Our Top 5 Best Camera Films for your Film Camera

Before we answer what film is best for your film camera, let’s break down the analogue format in more detail. What is camera film, after all, and how does it work?

Camera film, a light-sensitive material, revolutionised photography by capturing and preserving images in the analogue era of glass plates and paper roll films. Although digital technology is much more common nowadays, camera film cameras has experienced a resurgence, with photographers, artists and novices rediscovering its unique qualities and artistic possibilities.

Film photography has gained popularity among a new generation of photographers who seek a distinct look and a break from the instant gratification of digital photography. It has become a means of artistic expression, with photographers utilising film's unique qualities to create evocative and captivating images.

One of the most common types of film is 35mm film. 35mm has been widely used in film photography for decades and continues to be a popular choice among enthusiasts and professionals. 35mm film refers to the standard size of the film strip, which measures 35 millimetres in width.

Q: Why is 35mm film considered the best choice for film photography?

A: 35mm film is widely regarded as an excellent choice due to its versatility, availability, and the wide range of film options available. It offers a balance between image quality, portability, and ease of use.

Q: Is 35mm film good for beginners?

A: Absolutely! 35mm film is a great starting point for beginners as it allows them to learn the fundamentals of photography, experiment with different film stocks, and develop a deeper understanding of the art form.

Q: What are the disadvantages of camera film?

A: Some potential drawbacks of film photography include limited exposure capacity (typically 24 or 36 exposures per roll), the need for film processing, and the absence of instant feedback that digital cameras provide.

Disposable cameras are compact, single-use cameras that come preloaded with film. Their simple and convenient design makes disposable cameras popular for casual photographers or special events.

While disposable cameras are convenient and suitable for casual photography, film cameras offer a more versatile and customisable experience for those passionate about film photography and seeking greater creative control over their images.

But if you love the idea of an inexpensive, no-fuss film photography experience, disposable cameras are a fantastic alternative to film cameras.

When choosing your camera film, it's crucial to consider several key factors to help you choose the best camera film for your photography needs.

Film Type: Start by deciding whether you want to shoot with negative colour or black and white film. Each type offers distinct aesthetic qualities and allows you to convey different moods and emotions through your photographs.

Nominal ISO Rating: The ISO rating indicates the film's sensitivity to light. The number you'll find on the box of film and film canisters is known as the Exposure Index (EI), and it represents the ISO rating of the film.

Higher ISO values (e.g., 400, 800) are suitable for low-light situations, while lower ISO values (e.g., 100, 200) are ideal for well-lit environments. Consider the lighting conditions you'll be shooting in to determine the appropriate ISO rating. 

Film Speed: You’ll often hear photographers refer to ISO as film speed or the speed of the film. The different film speeds can be described as follows: 

• Slow film speed – ISO 200 and below
• Medium film speed – ISO 400
• Fast film speed – ISO 800 and above

Colour Saturation: Colour-negative film exhibits varying levels of colour saturation. Some films offer vibrant and saturated colours, while others have a more subdued and natural colour palette. Consider the level of colour intensity you desire in your photographs.

Film Grain: Film grain refers to the visible texture in an image. Finer grain films produce smoother and more polished results, while films with a coarser grain can add a gritty and textured look to your photos. Decide on the level of grain you find visually appealing and suited to your artistic vision.

Number of Exposures: Each roll of camera film comes with a specific number of exposures, the most common being 24 or 36 frames. Consider your shooting style and the duration of your photography outings when selecting the number of exposures per roll.

Compatibility with C41-Type Processing: C41-type processing is a standard method for developing colour-negative films. Ensure that the film you choose is compatible with this processing method, as it will determine the ease of finding labs for film development.

Film Format: When selecting your camera film, you must check that the film format matches your camera's requirements. The most common format is 35mm cassette film, also known simply as 35mm film.

It's worth noting that other film formats are available, such as medium format. Medium format film offers larger negative sizes, resulting in higher resolution and more detail in your images. You should always confirm that the film you choose is compatible with your specific camera format, whether it be 35mm or another format.

By understanding these essential aspects of camera film, you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision and answer the all-important question: what film is best for a film camera?

Film is a must-have accessory for all film photographers, and for the best film photos, you want to pick the best film for your photography style. Introducing our carefully selected recommendations for the best camera films. These films have been handpicked for their outstanding qualities, ensuring your photography reaches new heights.

• Type: Colour Negative Film
• ISO: 160
• Key Features: Daylight Balanced, Fine Grain Structure, Great for scanning
• Perfect for: Portraits with fantastic skin tones; post-processing

Kodak Portra 160 is a stunning daylight-balanced colour-negative film with an ISO rating of 160 offering photographers versatility for various lighting conditions. 

Portra is well known for capturing beautiful skin tones with a natural and lifelike appearance, making it particularly well-suited for portrait photography.

The Kodak Portra 160 film boasts an exceptionally fine grain structure, making capturing intricate details in close-up portrait shots easier. The resulting images exhibit exceptional sharpness and clarity, with photographers will appreciate the film's low contrast, which lends a subtle and delicate touch to images.

• Type: Black & White Negative Film
• ISO: 400
• Key Features: C41 chemical process (Easy to process at your common lab), Fine Grain, Wide Exposure Latitude
• Perfect for: Various lighting conditions with high contrast

Ilford XP2 Super 400 is a highly versatile black-and-white film that offers remarkable sharpness, speed, and fine grain. Suitable for capturing a wide range of photographic subjects where XP2 truly excels is its ISO 400 rating, allowing photographers to capture a broad range of brightness levels.

With its high contrast characteristics, XP2 Super delivers striking and impactful negatives. And with the film's wide exposure latitude, photographers will enjoy greater flexibility in challenging lighting conditions, capturing details across both shadowed areas and highlights–an excellent choice for unpredictable or dynamic lighting conditions.

One notable feature of Ilford XP2 Super is its unique processing method. Unlike traditional black-and-white films requiring specialised chemicals, XP2 Super can be processed using C41-type processing chemicals, typically used for colour-negative films. This convenience makes finding photography labs to develop this film easier, as the C41 process is widely available.

• Type: Black & White Negative Film
• ISO: 400
• Key Features: Wide Exposure Latitude, Excellent sharpness levels & fine grain
• Perfect for: High-speed photography and push processing (up to ISO 3200)

Ilford HP5+ 400 is a high-speed black-and-white film known for its versatility and exceptional performance in various shooting situations. With its medium contrast and nominal ISO rating of 400, this film is an excellent choice for action, press, and general-purpose photography.

The HP5+ film produces negatives with outstanding sharpness and fine grain, resulting in detailed and crisp images. Whether you're shooting in bright or low-light conditions, this film excels in capturing a wide range of tones and textures. Its wide exposure latitude allows greater flexibility in exposure settings, ensuring you can confidently capture scenes with challenging lighting conditions.

One remarkable feature of HP5+ is its ability to respond well to push processing. Pushing the film beyond its nominal ISO rating of 400 can yield remarkable results, allowing for higher film speeds. When paired with an Ilford MICROPHEN developer, this film maintains good shadow detail, well-separated mid-tones, and retains sharpness with controlled grain.

• Type: Colour Negative Film
• ISO: 400
• Key Features: Versatile film, High saturation & contrast
• Perfect for: Capturing a wide range of subjects and scenarios

Kodak GC Ultramax 400 is a fast daylight-balanced colour-negative film that offers photographers a wide exposure range and exceptional versatility. With its fine grain structure and accurate colour reproduction, this film delivers reliable and vibrant results across various shooting conditions, from well-lit environments to dimly lit scenes.

The GC Ultramax 400 film is optimised to produce excellent skin tones, making it an ideal choice for portrait photography. It captures subtle nuances and details, resulting in lifelike and natural-looking portraits. The film's vivid overall colour palette enhances everyday and outdoor photography, ensuring vibrant and captivating images.

With an ISO sensitivity of 400, this film performs well in low-light situations, allowing for faster shutter speeds and reducing the risk of motion blur.

Kodak GC Ultramax 400 is also well-suited for scanning and larger print applications, allowing photographers to showcase their work in high-quality prints or digital formats. Each roll of this film offers 36 exposures, providing ample opportunities to capture memorable moments.

• Type: Black & White Negative Film
• ISO: 125
• Key Features: Fine Grain Structure, Wide Exposure Latitude, Incredible sharpness
• Perfect for: Enlargements, examinations of fine details

When it comes to high-quality black-and-white photography, Ilford FP4+ 125 is a great option. This film is renowned for its extremely fine grain and exceptional sharpness, making it the preferred choice for jobs that demand large enlargements or for capturing intricate details.

With a nominal ISO rating of 125, Ilford FP4+ has established itself as the benchmark against which other films are measured. The film's fine grain ensures that even the smallest details are captured with remarkable clarity and precision, resulting in stunningly detailed photographs.

One of the notable features of Ilford FP4+ is its wide latitude for exposure error. It allows photographers to achieve excellent results even when slightly overexposed or underexposed, making it a reliable choice for various lighting conditions and photographic subjects.