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Reference
Film stocks.
Seven stocks I use regularly. Notes on grain, latitude, color rendering, and how they handle the Florida light specifically.
Notes
These are the films I actually use. Not a comprehensive survey of everything available. The notes on Florida are specific to shooting here -- the light is different from most of the world, and film responds to it differently than you might expect.
Florida light in summer is harsh, high-contrast, and comes from directly overhead for most of the day. Film with good latitude handles this better than film without it. In winter, the light is softer and more directional. Both seasons are worth shooting.
01 / Color negative
Kodak Portra 400
ISO
400
Grain
Fine
Latitude
Excellent (5+ stops)
In Florida
My default for Florida. Handles the harsh midday light well. The latitude lets you expose for shadows and let the highlights blow without losing the image.
The most forgiving film I've used. Expose at box speed or push to 800 in low light. Overexpose by a stop for richer color. I shoot more Portra 400 than everything else combined.
Color: Warm, slightly desaturated, skin tones excellent
Best for: Portraits, available light, general use
02 / Color negative
Kodak Portra 800
ISO
800
Grain
Medium
Latitude
Very good (4+ stops)
In Florida
Good for Florida evenings and indoor shooting. The grain is more visible than Portra 400 but not unpleasant. I use it when I need the speed and don't want to push 400.
Underrated. People reach for Cinestill 800T in low light, but Portra 800 is more versatile in daylight and handles mixed lighting better.
Color: Warm, slightly more saturated than 400, grain visible
Best for: Indoor, low light, evening
03 / Color negative
Fuji Pro 400H
ISO
400
Grain
Very fine
Latitude
Very good (4+ stops)
In Florida
Discontinued in 2021. I have a few rolls left in the freezer. The cooler rendering is a nice contrast to the warm Florida light. Good for overcast days at the coast.
Discontinued. Buy what you can find and freeze it. The rendering is distinctive and nothing current quite replaces it.
Color: Cool, slightly green, skin tones accurate
Best for: Portraits in shade, overcast light, wedding photography
04 / Black and white negative
Ilford HP5 Plus
ISO
400
Grain
Medium
Latitude
Excellent (6+ stops)
In Florida
My default black and white film in Florida. The latitude handles the extreme contrast between bright sky and dark shadow. Push to 1600 for indoor shooting.
The most versatile black and white film available. Develop in HC-110 dilution B for fine grain, in Rodinal 1:50 for more pronounced grain and contrast. Stand development works well.
Color: N/A -- black and white
Best for: General use, street, available light
05 / Black and white negative
Kodak Tri-X 400
ISO
400
Grain
Medium-coarse
Latitude
Good (4+ stops)
In Florida
Good for Florida street photography. The grain and contrast give the images a different character from HP5. I use it when I want a more graphic look.
The classic photojournalism film. More contrasty than HP5. Less forgiving of exposure errors. Develop in D-76 1:1 for standard results, in Rodinal 1:25 for maximum grain.
Color: N/A -- black and white
Best for: Street, documentary, high contrast
06 / Color negative (tungsten-balanced)
Cinestill 800T
ISO
800
Grain
Medium-coarse
Latitude
Fair (3 stops)
In Florida
I use this specifically for Florida at night. The halation around light sources is a feature, not a bug. The tungsten balance makes artificial light look natural. See my journal post on shooting Cinestill 800T in Florida.
Cinestill is motion picture film (Kodak Vision3 500T) with the remjet backing removed. The halation is real -- the remjet normally prevents it. Rate at 800 in tungsten light, 500 in daylight.
Color: Cool, tungsten-balanced, halation around light sources
Best for: Night photography, artificial light, neon signs
07 / Color negative
Kodak Gold 200
ISO
200
Grain
Medium
Latitude
Good (3+ stops)
In Florida
Underrated for Florida. At ISO 200 in bright Florida sun, you're shooting at f/8 to f/11 at 1/250 -- exactly where most lenses are sharpest. The warm, saturated rendering suits the Florida light.
The budget option that punches above its price. Not as fine-grained as Portra, not as forgiving, but the rendering is pleasant and the price is right. Good for casual shooting when you don't want to use expensive film.
Color: Warm, saturated, classic Kodak look
Best for: Outdoor, bright light, casual shooting
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