ISO chart
The single most important factor to consider when choosing film is its speed, or ISO. It will influence the amount of light required and the harshness of the grain. The following scale orders the available films by that speed.
Film stocks
The following paragraphs detail film specificities along with a thumbnail. All the sample images were cropped out of images of similar resolution with the same scanner.
Color films
Kodak Vision 50D
Professional film used in movie productions. Very slow and highly detailed, the film can be used to completely remove grain on a film shot. Requires special processing from Kodak that can be very slow.
See shots with this filmCineStill 50D
Kodak Vision 50D with a layer removed on the film, allowing for easier processing at the cost of handling light differently. It can create halos around light sources.
See shots with this filmKodak Ektar 100
High-quality color film, with high color saturation. Perfect for colorful scene rendition with low-grain.
See shots with this filmKodak Portra 160
The slowest of the portra films. The emulsion is particularily adept at rendering skin tones with minimal grain.
See shots with this filmFujifilm Fujicolor 200
Cheap Fujifilm emulsion. Some colors pop out better than others, but the price reflects in the amount of grain present.
See shots with this filmKodak Color Plus 200
Cheap Kodak emulsion. High level of grain for the film quality, but the color shift can be very aesthetically pleasing.
See shots with this filmKodak Vision 250D
Professional film used in movie productions. Average speed and level of detail, while giving a very accurate color rendition. Requires special processing from Kodak that can be very slow.
See shots with this filmKodak Portra 400
Intermediate portra color film, with faster speed and heavier grain.
See shots with this filmFujifilm Superia 400
Cheap color film from Fujifilm. This film's color shift is unique and shines at golden hour. Great value for its price.
See shots with this filmKodak Portra 800
Fastest portra color film. The color chemistry shines here as well while allowing dynamic photography.
See shots with this filmCineStill 800T
Kodak Vision 500T with a layer of film removed. This tungsten film is excellent at night or in low light and the removed layer does not stop neon light from propagating, engulfing them in a halo.
See shots with this filmBlack & White films
Fujifilm Acros II 100
This professional BW film has some of the finest grain available in monochrome. It takes light like a champ as well.
See shots with this filmJCH StreetPan 400
A new emulsion on the market, this high contrast black and white film wants itself to be ubiquitous when shooting in the city, but it also excels at more artistic shoots.
See shots with this filmIlford Delta 3200
One of the fastest available films. At the cost of heavy grain, this film shoots perfectly in low-light conditions, parties or at night.
See shots with this film