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February 14, 2026

Our 5 Favorite Film Stocks

In an era where everyone is trying to "preset" their way to a film look, there is no substitute for the real thing. There's a way that light reacts to a physical process that digital sensors can only approximate. Whether you’re shooting a high-end wedding or a personal editorial, these five stocks are the bedrock of the film resurgence.

1. Kodak Portra 400: The Industry Standard

If you had to choose one roll to live in your camera bag forever, this is it. Portra 400 is the gold standard for a reason: it is the most versatile film ever made.

  • The Vibe: Warm, creamy, and undeniably "expensive."
  • Why Pros Love It: It has legendary exposure latitude. You can overexpose it by two or even three stops, and it won't break; it just gets dreamier and more pastel.
  • The Skin Tone Factor: It handles every skin tone with a soft, peach-hued glow that makes it the go-to for wedding and fashion pros.

2. Kodak Portra 160: The Fine-Art Specialist

When the light is abundant and you want the cleanest possible image, you reach for 160.

  • The Vibe: Sharp, smooth, and elevated.
  • Why Pros Love It: It has even finer grain than Portra 400. In medium format (120), it can almost look digital until you see the way the highlights roll off.
  • Best Use Case: High-noon sessions or bright, outdoor ceremonies where you want to retain every detail of the lace, the skin texture, and the environment without the "crunch" of heavy grain.

3. Kodak Portra 800: The Low-Light Secret Weapon

Don't let the higher ISO scare you. Portra 800 is a masterpiece of chemistry, offering high speed without the muddy shadows common in consumer films.

  • The Vibe: Saturated, punchy, and atmospheric.
  • Why Pros Love It: It has more "pop" and saturation than Portra 400. It’s perfect for the blue hour, indoor receptions, or those moody, candlelit portraits.
  • The Pro Tip: It pushes beautifully to ISO 1600. If you’re losing the light, ask your lab to "push +1" for a gritty, high-contrast editorial look.

4. Kodak Gold 200: The Nostalgic Underdog

Once considered a "budget" consumer film, Gold 200 has made a massive comeback in professional circles. Now available in 120 format, it provides that warm toned nostalgic vibe.

  • The Vibe: Retro, golden, and sun-drenched.
  • Why Pros Love It: It loves the sun. It renders blues and yellows with a vintage, 90s-summer feel that Portra (which is more neutral) doesn't quite hit.
  • Best Use Case: Beach sessions, desert elopements, or any shoot where you want the photos to feel like a "memory" rather than a "document."

5. Kodak Tri-X 400 (The B&W Classic)

A pro kit isn't complete without a dedicated black and white stock. While Ilford HP5 is a great contender, Tri-X is the soul of photojournalism.

  • The Vibe: Gritty, high-contrast, and timeless.
  • Why Pros Love It: It has "bite." The grain is distinct and beautiful, and the blacks are deep and rich. It’s the film of Cartier-Bresson and the legends of street photography.
  • Best Use Case: The "messy" moments, the dance floor, the quiet preparations, or high-contrast street portraits. It strips away the distraction of color and forces the viewer to look at the emotion.

Final Thoughts for the Hybrid Pro

Try out these different films and you'll be in awe of the tones that'll come out of the files. And by keeping these five stocks in your rotation, you can offer your clients a tiered experience. The speed and safety of digital, combined with the irreplaceable soul of the right roll of film.

What’s Next for Your Business?

-Check out our other guides to level up your photography workflow:

Images by Tyler Branch