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Top 13 Film Stocks for Every Occasion | Our Favorite Film Brands

We asked a team of professional and hobbyist film photographers what each other their favorite film stocks were, including sample images across various formats.

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This year has been an incredible feat for the film photography community. With Kodak releasing their beloved Kodak Gold 200 in 120 formats, CineStill successfully Kickstarted 400D, Leica re-released the famous M6, and Nikon is now launching a film-lookalike of one of their digital mirrorless cameras.

While exciting, we must recognize how expensive film can be, and spending hard-earned dollars on film is a delicate choice. As such, we've put together this guide to walk you through most of the film stocks we carry to help you decide what film will serve you best.

I've enlisted the help of my fellow film shooters here at Creative Club Chicago to help give you a broader perspective on the myriad of film stocks. They're all wonderfully talented photographers — please check out their work, linked in each section, and give them a follow.

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Kodak Ektar 100

Picked By: @stevenmschultz

I will champion Ektar all day long. While not only film stock I have reached for, it works beautifully when I do. The roll's extreme colorways are beautiful for landscapes and street photography, and the 100-speed gives you a healthy level of fine grain and detail in every image. Pro tip — rate it for 25 or 50, and the colors will gradually soften to grant you a cleaner palette.

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Kodak

Professional Ektar 100 Color Negative Film 35mm

$14.99

Ultra-vivid color, exceptional sharpness, high saturation, and extraordinary enlargement. Ektar 100 film offers the finest, smoothest grain of any color-negative film available today. A perfect choice for commercial photographers and advanced amateurs. Recommended applications are nature, travel, outdoor photography, fashion, and product photography.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

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Kodak Ektachrome 100

Picked By: @braxtonwallis

Ektachrome is my favorite slide film available. Seeing your photos as positives rather than negatives after development makes this roll unique and charming. Ektachrome tends to lean on the cooler side, so I prefer to capture images during blue hour for an even chillier image of dusted blues.

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Kodak

Professional Ektachrome E100 Color Reversal 35mm Film

$21.99$22.99

Professional Ektachrome E100 35mm Film delivers outstanding image quality and performance. You can expect virtually grainless scans and enlargements, clean, bright whites, neutral tone scale, and outstanding skin tone reproduction from studio to location, fashion to landscape.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

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Kodak

Professional Ektachrome E100 Color Reversal 120 Film - 5 Rolls

$89.99

Kodak Professional Ektachrome E100 is a daylight-balanced color transparency film characterized by its extremely fine grain structure, vibrant color rendering, and overall low contrast profile. The lower contrast values contribute to a wide dynamic range and a neutral tonal scale for greater color accuracy, and a low D-min helps to ensure brighter, whiter whites. It has a medium-speed nominal sensitivity of ISO 100/21° when developed in E-6 process and the smooth grain profile pairs with a micro-structure optimized T-GRAIN emulsion to make it especially well-suited to scanning applications.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

View Details • $89.99
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Kodak Portra 160

Picked By: @melissatassone_

I appreciate Portra 160 because it offers the most refined, neutral tone. With its leaf shutter, I consistently achieve the most use out of the 160-speed in my GA 645. I've had a lot more range in editing the scans because the base colors of 160 stay true to life.

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Kodak

Professional Portra 160 Color Negative 35mm Film - 5 Rolls

$68.95$69.95

Kodak Portra 160 35mm film features a significantly finer grain structure for improved scanning and enlargement capability in today's workflow. Portra 160 delivers exceptionally smooth and natural skin tone reproduction, the hallmark of the Kodak Professional Portra Film Family. It's the ideal choice for portraits, fashion and commercial photography - whether in the studio or on location.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

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Kodak

Professional Portra 160 Color Negative 120 Film - 5 Rolls

$58.95$59.95

Kodak Portra 160 120 film features a significantly finer grain structure for improved scanning and enlargement capability in today's workflow. Portra 160 delivers exceptionally smooth and natural skin tone reproduction, the hallmark of the Kodak Professional Portra Film Family. It's the ideal choice for portraits, fashion and commercial photography - whether in the studio or on location.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

View Details • $58.95
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Kodak Gold 200

Picked By: @stevenmschultz

I was pleasantly surprised after testing Kodak's famous Gold 200 in 120; I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. I consider it an in-between option for Ektar 100 and Portra 400 — more saturated than Portra, a little less than Ektar, and offers plenty of sharpness, fine grain, and fantastic color. I'm not particularly fond of skin tones from this stock, but when there's sufficient light, it thrives for landscape imagery.

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Kodak

Gold 200 Color Negative 35mm Film - Single Roll

$10.99$11.99

Kodak Gold 200 35mm Film is a low-speed color negative film that offers an outstanding combination of color saturation, fine grain, and high sharpness. It is designed for general picture-taking situations in daylight or with an electronic flash. This is a top contender for many film photographers offered at the Moment film store.

If you're looking for Kodak Gold 200 in 120 medium format, we offer the film pro pack! Check out our Kodak Gold 200 review for more example images.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

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Kodak Portra 400

Picked By: @geneyoon

This is my go-to film stock. It's the film stock I've shot the most so far as a film photographer, and I love how it renders color and saturation. For budget, it's slightly more affordable than Portra 800 and is the perfect choice for portraits, landscapes, and general use.

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Kodak

Professional Portra 400 Color Negative Film 35mm

$74.99$79.99

At true ISO 400 speed, this Portra 35mm film delivers spectacular skin tones plus exceptional color saturation over a wide range of lighting conditions. For years, professionals have preferred Kodak Professional Portra films because of their consistently smooth, natural reproduction of the full range of skin tones. Portra 400 is the ideal choice for portrait and fashion photography, as well as nature, travel, and outdoor shoots, where the action is fast or the lighting can't be controlled. Learn the differences between Kodak's popular film stocks against Fujifilm's colors here.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here. 

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Kodak

Professional Portra 400 Color Negative 120 Film - 5 Rolls

$69.99

At true ISO 400 speed, this Portra 120 film delivers spectacular skin tones plus exceptional color saturation over a wide range of lighting conditions. For years, professionals have preferred Kodak Professional Portra films because of their consistently smooth, natural reproduction of the full range of skin tones. Portra 400 is the ideal choice for portrait and fashion photography, as well as nature, travel, and outdoor shoots, where the action is fast or the lighting can't be controlled.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

View Details • $69.99
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Fujifilm Pro 400H

Picked By: @geneyoon

This film stock I've reserved for landscape use. I adore how it looks with lots of available sunlight, particularly its mesmerizing blues and greens that emulate storybook visuals.

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Lomography 800

Picked By: @melissatassone_

Lomo 800 is a favorite because of its natural glow, vibrant colors, and a deep touch of grain. I naturally lean for magenta in my digital editing to impersonate this stock's natural tone. While it may seem gnarly to push to 3200, it holds up well for low-light conditions. Lomo 800 is the only film stock I use that has made my red hair pop while maintaining its hue.

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Portra 800

Picked By: @stevenmschultz

My go-to film stock for almost every scenario. It's perfect for shooting when the light gets low, and I generally value this film's stellar saturation, textured grain, and subtle contrast. It's the first film I reach for regardless of the situation because I know it'll deliver the exact results I envision before I pick up my camera.

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Kodak

Professional Portra 800 Color Negative 120 Film - 5 Rolls

$75.99$79.99

Kodak Professional Portra 800 120 film delivers all the advantages of a high-speed film along with finer grain, higher sharpness, and more natural skin tones and color reproduction. Portra 800 film delivers best-in-its class underexposure latitude, with the ability to push to 1600 when you need extra speed. it is ideal for long lenses, fast action, and low light, enabling you to capture shadow details without flash. Portra 800 film - for perfectly stunning results with less-than-perfect light.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

View Details • $75.99
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CineStill 800T

Picked By: @eric.floberg

I don’t shoot CineStill that frequently, but when it works, it really works. Since it is technically Vision 500T (commonly used film for motion picture films) with the remjet layer removed, it has a visceral cinematic look unparalleled to any other film stock. Stereotypically, photographers use this stock on urban landscapes at night for the red halation’s, but I love experimenting with it in broad daylight, for portraiture, and during blue hour.

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CineStill

800 Tungsten Color Negative 35mm Film

$17.99

Rated ISO 200-2000! Can be pushed to 3000! CineStill 800Tungsten is a unique film for still photographers. This 800-speed tungsten-balanced color negative film is prepared from the same motion picture film stock used by top cinematographers around the world. This film is designed for difficult low-light tungsten situations and may be used in many different lighting situations to achieve a variety of looks.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

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CineStill

800 Tungsten Color Negative 120 Film

$16.99

120 format color negative film, factory spooled, and boxed. Rated ISO 200-2000! Can be pushed over 3000! CineStill 800Tungsten (2nd. Generation) is a unique film for still photographers. This 800-speed tungsten-balanced color negative film is prepared from the same gold standard motion picture technology used by top cinematographers around the world. This film is designed for difficult low-light tungsten situations and may be used in many different lighting situations to achieve a variety of looks.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here. 

View Details • $16.99
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CineStill BWxx

Picked By: @braxtonwallis

I love BWxx because of its effortless cinematic vibe. As essentially repackaged Kodak Eastman Double-X 5222, you can recreate the countenance seen in movies such as Raging Bull, Schindler's List, and Kill Bill Vol. 1. It sports stunning tonality with pleasing contrast and grain structure.

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CineStill

BwXX - Black and White Negative 35mm Film

$13.99

CineStill BwXX is a variable speed, classic black & white film emulsion, with an EI of 250 under daylight and 200 under tungsten lighting. Recommended development in Kodak D-96 developer or Df96 Monobath, but is compatible with D-76, HC110, and all other black and white film developers.

Double-X is a classic black and white film stock left relatively unchanged since it's release in 1959 for still and motion picture use. CineStill BwXX is an excellent choice for those looking for a classic film stock to fill the void left by the discontinuation of it's wonderful sister films, Kodak Plus-x (discontinued in 2010) and TXP320.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

View Details • $13.99
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Ilford HP5+

Picked By: @braxtonwallis

HP5+ Is the most versatile B&W stock; it offers tons of exposure latitude to shoot in any condition. It also provides a softer, less contrasty face if that's more your style. I love carrying this around when I don't know the constraints. Furthermore, this is the best budget B&W stock you can find.

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Ilford

HP5 PLUS Black and White Negative 35mm Film (36 Exposures) - 24 Exp

$7$8.95

Ilford HP5 PLUS is a high speed, fine grain, medium contrast B&W film making it an excellent choice for journalism, documentary, travel, sports, action, and indoor available light photography. Nominally rated at ISO 400, HP5 PLUS produces negatives of outstanding sharpness and fine grain under all lighting conditions. It has been formulated to respond well to push-processing and can be rated up to El 3200/36°. Its wide exposure latitude makes it a great choice for beginners, those returning to film as well as the more experienced professional users.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

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Ilford

HP5 PLUS Black and White Negative 120 Film

$7.99$8.99

Ilford HP5 PLUS is a high speed, fine grain, medium contrast B&W film making it an excellent choice for journalism, documentary, travel, sports, action and indoor available light photography. Nominally rated at ISO 400, HP5 PLUS produces negatives of outstanding sharpness and fine grain under all lighting conditions. It has been formulated to respond well to push-processing and can be rated up to El 3200/36°. It’s wide exposure latitude makes it a great choice for beginners, those returning to film as well as the more experienced professional users.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

View Details • $7.99
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Kodak Tri-X 400

Picked By: @braxtonwallis

My favorite film stock for almost everything. I love shooting this stock at 800-1600 ISO, but it can handle 3200 without a problem. It gives a more contrasty look than most, which I love.

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Kodak

Professional Tri-X 400 Black and White Negative 35mm Film

$7.59$8.59

The world's best selling B&W 35mm film. This classic B&W film allows for maximum pushability when needed, while its wide exposure latitude leverages even the most challenging lighting situations. And the distinctive grain structure adds a level of realism as dramatic and profound as each subject.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

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Kodak

Professional Tri-X 400 Black and White Negative 120 Film - 5 Rolls

$43.95$44.95

The world's best selling B&W 120 film. This classic B&W film allows for maximum pushability when needed, while its wide exposure latitude leverages even the most challenging lighting situations. And the distinctive grain structure adds a level of realism as dramatic and profound as each subject.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

View Details • $43.95
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Kodak TMax 400

Picked By: @braxtonwallis

This is my favorite b&w stock for portraits. It features Kodak's T-Grain emulsion and maintains a fine-grain structure with potent levels of sharpness and detail. It also pushes very well if you're seeking additional contrast.

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Kodak

Professional T-Max 400 Black and White 35mm Film

$9.99$10.99

Kodak Professional T-MAX 400 35mm Film is the sharpest 400-speed B&W film in the world, in addition to being the finest-grained. The Kodak T-Grain emulsion of this high-speed, highly detailed film provides all the power you need to expose the true purity of the environment.

*Note: Opened consumable items (film or film cameras) are not refundable. To learn more click here.

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