One of the most common questions we get in-store is simple:

“What film should I shoot?”

And honestly, it’s a fair question.

There’s a lot of film out there now. Different colours. Different ISO ratings. Different looks. Different opinions online telling you what’s “best”.

The truth is:
There isn’t one perfect film stock.

There’s just the right film for how you shoot.

Some people want sharp and clean.
Some want grain.
Some want colours that feel nostalgic.
Some want their photos to look like they came straight out of a 1997 family album.

That’s the fun of film.

So instead of overcomplicating it, here’s a simple breakdown of some of the most popular 35mm film stocks and what they’re actually good for.

Kodak Gold 200

Best for:
Daylight, holidays, everyday shooting, beginners.

Kodak Gold is probably one of the easiest films to recommend if you’re starting out.

Warm tones.
Classic colour.
Slight grain.
Very forgiving.

It has that “old family photo” feeling people usually associate with film photography.

If you’re shooting outside during the day and want something simple that still feels genuinely analogue, Gold is hard to beat.

Great for:

  • Street photography
  • Travel
  • Friends
  • Beach days
  • Casual everyday shooting

Kodak Ultramax 400

Best for:
Mixed lighting and all-round use.

Ultramax is a great middle ground film.

Because it’s ISO 400, it handles lower light a bit better than Gold while still keeping that classic Kodak warmth.

It’s one of those films that works for almost anything:
Sunny days.
Cloudy afternoons.
Indoor shots near windows.
Night shots with flash.

If you only want to carry one roll around, this is usually a safe option.

Kodak Portra 400

Best for:
Portraits, softer colours, professional-looking scans.

Portra has become incredibly popular for a reason.

The colours are softer.
Skin tones look great.
Highlights roll off nicely.
It handles overexposure beautifully.

A lot of modern film photographers shoot Portra because it feels refined without losing the analogue character.

It’s especially good if:

  • You like softer colours
  • You shoot people often
  • You want cleaner scans
  • You’re chasing a more cinematic look

Cinestill 800T

Best for:
Night photography and cinematic lighting.

Cinestill 800T is based on motion picture film, so it behaves very differently to traditional colour negative film.

It’s balanced for tungsten light, which means:

  • Neon signs look incredible
  • Night scenes glow
  • Street lights feel cinematic

You’ll also notice halation around bright light sources — that soft glowing effect people either love or hate.

It’s not always the easiest beginner film.
But it’s definitely one of the most unique.

Ilford HP5 Plus 400

Best for:
Black and white photography.

If you want to try black and white film properly, HP5 is one of the best places to start.

It’s forgiving.
It has beautiful grain.
It handles different lighting conditions really well.

Black and white film also teaches you to think differently about light, contrast, shape, and composition.

A lot of photographers end up learning more from one roll of black and white than ten rolls of colour.

So… Which Film Should You Start With?

Honestly?

If it’s your first roll:
Start simple.

We usually recommend:

  • Kodak Gold 200 if you mainly shoot outdoors
  • Kodak Ultramax 400 if you want flexibility
  • HP5 if you want to learn black and white

The biggest mistake people make is overthinking film before they even start shooting.

Film is supposed to be fun.

You’ll learn more by shooting one roll than by watching ten YouTube reviews.

And if you’re still unsure, bring your camera into the shop.
We’ll point you in the right direction.

That’s what we’re here for.