Q&A: What are good beginner films to use?
Embarking on a journey into film photography can feel like stepping into a magical, nostalgic world. Choosing the right film stock plays a huge role in shaping your creative vision. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular film stocks to help you make an informed decision.
Top Color Film Stocks
Why It Stands Out: Portra 160 is known for its fine grain, beautiful skin tones, and versatility in bright conditions. It excels in well-lit environments, rendering greens and natural colors beautifully.
Pro Tip: Overexpose slightly for vibrant but true-to-life colors. Great for portraits and landscapes.
Why It Stands Out: Affordable and widely available, Gold 200 delivers warm tones and a nostalgic '70s aesthetic. Ideal for casual summer shoots. I like this film especially in medium format and like to meter it for ISO 125 and develop it normally.
Pro Tip: A great beginner’s film stock, perfect for testing new cameras.
Why It Stands Out: A versatile choice for serious photographers. Portra 400 shines in diverse lighting conditions, from golden hour cityscapes to wedding portraits. This film is popular given its ability to easily handle overexposure- I know a number of people who shoot this film exposing at ISO 100 or 200 and there is no need to ask the lab to push or pull it- develop it normally.
Pro Tip: Its ability to retain detail in highlights and shadows makes it a favorite for unpredictable light.
Why It Stands Out: Known for its halation (the glow around lights), CineStill 800T is a favorite for nighttime photography and cinematic looks.
Pro Tip: Ideal for urban scenes with artificial lighting, like gas stations or city streets. I like to set my ISO meter to ISO 640 for this film and while a warming filter helps with the cool color temperatures without needing to edit the photos, I just add a couple of points of warmth to the photos in Lightroom. When I meter for ISO 640, I ask the lab to develop it normally.
Kodak Ektar 100
Why It Stands Out: This is a fairly recent film in comparison to many on this list and is a gorgeous film to use for landscapes.
Pro Tip: It doesn’t have as much leniency for poor exposure as other films like Portra 400 but its colors are sooooo good (unless you’re photographing white-skinned people, in which case it can make skin tones look redder than they should).
Top Black-and-White Film Stocks
Why It Stands Out: This classic black-and-white film is known for its sharp, gritty look, making it a go-to for documentary and street photography.
Pro Tip: Push to higher ISOs (like 1600) for dramatic contrast in low light.
Why It Stands Out: Versatile and forgiving, HP5 Plus performs well in a wide range of lighting conditions.
Pro Tip: A great choice for beginners who want a reliable black-and-white option.
Why It Stands Out: Film is expensive and what I love about this film is how cheap it is. It handles pushing exposures to ISO 1600 (underexposing 2 stops) and then asking the lab to push it 2 stops in development.
Pro Tip: Shoot at ISO 1600 and develop +2 stops with your lab. I like how this film looks developed in Xtol to reduce graininess. Surprisingly, this is my favorite film to use in my half frame Pentax 17 at ISO 1600.
Honorable Mentions in Color Film
Lomography Purple or Turquoise: For psychedelic color shifts, turning ordinary scenes into vibrant works of art.
Kodak Ultramax 400: A flexible, all-purpose film that works well in various lighting conditions, great for beginners.
Lomography CN 800: Great for point-and-shoots that will be used indoors and outdoors.
Why Film Stocks Matter
Each film stock has unique characteristics, such as color tones, grain structure, and contrast. Experimenting with different films is part of the joy of film photography. You’ll discover which stocks resonate with your creative style and bring out the best in your work.
Tips for Film Photography Success
Expose for Shadows: Unlike digital, film thrives when slightly overexposed. Meter for shadows to retain detail.
Choose the Right Film for the Situation: Higher ISO films (like CineStill 800T) are better for low light, while low ISO films (like Kodak Ektar 100) shine in bright conditions.
Experiment and Have Fun: Don’t be afraid to try new film stocks and techniques. Each roll is a learning experience.
Film photography combines nostalgia with artistic expression. Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant colors of Kodak Portra or the timeless feel of Ilford HP5 Plus, your journey is just beginning. Grab your favorite film stock and start shooting!