An Unexpected Find: Expired Mitsubishi Color Film Super MX 200

I’m always looking for ISO 200 speed films to match with my Olympus Trip 35. The Mitsubishi Color Film Super MX 200 is one film that I recently tried with the camera. Unfortunately, I have mixed feelings for this film.

During a recent holiday to Bangkok, Thailand, I came across this roll of film in a lomo shop. What’s more, it expired in December 2010. Naturally, I had to get a couple rolls to test out.

I didn’t test out the roll in Bangkok. Instead, I tested it within two days of my return to Singapore when it was bright and sunny.

Having recently shot a roll of its lower speed film sibling, the Mitsubishi Color Film Super MX 100, I felt that it was appropriate to test it out with the Olympus Trip 35 too. Because it was only 15 months past its expiry date, I decided to set it at box speed.

The test I decided to do was simple. Take some photos of what I see. No special effects. Just snap what I think looks interesting or caught my attention. Here are my findings.

Colors appeared to be soft and muted.

Even in bright sunlight, the colors are subdued.

Strangely, it performs well when picking out the colors in the shade.

But you’re pushing your luck when shooting a subject in a well-shaded area.

However, this one photo surprised me was most. I was standing in the shade, yet it was blindly bright when I looked up at the spiral staircase. Somehow, the film picked up the colors and details much better than expected.

When it came to quick street snaps, I thought it did ok.

Looking at all the photos taken with this film, I can’t say that I’ll run out to buy more of this film as I feel that there are better films for street photography. But if you want a film that can produce a soft look to your photos, then this could be an interesting expired film to try.

written by uncle_jay on 2012-04-11 #gear #expired #review #color #street-photography #singapore #olympus-trip-35 #merlion #mitsubishi-color-film-super-mx-200