Best 35mm films: top picks for UK photographers in 2024
Table of Contents
- A Guide to Popular 35mm Color Films
- Professional Black and White Film Choices
- Affordable Film Options for Beginners
- Slide Films for Professional Photography
- Film Development and Storage Tips
A guide to popular 35mm color films
When it comes to color film photography in 2024, several outstanding options are available in the UK market. Here’s a comprehensive look at the most popular choices for photographers of all skill levels.
Professional-grade color films
Leading the professional color film category is Kodak Portra 400, renowned for its exceptional versatility and natural color reproduction. This film offers remarkable exposure latitude and fine grain structure, making it perfect for portraits, weddings, and outdoor photography. At around £99 for a pack of 5 rolls, it represents a premium but worthwhile investment for serious photographers.
Another professional favorite is Kodak Portra 160, which delivers slightly warmer tones and finer grain than its 400-speed counterpart. This film excels in controlled lighting conditions and is particularly valued for its natural skin tone reproduction. You can find more detailed comparisons of professional films at Wex Photo Video.
Consumer-grade color options
For everyday photography, Kodak Colorplus 200 stands as a reliable and cost-effective choice. This film produces warm, pleasing colors and offers good versatility in various lighting conditions. Its moderate grain structure and forgiving exposure latitude make it particularly suitable for beginners.
Fujifilm C200 presents another excellent consumer option, delivering distinctive bold contrast and slightly cooler tones compared to Kodak alternatives. As noted by Cultured Kiwi, this film performs exceptionally well in landscape and street photography scenarios.
Unique color film characteristics
The recently introduced Harman Phoenix 200 offers photographers a distinctive look with its high contrast and visible grain structure. This film creates images with vibrant colors and a characteristic glow due to halation effects, making it ideal for photographers seeking a unique aesthetic signature in their work.
- Best for portraits and weddings: Kodak Portra 400
- Best for everyday shooting: Kodak Colorplus 200
- Best for landscapes: Fujifilm C200
- Best for unique effects: Harman Phoenix 200
When selecting a color film, consider factors such as lighting conditions, subject matter, and desired aesthetic outcome. Professional-grade films typically offer better color accuracy and finer grain, while consumer-grade options provide excellent value and more forgiving exposure characteristics. For detailed reviews and sample images, you can explore various film stocks at Analogue Wonderland.
Best 35mm films: top picks for UK photographers in 2024
Table of contents
- A guide to popular 35mm color films
- Professional black and white film choices
- Affordable film options for beginners
- Slide films for professional photography
- Film development and storage tips
Professional black and white film choices
Black and white film photography continues to captivate photographers with its timeless appeal and unique ability to capture light, shadow, and texture. Here are the top professional black and white film choices available in the UK market.
Ilford HP5 Plus 400
A versatile medium-speed film renowned for its exceptional sharpness and fine grain structure. With its generous exposure latitude, HP5 Plus 400 performs admirably across various lighting conditions, making it particularly suitable for documentary, street, and action photography. At around £8 per roll, it offers excellent value for professional results. The film’s forgiving nature makes it a favorite among both seasoned photographers and those transitioning to black and white photography.
Ilford Delta 3200 Professional
This ultra-high-speed film excels in challenging low-light conditions. With its distinctive grain structure and remarkable sensitivity, Delta 3200 Pro is the go-to choice for indoor architectural photography, nighttime shoots, and fast-action scenarios. While the grain is more pronounced than slower-speed films, it contributes to a unique aesthetic that many photographers specifically seek. Available at approximately £10.80 per roll, it represents a specialized tool in the professional photographer’s arsenal.
Technical considerations for black and white film
When working with professional black and white film, several technical aspects deserve attention. According to experienced photographers, black and white film often captures subtle tonalities and nuances that are difficult to achieve with digital conversion of color images. The films offer exceptional detail in both highlights and shadows, providing photographers with greater creative control during the development process.
Processing and development options
Professional black and white films offer significant flexibility in processing methods. Unlike color films, they can be developed at home using relatively simple equipment and chemicals, as detailed by development experts. This control over the development process allows photographers to fine-tune their results and achieve their desired artistic vision.
Creative applications
Professional black and white films excel in various photographic disciplines. According to experienced photographers, these films are particularly effective for:
- Street photography and photojournalism
- Fine art and portrait photography
- Architectural documentation
- Low-light and night photography
- Documentary and social commentary work
Best 35mm films: top picks for UK photographers in 2024
Table of contents
- A guide to popular 35mm color films
- Professional black and white film choices
- Affordable film options for beginners
- Slide films for professional photography
- Film development and storage tips
Affordable film options for beginners
For those just starting their journey into film photography, selecting the right film stock that balances quality and affordability is crucial. Here are some of the most budget-friendly yet reliable 35mm films available in the UK market.
Kodak ColorPlus 200
A fantastic entry-level color film, Kodak ColorPlus 200 offers warm, natural colors and good exposure latitude at an affordable price point. This versatile film performs exceptionally well in daylight conditions and is forgiving of exposure errors, making it ideal for beginners. Typically priced around £7-8 per roll, it represents excellent value for money.
Fujifilm C200
Fujifilm C200 stands out as another budget-friendly option that delivers reliable results. Known for its slightly cooler color palette compared to Kodak films, it excels in capturing landscapes and outdoor scenes. The film offers good contrast and moderate grain, making it suitable for everyday photography. Its affordable price point makes it an excellent choice for those learning film photography.
Ilford HP5 Plus 400
For those interested in black and white photography, Ilford HP5 Plus 400 offers an excellent starting point. This versatile film provides impressive results in various lighting conditions and is remarkably forgiving of exposure errors. Its classic grain structure and tonal range make it particularly suitable for street photography and portraiture.
Budget-conscious tips for beginners
- Buy film in bulk packs to save money
- Store film properly to extend its shelf life
- Practice proper exposure techniques to avoid wasting film
- Consider developing at home to reduce long-term costs
Best practices for learning
When starting with film photography, it’s advisable to stick with one type of film initially to understand its characteristics thoroughly. Begin with consumer-grade films before moving to professional stocks, as they offer more forgiving exposure latitude and are more cost-effective for learning the basics.
Slide films for professional photography
For photographers seeking exceptional color accuracy and stunning image quality, slide films (also known as transparency films) offer unique characteristics that set them apart. Here are the top slide film options available in the UK market in 2024.
Kodak Ektachrome E100
Kodak Ektachrome E100 stands as a premier choice for professional photographers demanding precise color reproduction. This professional-grade slide film boasts extraordinary sharpness and a sublime color palette that makes it particularly suitable for commercial and landscape photography. With its fine grain structure and excellent color accuracy, it delivers outstanding results in controlled lighting conditions.
The film requires specific E6 processing, which while more specialized than standard C41 color negative processing, rewards photographers with exceptional image quality and vibrant slides that can be projected or scanned. At around £29 per roll, it represents a premium but worthwhile investment for professional work.
Fujifilm Velvia 50
Renowned for its iconic status among landscape photographers, Fujifilm Velvia 50 delivers incredibly saturated colors and exceptional detail resolution. This low-speed slide film excels in situations where maximum image quality is required, particularly in outdoor and nature photography where its vivid color reproduction can make scenes truly pop. Professional photographers often choose Velvia 50 for its ability to capture the subtle nuances of natural light and its remarkable color fidelity.
Key considerations when shooting slide film
- Exposure accuracy is crucial as slide films have less exposure latitude than negative films
- Processing must be done through specialized labs offering E6 development
- Storage conditions are important to maintain color stability
- Higher cost per roll compared to negative films
- Limited availability due to decreased production of slide films
Best practices for slide film photography
When working with slide films, precise exposure measurement is essential for optimal results. Using a reliable light meter and bracketing important shots can help ensure success. These films perform best in well-lit conditions and are particularly suited for:
- Commercial product photography
- Fine art landscape work
- Architecture documentation
- Scientific and medical photography
- Any application requiring precise color reproduction
While slide films require more technical expertise and careful handling, they reward photographers with unparalleled image quality and color accuracy that continues to make them invaluable tools for professional work in 2024.
Best 35mm films: top picks for UK photographers in 2024
Film development and storage tips
Proper film development and storage are crucial for maintaining image quality and extending the life of your precious 35mm films. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get the best results from your film photography.
Storage before shooting
Proper storage of unexposed film is essential for maintaining its quality. Store your films in a cool, dry place, ideally between 10-15°C (50-59°F). For longer-term storage, keeping films in the refrigerator can help preserve their quality. However, always allow refrigerated film to reach room temperature before use to prevent condensation.
Development options
When it comes to developing your film, you have several options available in the UK:
- Professional labs: Offers consistent results and quick turnaround times
- Home development: More cost-effective but requires initial investment in equipment
- Mail-in services: Convenient for those without local labs
Home development essentials
If you choose to develop at home, you’ll need some basic equipment and chemicals. For black and white film development, you’ll need a developing tank, thermometer, measuring cylinders, and chemicals including developer, stop bath, and fixer. Home development can be a rewarding process that gives you complete control over your results.
Post-development care
After development, proper storage of negatives is crucial. Store your processed films in archival sleeves and keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Professional archival storage solutions can help preserve your negatives for decades.
Temperature and humidity control
Both during development and storage, temperature and humidity control are crucial. The ideal storage conditions are:
- Temperature: 18-24°C (65-75°F)
- Relative humidity: 30-40%
- Away from direct sunlight and heat sources
- Free from dust and chemical contamination
For optimal results, consider using silica gel packets in your storage containers to control moisture levels. Professional photographers often recommend checking stored films periodically for any signs of degradation or environmental damage.
Best practices for longevity
- Label all films with date and development details
- Use acid-free archival sleeves for storage
- Store negatives vertically to prevent warping
- Keep an inventory of your stored films
- Handle negatives only by their edges