Bronica S2A, 75mm f2.8 | Kodak Tri-X 400]
In Frame: Saraswati Kulikowski
Ilford Delta 3200
Ilford Delta 3200 is an ultra-speed black and white film, perfect for low light and fast-action photography, from nighttime shots to indoor settings where flash photography isn't an option. This stock excels in challenging lighting conditions. Its unobtrusive grain and rich tonality set it apart.
[35mm | Nikon FM2, 28mm f2.8 | Ilford Delta 3200]
In Frame: Laura Langley
Motion Picture Film (ECN-2 Processing)
Originally engineered for the rigorous demands of the cinematography industry, ECN-2 (Eastman Colour Negative) film is utilised in still photography for its superior dynamic range. Characterised by a rem-jet carbon layer, this process delivers exceptionally fine grain and a sophisticated, filmic colour rendition that preserves detail in both highlights and shadows.
The following film stocks are compatible with ECN-2 processing.
Kodak Vision3 50D
Kodak Vision 3 50D film is renowned for its precise detail and vibrant colours. With fine grain and exceptional clarity, it delivers cinematic-quality images.
[35mm | Nikon F3 HP, 105mm f2.5 | Kodak Vision 3 50D]
In Frame: Laura Langley
Kodak Vision3 250D
Kodak Vision 3 250D film brings the magic of cinema to still photography. Renowned for its fine grain and vibrant colours, it captures moments with cinematic brilliance.
[Medium Format | Mamiya RB67 Pro-S, 90mm f3.8 | Kodak Vision 3 250D]
In Frame: Sydney Scott
Kodak Vision3 500T
Kodak Vision 3 500T is a high-speed, ultra-fine grain colour motion picture film often used for cinematic projects. Its remarkable sensitivity makes it ideal for shooting in challenging lighting conditions and achieving superb image quality. This versatile film stock offers exceptional performance and vivid colours, ensuring the image comes to life.
[Medium Format | Pentax 67, 165mm f2.8 | Kodak Vision 3 500T]
Slide Film (E-6 Processing)
E-6 processing is a technical method for colour reversal films, producing a high-fidelity positive image. Known for its intense saturation and chromatic precision, slide film requires absolute exposure accuracy. It is a premium medium utilised for editorial commissions where maximum impact and vibrant, true-to-life tones are the primary objectives.
The following film stocks are compatible with E-6 processing.
Fujifilm Provia 100F
Fujifilm Provia 100F film brings vivid colour to portraiture. Known for its fine grain and rich hues, it captures subjects with vibrant and lifelike precision.
[35mm | Canon F-1, 50mm f1.8 | Fujifilm Provia 100F]
In Frame: Charlie Clark
Kodak Ektachrome E100
Kodak Ektachrome E100 is a professional-grade colour reversal (slide) film known for its exceptional clarity, fine grain, and true-to-life colour reproduction. It leans slightly cool, with crisp blues and greens, and renders skin tones with a clean, neutral precision. The contrast is moderate, and highlights are well controlled, giving images a polished, almost transparent quality. Best used in well-lit environments or controlled lighting setups to take full advantage of its narrow exposure latitude.
[35mm | Nikon F3 HP, 28mm f2.8 | Kodak Ektachrome E100]
In Frame: Luna Liu
Expired/Discontinued Film
Expired and discontinued film stocks represent materials that are no longer in active production. These stocks possess a distinct technical character valued for specific aesthetic outcomes.
Thomas maintains a private collection of these materials for utilisation in specific creative briefs. Utilising such film involves an inherent degree of technical variance, as the chemical properties of the emulsion shift with age, leading to unpredictable results.
Visual samples provided on this platform are for illustrative purposes only and do not guarantee the availability or identical results of any specific stock.
In accordance with the Terms & Conditions, refunds are not granted for sessions utilising expired or discontinued film stocks due to the scientifically unpredictable nature of the medium.
Fujifilm Superia 100
[Discontinued 2009]
Fujifilm Superia 100, a versatile ISO 100 colour negative film, offered sharp, vibrant colours. It was available in both 135 and 120 formats but was discontinued in 2009.
[Medium Format | Mamiya RB67 Pro-S, 90mm f3.8 | Fujifilm Superia 100, expired 2010, shot at ISO 50]
Fujifilm Pro 160NS
[Discontinued 2022]
Fujifilm Pro 160NS offers extremely fine grain and a soft, neutral colour palette with understated contrast. It renders skin tones with exceptional accuracy and smooth gradation, making it a favourite for natural, refined portrait work. Colours are gentle and muted, leaning slightly cool, with excellent tonal separation in both highlights and shadows. This film shines in controlled lighting or open shade, delivering calm, delicate results with a polished, almost painterly finish.
[Medium Format | Bronica S2A, 75mm f2.8 | Fujifilm Pro 160NS, expiry date unknown]
In frame: Harriette St.Ledger
Fujifilm Pro 400H
[Discontinued 2021]
Fujifilm Pro 400H is celebrated for its delicate colour palette and refined rendering of skin tones. With subtle greens, gentle blues, and a cooler overall balance, it creates a soft, airy aesthetic ideal for natural light portraiture. The film has wide exposure latitude, making it forgiving in high-contrast scenes and well-suited to overexposure for a bright, luminous look. Grain is fine, and the overall mood is calm, balanced, and graceful.
[Medium Format | Bronica S2A, 75mm f2.8 | Fujifilm Pro 400H, expired Apr 2023]
In Frame: Annabelle Goh
Fujifilm Superia X-Tra 400
[Discontinued 2024]
Fujifilm Superia X-Tra 400 is a consumer-grade colour film known for its vibrant greens, cool shadows, and energetic contrast. It offers a slightly saturated, punchy look with noticeable grain, giving portraits a lively and candid feel. With 400 ISO speed, it adapts well to changing light—suitable for casual outdoor shoots, street settings, or spontaneous moments where flexibility is key.
[35mm | Nikon F3 HP, 28mm f2.8 | Fujifilm Superia X-Tra 400, expired Mar 2025]
In Frame: Charlotte Claire
Agfa Vista Plus 400
[Discontinue Year Unknown]
Agfa Vista Plus 400 is a versatile C-41 colour film, ideal for freezing motion or overcast days. Capture daily life with beautiful analogue tonality.
[35mm | Canon F-1, 50mm f1.4 | Agfa Vista 400, expired 2009 | shot at ISO 200]
Fujifilm Reala 500D
[Discontinued 2012]
Fujifilm Reala 500D film is known for its realistic colour rendition and radiant hues. This Fujifilm motion picture film has a fine grain feature and exceptional clarity, it brings scenes to life with vivid authenticity.
[35mm | Nikon FM2, 50mm f1.4 | Fujifilm Reala 500D, expired 2011 | Shot at ISO 200]