[y0chang]

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Wanted to get back into film photography and so I got some Kodak Gold and Color Plus to shoot. Any other recommendations for cheap 35mm film to practice with?

[aaacb]

I like color plus quite a bit, not just to practice with. You can also find superia 400 on sale every now and then, my local camera store sometimes has it down to $3 or so per roll. Not as cheap, but to mention something unique is low speed film, for me the ilford panf plus 50 was one of the most interesting, second only to slide film.

[disconnekt]

If you plan to shoot B&W, Kentmere 100 film is a good film to shoot.
If you plan to do bulk loading down the road, Ultrafine Extreme 100 is a good cheap film to get & shoot, and it's a bit cheaper to get it from them through their Amazon store than on their own site/ebay store:
amazon.com : Ultrafine Xtreme Black-and-White 35mm x 100 foot Film ISO 100 Roll : Photographic Film : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20&)

[Snapppy]

I like color plus quite a bit, not just to practice with. You can also find superia 400 on sale every now and then, my local camera store sometimes has it down to $3 or so per roll. Not as cheap, but to mention something unique is low speed film, for me the ilford panf plus 50 was one of the most interesting, second only to slide film.

I'll second the Superia 400. 400 instead of the 200 because for me it's more versatile, but if you know you are only shooting outdoors in daylight then 200 is the same price.

FUJIFILM Fujicolor Superia X-TRA 400 Color Negative 600018965

It's what I used for my first several rolls getting into film photography a few years back. Here's some pictures. I will warn you that the development/scans are pretty bad, so it may not be a good representation. I had these done by Walmart because I didn't know about mail in places, and they were the only people near to me that did it.

Otherwise, yeah, Kodak Gold is a good one.

[stevebrot]

Freestyle is as good a place to start as any.

Film | Freestyle Photographic Supplies

Note: Both Kentmere 100 and Arista EDU Ultra 100 are made by Foma and are the same as Fomapan 100. I believe the same is true for other speed ratings between the three two brands. (Set right by member disconnek.)


Steve

[cobbu2]

For color film, I order Kodak Color Plus 200 from *Bay sellers, but it takes a while as it comes from Asia. But I’ve never had any problems. For B&W, the Arista films from Freestyle, especially in bulk rolls would probably be the way to go.

[disconnekt]

Freestyle is as good a place to start as any.

Film | Freestyle Photographic Supplies

Note: Both Kentmere 100 and Arista EDU Ultra 100 are made by Foma and are the same as Fomapan 100. I believe the same is true for other speed ratings between the three brands.

Steve

Kentmere is made by Ilford, not Foma

[stevebrot]

Kentmere is made by Ilford, not Foma

My mistake. That serves me right for reading the endless speculations about who REALLY makes this film or that.


Steve

[disconnekt]

No worries, my head spins too on reading who makes what film for who and when the made it lol
*cue the song "You Spin Me Round" by Dead Or Alive*

[jarlaxle2k5]

I personally love the technicolor series

[ChrisPlatt]

IMO Kodak Ultramax 400 is the poor man's (or woman's) Portra.

Chris

[veato]

On Amazon (UK) I can get Ultramax around £5 a roll. That's what I'd be having a go with personally.

Stumbled across this too. Never seen it before and at £26 for 5 rolls (again, around £5 a roll is good value IMO) it might be worth a punt

Kodak Pro Image 100 Professional ISO 160, 35mm, 36: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

"Overall, Kodak Pro Image is a great choice if you want a pro film without the price tag. While Ektar might be sharper, and Portra more versatile. With good lighting conditions, Pro Image can more than hold its own."

[stevebrot]

Stumbled across this too. Never seen it before and at £26 for 5 rolls (again, around £5 a roll is good value IMO) it might be worth a punt

I came across this film recently as well, though with a description that indicated enhanced skin tones with general performance similar to Kodak Gold; that being a good thing since Gold 100 is no longer available.


Steve

[pres589]

Foma 400 Action is nice if you rate it at ISO 200 or 250. It doesn't seem to be a true 400 ISO film. It's okay there but the grain comes out.
Fuji Superia 400 is, I believe, better overall than Ultramax 400. Both are about as cheap as it gets for 400 ISO color film unless there's a random sale on something expired.
I've only shot one roll of it so far but I really like what I saw with Ultrafine Extreme 400 and want to really get to know that film. It reminds me a bit like Tri-X 400. Where that film is sourced from, what film it is similar to, etc is not at all clear.

[y0chang]

Thanks all for the good suggestions.