Color Negative Films in the Market Today

Analogue photography continues to thrive. While the population of analogue photographers continues to increase, a lot of people feel limited to the selection of film stocks that are still available in the market. Perhaps you just need a modern guide. Here's a comprehensive list of all the available and still-in-production color negatives in the industry as we break down the gist of each film formula.

Lomochrome Purple XR 100-400

We begin with our very own Lomochrome Purple XR 100-400. The Lomochrome Purple has its own cult following since its introduction in 2013. It's a recreation of the discontinued yet iconic Aerochrome infrared formula, made for the simpler and more accessible C-41 processing. A true game-changer to creative analogue photography. The film is available in 35 mm, 120 format and Super 8 formula can still be experienced through the Lomochrome Purple Simple Use Film Camera.

Recommended for: experimental photography, fine art photography, pictorialism, surrealist photography, conceptual color photography

Kodak Ultra Max 400

The high-speed film Kodak Ultra Max 400 is made for shooters-on-the-go. This color negative is meant for versatility as it can be used in different lighting situations while retaining color vibrancy and crisp grains.

Recommended for: low daylight photography, street photography, action photography

Lomography Color Negative 100

The Lomography Color Negative Series is available in 35 mm and 120 format, the speed ranging from ISO100 to ISO800. The slowest speed version from the series, the Lomography Color Negative 100, is meant for outdoor and daylight photography and a favorite film to use for intentional film aesthetics and moods such as light leak effects, blurs, and vignettes. The film is also available in 120 format.

Recommended for: artistic, daylight photography, Lomographic shooters, post-processing experiments

Kodak Gold 200

Kodak Gold 200 is one of the beginner-friendly films in the market, best known for its saturated colors and fine grain. The film is mostly used for daylight photography and flash photography. Try exposing this film under photo lamps or tungsten light with color filters. The film also has a wide exposure latitude -- from two stops for underexposure, and three stops for overexposure.

Recommended for: beginner analogue photographers, general daylight photography

Kodak Portra

The classic Kodak Portra 400 is known for its unique tonal range and color saturation under different lighting conditions. It is a favorite among professional and amateur portraitists under natural light thanks to its skin tone accuracy. The Portra is also available at high-speed in ISO800, meant for low-light and fast action. Meanwhile, the Portra 160 film is an improved formula of the Portra, meant for finer grain structure, improved scanning and image enlargement. This professional film is a favorite among professional portraitists, fashion and commercial photographers whether in or out of the studio.

Recommended for: both professionals and amateurs, portrait photography, outdoor photography, nature photography, shooting under overcast weather, fashion photography

Lomography Color Negative 400

The Lomography Color Negative 400 is the happy medium and a versatile partner. Whether under sunny or cloudy conditions, the Color Negative 400 will be able to reproduce the same colors and crispness. Due to its fairly moderate speed, it is one of the most used films for street photography. The film is also available in 120 format.

Recommended for: fine art photography, action photography, Lomographic shooters, post-processing experiments

Kodak Ektar

Kodak Ektar is a low-speed professional color negative film known for its extraordinary enlargement capability as a 35 mm format. Professionals and advanced amateurs will enjoy this film's smooth grains, vivid saturation, and colors.

Recommended for: for advanced shooters of macrophotography, nature photography, travel, and landscape photography

Psychedelic Blues Series

Psychedelic Blues is actually pre-exposed Kodak Gold, providing unpredictable light leaks, strobes, and effects reminiscent to the Diana camera. This was a creation by photographer Dustin Adams, and there are currently 6 different versions of the series. Beware though, this film can give results unsuitable to your personal taste. For the risk-takers only.

Recommended for: Experimental analogue shooters, artistic photography, Lomographic style

Lomography Color Negative 800

The Lomography Color Negative 800, the highest speed film out of the Color Negative Series from Lomography, is meant to be a jack-of-all-trades in color photography, Its high color vivacity, sharpness and film grain retained no matter the camera, lighting conditions, or technical beating. It is a favorite among low-light shooters and light painters. The film is also available in 120 format is often one of the fastest to sell out due to high demand.

Recommended for: fine art photography, pictorialism, night photography, light painting, Lomographic shooters, post-processing experiments

Fujicolor C200

This film is a flexible consumer color negative that's best for casual outdoor shoots. Take this film on natural scenery for portraits and group shots.

Recommended for: hobbyist color photographers under daylight conditions

Fujicolor Superia X-TRA400

With ISO400, much can already be done. The Fujicolor Superia X-TRA400 is made for compact and automatic film cameras meant for action photography or low-light shots. The film's shelf-life has also been improved and is a favorite stock among film hoarders.

Recommended for: more advanced amateurs, routine film photographers, action photography

Fujicolor Pro 400H

The Fujicolor Pro 400H may just be one of the ultimate professional color negative films out there, available in various formats. It's a daylight-type meant for wedding, commercial and fashion photography in which accurate and faithful recreation of subjects are prioritized. There's also a wide, smooth gradation from highlights to shadows, and neutral grays are present.

Recommended for: professional wedding, commercial or documentary photographers

Lomography Redscale XR

Making one's own redscale film takes effort, and red-orange filters just can't exactly recreate the romantic aesthetic of redscale photographs. The Lomography Redscale XR, both available in 35 mm and 120 format. Its speed ranges from ISO50 to ISO200, and each variation gives a different chromatic, vintage mood. It's a very popular film among film shooters who want to recreate the 'aged-photograph' look.

Recommended for: vintage or antique aesthetic photography, creative photography

Enjoy your color negative films by pairing them up with a Lomography camera, available at the Online Shop and Gallery Stores worldwide.

2019-07-14 #gear #film-photography #color-negative-film