Fujifilm 200 Color Negative 35 mm Film Review with Sample Photos in Paris, France!

July 23, 2025

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

For years, I’ve always gravitated towards Kodak film stocks, but lately I’ve been branching out and trying more Fujifilm options. There’s something incredibly nostalgic about 35 mm Fujifilm, probably because it was common in the 80s and 90s for disposable cameras to be pre-loaded with a version of color Fujifilm or Kodak, and I specifically remember the way that Fujifilm disposable looked from my childhood.

I decided to try out the Fujifilm 200 Color Negative film with my Canon Rebel K2 while I was in Paris, France. I have a full blog post and YouTube video about the Canon Rebel K2, if you’d like to learn more about it! It’s a fairly average 35 mm camera, but I find it to be the perfect travel camera, especially if you’re just getting into film photography.

Going through these photos from my trip to Paris reminds me of why I love shooting film photography on my trips. Every image just feels sentimental and memorable. With film photography, there is just more thought and decisiveness that goes into creating an image than it does with digital photography. Every photo costs money, so each one is intentional and important to me.

Overall, I’m pleasantly surprised by this film in that it captured quite a bit of detail in the shadows for a 200 ISO film. I do find it to be a bit grainy for a 200 speed film, but the color tones are beautiful. I absolutely love the slight green tint that I find Fujifilm to have because it’s almost as if the images have already aged a bit. It reminds me of looking through old photographs from my childhood that have turned a bit dusty or discolored after sitting in the photo album for a decade or two. Sometimes though, the slight green tint can become a bit difficult to deal with in post-processing if you’re photographing out in nature or with lots of foliage. There can just be too much green. In those situations, I’d probably prefer to use something like Kodak Portra 160 or 400 because they have more natural color tones.

For the price though, Fujifilm 200 Color Negative is a fun, reliable film stock. I don’t find it to be too oversaturated, which can be an issue with other low-price film stocks. One issue I tend to have with cheaper film is with skin tones. I often end up having to pull out red, yellows, and oranges but I didn’t find myself doing that with this film. I actually didn’t want to mess with the color tones too much in post-processing because the magic of Fujifilm is that it does have that vintage greenish tint to it.

I definitely want to try out this film with one of my more expensive 35 mm cameras so that I can really see what it’s capable of, especially with a wider aperture that may decrease the visible grain. But overall, I have no regrets using this film on my trip to Paris and I will definitely continue to try this film out more in the future!

WHERE TO BUY FUJIFILM FUJICOLOR 200 35 MM FILM

Amazon

B&H Photo

Or pick up a Fujifilm disposable camera if you really want to go for the full retro film vibe!

I’ve included a full roll of images from Paris using my Canon Rebel K2 below. I hope this post helps you decide if Fujifilm 200 is something you want to try out! If you’re on the hunt for other 35 mm color films, make sure to check out my post The Best Color Film for 35 mm Cameras | Top 5 Best 35 mm Color Films.

If you found this post helpful or inspiring, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my B&H Photo storefront & Amazon Storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

The 5 Best & Most Affordable Black & White 35 mm & 120 Film Stocks with Reviews & Sample Photos

July 18, 2025

When I first started my photography journey, I started with black and white film. I was obsessed with it. I spent hours in the darkroom, developing film and creating prints, in awe over the natural nostalgia of black and white. Something about it just felt so timeless and artistic. Even now, those photographs that I took back then and spent hours perfecting, are still special to me. I was particularly intrigued by the Holga 120 camera, and have since taken thousands of Holga photos, dragging a Holga everywhere I go, even now, 16 year later.

These days, I tend to shoot color film ( you can read more about my favorite color films here), just because it gives me the option of having both the color and black and white versions of a photo. However, lately I’ve been finding myself craving the simplicity (and affordability) of black and white film. I’ve never really met a black and white film that I didn’t like, but there a few that I tend to buy more often than others, just because there is something special about the way that they capture light and shadows. And I’m always looking for a balance of price and quality. Here are my top 5 best & most affordable black and white 35 mm & 120 film stocks, along with a quick review and sample photos that I’ve taken over the years, so that you can decide which one you’d like to try out!

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

1. FUJIFILM NEOPAN ACROS 100 II

For years, the original version of Neopan Acros 100 was my all-time favorite black and white film. Sadly, they stopped making it, but a few years ago they reintroduced this second version of the film. While it’s not quite as magical as the original version, I still buy it from time to time. I find the blacks and shadows to sometimes be a bit too dark which causes a loss of detail. What I loved the most about the original version of the film was that it had a lot of contrast, but maintained details in the shadows. I find the new version to still have that contrast, but with a little less detail that I’m able to pull out of the blacks when editing. Don’t get me wrong, I still love it, but I can’t help but be a little heartbroken over the loss of the original version of the film. I actually have a full blog post and YouTube video about this film stock! It comes in both 35 mm and 120 formats.

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

Amazon

B&H Photo

120 film

Amazon

B&H Photo

2. ILFORD HP5 PLUS 400

I haven’t tried this one out quite as much, but it’s actually one of the films that I first started shooting with back in the day. It’s a little less contrasty than Neopan Acros 100 II, but I find it to have a bit more detail in the shadows. Because it is a litle more flat, it gives you more flexibility when it comes to editing and post-processing. It definitely has that classic nostalgia that I’m always looking for when it comes to black and white film and automatically makes it look like your photos were taken 50 years ago. Since it is a 400 ISO film, you’ll find it has more grain and grittiness that the Neopan Acros 100 film. But this also means that it performs better in low light and is more versatile overall. This is a great film to throw in your bag when you’re traveling or when you’re not sure what the lighting conditions are going to be. I recently ordered more of this film and I’m excited to add more Ilford HP5 Plus photos to my portfolio. :) It also comes in both 35 mm and 120 formats.

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

Amazon

B&H Photo

120 film

Amazon

B&H Photo

3. KODAK TRI-X 400

Kodak Tri-X 400 is probably the most common and most easily accesible film on the list. It’s super affordable and really has that traditional black and white film look. I definitely buy this one the most out of all of the films on this list, because it’s a great price and has never failed me. I love how dark the blacks and I find it to have the perfect amount of contrast. These days it’s probably one of my favorite black and white films because it really fulfills that nostalgia and classic black and white look that I’m always on the hunt for. It’s super sharp and not too grainy for a 400 ISO film. I always have a handful of this film in my fridge. You really can’t go wrong with this one!

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

Amazon

B&H Photo

120 film

Amazon

B&H Photo

4. LOMOGRAPHY EARL GREY 100

Honestly, any Lomography black and white film is fun to experiment with, and they won’t break the bank. I shoot a LOT of Lomography film, especially the color negative 400 which comes in both 35 mm and 120 film. But lately, I’ve gotten into trying out all of their black and white films. They are all so unique and great for finding your personal style. I particularly love the Lomography Earl Grey 100 film, which has that nostalgia that I’m always looking for, but also has a unique tonal range compared to others on this list. You’ll notice it has an overall muted and gray tone. It reminds me of a faded black and white photograph you might find in an old trunk in your grandparent’s attic. It’s moody and dreary, which I absolutely love. There are a ton of other black and white films you can try out from Lomography, like the Lady Grey 400 & Potsdam 100. Those are also two great black and white film stocks!

WHERE TO BUY

B&H Photo

5. KENTMERE PAN 100

Kentmere Pan 100 is a film stock that is somewhat directed towards beginners and students, so it’s very affordable. It’s also super forgiving and versatile, which makes it a great film stock all around. Even though I love the way it looks, something about it doesn’t feel quite as special as the others on this list. But maybe it’s just because I have more of a history with some of the others. :) If you’re on a bit of a budget though, this one is a perfect place to start and won’t disappoint. I just took a few rolls with me on a trip to England, and I’m pleasantly surprised by the beautiful contrast and sharpness. When I first started shooting with the Holga 120 GCFN (which I used for all of the images below), I pretty much exclusively used 100 ISO film. The lens on a Holga is naturally soft so using a 100 ISO film brings more sharpness and clarity to your images. I’m reminded of why 100 ISO film is so great with toy cameras, but it is temperamental on cloudy days or in low-light settings. When I’m not sure of the environment I’m going into, or if I notice the weather is going to be overcast, I tend to stick with 400 ISO film. If you’re interested in learning more about Holga cameras, make sure to check out my blog post here, or my YouTube video here! It also comes in a 200 ISO and 400 ISO film speed.

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

B&H Photo

120 film

B&H Photo

<3 Myles Katherine

Kodak Portra 400 Film Review | Is it Worth the Price?

April 29, 2025

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

The beloved Kodak 400 Film - is it worth it? There are so many different film stocks out there but this is probably the one you’ve heard the most about. It’s coveted amongst film photographers and is one of the first color film stocks I ever heard about when starting my photography career. I’ve been using this film for YEARS and have spent far too much money loading my fridge with boxes of it. But I’ve also tried out tons of other film stocks at this point, so I feel I can give a true and honest opinion. In the grand scheme of it all, if someone were to ask me if they should try out Kodak Portra 400, my answer will always be yes, but here are three reasons why:

The Color & Skin Tones are Highly Accurate
Particularly for beginner photographers, I like to recommend this film because it takes out some of the guesswork and post-editing that you might have to do with other film stocks. This film is very forgiving and just naturally looks beautiful. The colors aren’t overly saturated but it still has a gorgeous vibrance that mimics reality. If I could exclusively shoot with Kodak Portra 400, I would. Unfortunately, it’s just a bit too expensive to shoot with consistently. But if you’re just starting out with photography, especially if you’re learning how to shoot 120 film with a Holga or Diana F+, this is the first film I’d recommend. I do find Kodak Portra film to have the prettiest skin tones of all of the film stocks out there. When I’m shooting a wedding and I’m digging through my fridge for film to load my cameras with, if I have a Kodak Portra in there, I’m going for that first. It automatically adds professionality to my photographs and I can always count on it to accurately capture my clients.
It’s Super Sharp
I have to say, out of all of the film stocks I’ve ever tried, I do find Kodak (especially Kodak Portra) to be the sharpest of all of them. The grain is extremely fine for a 400 speed film. If you follow my work, you know I love to shoot with the Holga 120 toy camera pretty consistently, and Kodak Portra always surprises me with the crispness I can get out of my images. While Kodak Portra also comes in ISO 160 and ISO 800, I find the 400 ISO Portra to perfectly balance sharpness with low-light versatility. If I know it’s going to be a dark and overcast day or I’m going to be in shadows or inside while shooting, sometimes I’ll go for Kodak Portra 800. However, the 800 ISO version is even more expensive, so I find Portra 400 to really balance all my needs when shooting.
It’s Reliable and Versatile
I always know what I’m going to get with Kodak Portra 400. Sometimes, I’ll shoot with a roll that’s been in my fridge for years and it still looks like a brand new roll, with beautiful natural saturation and low grain. Sometimes I’ll only shoot half a roll at a wedding or event and end up shooting the rest of the roll at the beach or while traveling and Portra never falters. It’s also incredible for landscapes and nature. With a lot of film stocks, I’m unhappy with the way it captures greens, especially with grass or mountains, but Portra is always on point. Like I said, I’d shoot Portra every day if I could! Kodak Portra comes in both 35 mm and 120 formats, so just make sure you’re getting the right one for your camera.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So… is Kodak Portra 400 worth the price? Yes, in so many ways. And while it would be nice to have an endless stock of Kodak Portra on hand, it’s also fun to try out other films to keep things interesting. Overall though, this film probably takes the #1 spot in my book, of all of the films out there. I realize this is a pretty strong stance to take, but there aren’t really any other films out there that are as natural, consistent, versatile, sharp and balanced as Kodak Portra 400. Just try it out for yourself and see what you think! When I’m on a budget though, Lomography Color Negative 400 is usually my backup. While it’s a bit more saturated, the bright colors bring a fun positivity to my images. Kodak Gold 200 is next on my list. It has that sharpness that I love about Kodak films but it does have a bit of a gold tint to it, which is great for shooting at the beach, but not always what you might want with your photos. It’s extremely affordable though, which surprises me, honestly. I feel like Kodak could charge more for Kodak Gold 200, so make sure to grab some of it here before they change their minds!

I’ve included a ton of sample photos below using Kodak Portra 400 with my Contax 645 (a fancy camera) and my Holga (a not-so-fancy camera). While I love using Kodak Portra with my Holga, it’s also absolutely outstanding with my Contax 645. There’s really no other combo that I love more. My Contax 645 is incredibly sharp, and when pairing it with Kodak Portra 400, it’s really just a film photographer’s dream.

Read more about the Holga 120 Camera on my blog here!

WHERE TO BUY A CONTAX 645

KEH Camera (if you’re lucky, they’ll have one in stock!)

eBay

Read more about the Contax 645 on my blog here!

WHERE TO BUY FUJIFILM FUJICOLOR 200 35 MM FILM

1. FUJIFILM NEOPAN ACROS 100 II

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

120 film

2. ILFORD HP5 PLUS 400

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

120 film

3. KODAK TRI-X 400

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

120 film

4. LOMOGRAPHY EARL GREY 100

WHERE TO BUY

5. KENTMERE PAN 100

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

120 film

The Color & Skin Tones are Highly Accurate

It’s Super Sharp

It’s Reliable and Versatile

FINAL THOUGHTS

WHERE TO BUY KODAK PORTRA 400 35 MM FILM

KODAK PORTRA 400 120 FILM

WHERE TO BUY A HOLGA 120 GCFN

WHERE TO BUY A CONTAX 645