Film Stock Guide
Film stock is light-sensitive material coated on a plastic base. When exposed in a camera, silver halide crystals react to light, forming a latent image. Black and white film records luminance only. Color negative film captures full color in a low-contrast negative for printing and scanning. Slide (reversal) film produces a positive image with vivid color and high contrast, designed for projection.
The choice of film is the first creative decision in analog photography. Black and white gives you control over the entire process from exposure to print. Color negative offers forgiving exposure latitude and natural tones. Slide film delivers unmatched color vibrancy but demands precise metering.
B&W Films
| Film | ISO | Grain | Contrast | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kodak Tri-X 400 | 400 | Classic, visible | Medium-high | Street, documentary, all-around workhorse |
| Ilford HP5 Plus | 400 | Fine, smooth | Medium | Portraits, landscapes, excellent push to 1600 |
| Fuji Acros 100 II | 100 | Extremely fine | Medium | Long exposures, architecture, fine detail |
| Kodak T-Max 400 | 400 | Very fine (T-grain) | High | Studio, controlled light, maximum sharpness |
| Ilford Delta 100 | 100 | Ultra-fine | Medium-high | Landscapes, technical work, large prints |
Color Negative Films
| Film | ISO | Grain | Contrast | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kodak Portra 400 | 400 | Very fine | Medium-low | Portraits, weddings, natural skin tones |
| Kodak Portra 160 | 160 | Extremely fine | Low | Studio, fashion, fine detail |
| Kodak Gold 200 | 200 | Fine | Medium | Everyday, warm tones, affordable |
| Fujifilm 400 | 400 | Fine | Medium | All-around, cool tones, great value |
| Cinestill 800T | 800 | Visible | High | Tungsten light, night scenes, halation glow |
Color Positive (Slide) Films
| Film | ISO | Grain | Contrast | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuji Velvia 50 | 50 | Ultra-fine | Very high | Landscapes, vivid saturation, legendary colors |
| Fuji Provia 100F | 100 | Extremely fine | High | All-around, natural color, scans beautifully |
| Kodak Ektachrome E100 | 100 | Extremely fine | High | Portraits, nature, clean cool blues |
| Fuji Velvia 100 | 100 | Ultra-fine | Very high | Nature, high saturation, fine grain |
Based on submissions to Neoanaloglab Foto, Kodak Tri-X 400 and Kodak Portra 400 are the most-used B&W and color films. Fuji Velvia 50 is the top slide film choice for landscape work.
How to Choose Your First Film
For B&W, start with a 400-speed film like Kodak Tri-X 400 or Ilford HP5 Plus. For color, Kodak Portra 400 is forgiving and produces beautiful skin tones. For landscapes with a tripod, Fuji Velvia 50 delivers unmatched color — but meter carefully. Slide film has the least exposure latitude of the three types.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best film for beginners?
- For B&W: Kodak Tri-X 400 or Ilford HP5 Plus. For color: Kodak Portra 400 or Kodak Gold 200. These films have wide exposure latitude — they tolerate incorrect exposure well. They are available in 35mm and 120 formats and easy to find.
- What is the difference between color negative and slide film?
- Color negative film (C-41 process) produces a low-contrast negative with wide exposure latitude — you can be off by a stop or two. Slide film (E-6 process) produces a positive image with high contrast and vivid color, but exposure must be precise to within half a stop. Slide film was designed for projection; color negative was designed for printing.
- Can I use the same film for both daylight and indoor shooting?
- ISO 400 film handles both well. For daylight, use smaller apertures or faster shutter speeds. Indoors, use wider apertures. For tungsten light, consider Cinestill 800T which is balanced for artificial light. For night shooting without a tripod, push 400-speed film to 800 or 1600.
Sources
ISO speeds, grain and contrast on this page follow the manufacturers' own published technical data. The usage figures are ours, counted from submissions to Neoanaloglab Foto.
- Kodak Professional — still film product data — Tri-X 400, T-Max 400, Portra 400 and 160, Gold 200, Ektachrome E100
- ILFORD Photo (HARMAN technology) — technical downloads — HP5 Plus, Delta 100
- Fujifilm — Acros 100 II, Velvia 50 and 100, Provia 100F