GUIDE TO 35MM FILM AT JUNKTION
One of the questions we get asked most often in the shop is "what's the difference between all the film?" The short answer is that there's no right answer. Different films suit different situations, and half the fun of shooting film is figuring out what you like. Here's a quick guide to some of the 35mm film we keep in our film fridge.
Kodak Gold 200:
A classic for a reason. Gold 200 has been around for decades and is a great everyday film. It handles sunny days well and gives photos that familiar look most people associate with film photography.
Colours: Warm tones, rich yellows and reds, and that classic vintage film look.
Kodak Ultramax 400:
If you're only buying one roll, Ultramax is hard to go wrong with. It's versatile, works well in a wider range of lighting conditions than Gold, and is one of the films we recommend most often to people getting started.
Colours: Rich, vibrant colour saturation with natural-looking skin tones and a slight, pleasing warm-to-neutral overall balance
Kodak Portra 400:
Probably one of the most well-known colour films around. Portra is popular because it consistently produces great results. It's forgiving, versatile, and works just as well for travel, portraits, or everyday shooting.
Colours: Soft, natural colours with gentle contrast. Particularly well known for skin tones.
Fujifilm 200:
A solid all-round colour film. It's easy to shoot, reasonably affordable, and has a look that feels slightly different to Kodak stocks without being dramatically different.
Colours: Slightly cooler and cleaner than Kodak films, particularly with greens and blues, making it ideal for landscapes and nature.
Kodak Pro Image 100:
Often overlooked, but a really good option. Pro Image 100 likes good light and produces clean, natural-looking images. If you're shooting outdoors during the day, it's well worth considering.
Colours: Balanced and natural, without being too warm or too saturated.
Kodak Ektar 100:
Known for strong colours and very fine grain. If you're shooting landscapes, cars, architecture, or anything colourful, Ektar is a go-to.
Colours: Vivid, saturated colours with deep blues, bright reds, and plenty of contrast.
Cinestill 800T:
Designed for artificial light and night shooting. If you're heading into the city after dark, shooting gigs, or wandering around under neon signs, this is usually the roll people reach for.
Unlike standard still films, CineStill 800T has its anti-halation backing (Rem-Jet) removed. This creates a signature red, glowing halo effect around bright, point light sources at night
Colours: Cinematic cool tone palette, vibrant red saturation, and distinct halation glow around bright light sources.
Kodak Tri-X 400:
One of the most iconic black and white films ever made. Tri-X has a distinctive look that has kept photographers coming back to it for decades.
Look: Strong contrast, noticeable grain, and plenty of character.
Ilford HP5 Plus:
A black and white staple. Reliable, flexible, and a good place to start if you're trying black and white film for the first time.
Look: Slightly softer contrast than Tri-X with a classic black and white feel.
Ilford XP2:
Black and white film that's processed like colour film. That means it's easy to get developed almost anywhere, making it a popular choice for people who want to shoot black and white without any extra fuss.
Look: Smooth tones, fine grain, and a cleaner look than many traditional black and white films.
Film photography would be pretty boring if every roll gave you the same result. That's part of what keeps people coming back to it. Every film stock has its own look, and sometimes the biggest differences only become obvious once you've shot a few rolls yourself.
If you're new to film, don't overthink it. Pick up a couple of different stocks, take them out over the next few weeks, and see what you enjoy shooting most. You might end up loving the film you least expected to.
Whether you're after an everyday roll, something for a trip away, a black and white classic, or a roll to shoot after dark, there's a reason all of these films have stuck around for so long.
And if you're planning on shooting regularly, don't forget to grab one of our film loyalty cards. Buy 9 rolls of film, and the 10th is on us. It's a good excuse to try something different next time you're in.
We've always got a good range of fresh 35mm film in stock both in-store and online, so if something here sounds like your kind of film, grab a few rolls and see where they take you. Sometimes your favourite film ends up being the one you almost didn't buy.