Search Results
Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.

Best Camera Film

Updated
By
An expert product reviewer with over a decade of experience dissecting the latest gadgets and gear across various industries.
Updated
Overall Pick
Kodak Portra 400

Main Features

  • ISO 400 speed
  • Fine grain structure
  • Excellent color reproduction
  • Wide dynamic range

Product Overview

Kodak Portra 400 is a leading choice in the world of camera film, known for its ability to produce stunningly accurate colors and smooth grain. Its ISO 400 speed makes it highly adaptable for various lighting conditions, allowing photographers to achieve excellent results whether shooting in bright sunlight or lower light settings.

The film's fine grain structure and exceptional sharpness make it a favorite among portrait photographers who want the best quality in their images.Portra 400 is also widely appreciated for its impressive dynamic range, which enables it to capture a wide array of tones and details in both highlights and shadows.

This film is particularly suitable for shooting portraits, weddings, and other events where natural skin tones and vivid colors are crucial. Moreover, its latitude allows for easy post-processing, giving photographers the flexibility to adjust exposure and colors during development.

PROS
  • Natural skin tones
  • Vivid color representation
  • Good for varied lighting
  • High dynamic range
CONS
  • Relatively expensive
  • Limited availability

Product Specifications

  • Format 35mm
  • Exposures per roll 36
  • Film type Color negative
  • ISO 400
Best Price / Quality
Fujifilm Fujicolor Pro 400H

Main Features

  • ISO 400 speed
  • Accurate color reproduction
  • Smooth skin tones
  • Wide exposure latitude

Product Overview

Fujifilm Fujicolor Pro 400H is a professional-grade film that offers remarkable color fidelity and superior skin tone reproduction. With an ISO rating of 400, this film performs exceptionally well in a variety of lighting conditions, making it a versatile choice for both indoor and outdoor photography.

The film's fine grain and excellent sharpness ensure that every detail is captured cleanly and crisply.This film is particularly popular among portrait and wedding photographers who need to capture skin tones with utmost accuracy.

Fujicolor Pro 400H's unique fourth color-sensitive layer ensures that colors are vibrant yet natural, providing a pleasing overall aesthetic. Additionally, the film's wide exposure latitude allows for flexibility in different lighting scenarios, making it easier to achieve the desired results without extensive adjustments during post-processing.

PROS
  • Natural and vibrant colors
  • Excellent for portraits
  • Good performance in varied lighting
  • Wide exposure latitude
CONS
  • Higher cost
  • Limited to medium format

Product Specifications

  • Format 120
  • Exposures per roll 12
  • Film type Color negative
  • ISO 400

Main Features

  • ISO 400 speed
  • Fine grain
  • High sharpness
  • Wide exposure latitude

Product Overview

Ilford HP5 Plus is a high-speed black and white film that has become a staple for photographers seeking classic monochrome images. With an ISO rating of 400, this film is well-suited for a wide range of lighting conditions, from bright daylight to low-light environments.

The film's fine grain and high sharpness make it a versatile choice for various photographic styles, including portrait, landscape, and street photography.HP5 Plus is known for its wide exposure latitude, which allows photographers to push or pull the film during development to achieve different effects.

This flexibility makes it a favorite among both beginners and seasoned photographers who appreciate the ability to experiment with exposure settings. The film's tonal range is impressive, offering deep blacks, bright whites, and a rich array of gray tones in between.

PROS
  • High-quality monochrome images
  • Wide exposure latitude
  • Suitable for various lighting
  • Good for different photography styles
CONS
  • Requires specific development process
  • Not suitable for color photography

Product Specifications

  • Format 35mm
  • Exposures per roll 36
  • Film type Black and white
  • ISO 400

Main Features

  • ISO 100 speed
  • Ultra-fine grain
  • Vivid color saturation
  • Wide dynamic range

Product Overview

Kodak Ektar 100 is a professional-grade color negative film that stands out for its ultra-fine grain and exceptional color saturation. With an ISO rating of 100, this film is best suited for well-lit conditions, making it a popular choice for landscape and nature photographers who seek to capture the world in vibrant detail.

The film's fine grain ensures that even the smallest details are rendered sharply, providing a level of clarity that is difficult to match.Ektar 100's color reproduction is one of its most notable features, offering rich and vivid hues that bring scenes to life.

This makes it an excellent choice for capturing the intensity of natural landscapes, vibrant cityscapes, and detailed close-ups. The film also boasts a wide dynamic range, allowing it to handle varying levels of brightness and shadow with ease.

Despite its lower ISO rating, Ektar 100 performs admirably in a range of lighting conditions, provided there is adequate light.

PROS
  • Exceptional detail and clarity
  • Rich, vivid colors
  • Ideal for well-lit conditions
  • Excellent for landscapes
CONS
  • Not suitable for low-light
  • Requires precise exposure settings

Product Specifications

  • Format 35mm
  • Exposures per roll 36
  • Film type Color negative
  • ISO 100

Main Features

  • Instant photo development
  • Vibrant colors
  • Compatible with Instax Mini
  • Compact photo size

Product Overview

Fujifilm Instax Mini Film is the go-to choice for those who love instant photography. This film is designed for use with all Instax Mini cameras and Instax SHARE printers, delivering instant prints with vibrant colors and sharp details.

Each pack contains multiple exposures, allowing you to capture and share your moments instantly.Instax Mini Film is known for its high image quality, producing bright and clear photos that develop in just a few minutes.

The film's compact size makes it ideal for creating photo albums, scrapbooks, or simply sharing with friends and family. The unique credit-card size of the photos is perfect for carrying in your wallet or displaying in small frames.

One of the standout features of Instax Mini Film is its ease of use. Simply load the film into your Instax Mini camera or printer, take your photo, and watch as it develops before your eyes. This film is perfect for parties, events, and everyday moments where you want to capture the fun and excitement instantly.

PROS
  • Instant gratification
  • High image quality
  • Easy to use
  • Perfect for sharing
CONS
  • Limited exposure count
  • Relatively expensive per shot

Product Specifications

  • Format Instant film
  • Exposures per pack 20
  • Film type Color instant
  • Photo size 2.4 x 1.8 inches

Understanding Film Types

1. Black and White Film:Black and white photography is revered for its timeless quality and ability to highlight contrast and texture. This type of film is ideal for those who appreciate the classic look and wish to focus on composition and lighting without the distraction of color. Popular black and white films include Ilford HP5 Plus, known for its fine grain and high contrast, and Kodak Tri-X, celebrated for its wide exposure latitude and rich tonal range.

2. Color Negative Film:Color negative film, also known as C-41 process film, is prevalent due to its ease of development and flexibility in exposure. It produces negatives that can be printed to a variety of sizes and formats. Kodak Portra is a standout in this category, offering excellent skin tones and a balanced color palette, making it a favorite among portrait photographers. Fujifilm Superia is another great option, known for its vibrant colors and fine grain, suitable for a wide range of photographic scenarios.

3. Slide Film:Also known as reversal film or transparency film, slide film produces positive images that can be viewed directly through a projector or loupe. It is prized for its sharpness, vivid colors, and high contrast. However, it has a narrower exposure latitude compared to color negative film, making it more challenging to use. Fujifilm Velvia is a popular slide film, renowned for its intense color saturation and fine grain, perfect for landscape photography. Kodak Ektachrome is another excellent choice, offering bright colors and excellent sharpness.

Considering Film Speed (ISO)

Film speed, indicated by the ISO number, determines the film's sensitivity to light. Lower ISO films (e.g., ISO 50, 100) are less sensitive to light, resulting in finer grain and higher resolution images, suitable for bright conditions and studio work. Higher ISO films (e.g., ISO 400, 800, 1600) are more sensitive to light, allowing for better performance in low-light conditions, but they produce more grain.

For everyday use and a balance between image quality and flexibility in different lighting conditions, ISO 400 films like Kodak Ultramax or Ilford HP5 Plus are excellent choices. For specialized applications, such as studio portraits or landscape photography in abundant light, ISO 100 films like Kodak Ektar or Fujifilm Pro 160NS can provide superior detail and color fidelity.

Evaluating Grain Structure and Sharpness

Grain structure is an important aesthetic consideration, especially in black and white photography. Finer grain films like Ilford Delta 100 or Kodak T-Max 100 offer sharp images with minimal grain, ideal for enlargements and detailed work. Films with more pronounced grain, such as Ilford Delta 3200 or Kodak P3200, can add a gritty, textured look that is sometimes sought after for artistic effect or to convey a certain mood.

Color Characteristics

Different films render colors uniquely, influenced by their chemical compositions. Kodak Portra is known for its natural, pleasing skin tones, making it a top choice for portraiture. Fujifilm Velvia, on the other hand, is celebrated for its highly saturated colors, which can enhance the vibrancy of landscapes and nature shots. If you prefer a more subdued and nostalgic color palette, Kodak Gold or Lomography Color Negative film might be more appealing.

Purpose and Personal Preference

Ultimately, the best camera film for you will depend on your photographic goals and personal taste. Experimenting with various films can help you discover which characteristics you prefer. For instance, if you are drawn to street photography, you might appreciate the high contrast and quick response of a film like Kodak Tri-X. If you are venturing into fashion photography, the accurate color reproduction and fine grain of Kodak Portra 400 could be more suitable.

In summary, finding the best camera film involves understanding the different types of film, considering the appropriate ISO for your shooting conditions, evaluating grain structure and sharpness, and matching the film's color characteristics to your aesthetic preferences. By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a film that enhances your photography and aligns with your creative vision.