Film and Chemistry
53 Articles on Emulsions, Chemicals, Labs, and Why We Love ’Em
Ilford HP5+ Film Review
A Standard of Versatility and Image Quality for Black and White Film
August 2, 2022
Ilford HP5+ is one of the best-known films ever made. Tested: its versatility, ease of use, and image quality, wrapped in the context of the 90-year history.— Dmitri.
Kodak Portra 160 Film Review
Accurate Colours for Portraits and Landscapes; Pastels for Fun
July 18, 2022
A film that can create beautiful images in various styles and settings but won’t tolerate messy exposures.— Dmitri.
Rollei Paul & Reinhold 100th Anniversary Film Review
An ISO 640 Black and White Film With a Lovely Contrast Curve
July 13, 2022
A very pretty film canister with a contrasty emulsion inside. Great for moody, high-contrast shots.— Dmitri.
Polaroid SX-70 Colour Film Review
The Only ISO 160 Colour Instant Film in Production
July 9, 2022
This is the only colour film for unmodified Polaroid SX-70 cameras. It’s tricky, but I love it.— Dmitri.
Agfa Vista 200 Film Review
The (Expired) Classic Colour Film of the 2010s
June 10, 2022
Agfa Vista films were my favourite choice for colour 35mm emulsions in the late 2010s — until they were unceremoniously discontinued in 2018.— Dmitri.
Adox Color Mission Film Review
Grainy Colour Magic
May 26, 2022
Adox Color Mission is a brand-new C-41 emulsion distributed by a prominent German film manufacturer. Characterized by chunky grain along with vivid yet well-balanced colour renditions. — Dmitri.
Fujifilm Neopan Acros Film Review
Almost Cancelled
May 18, 2022
Acros is a lovely medium-speed black and white emulsion. It features silky-smooth gradients with high-contrast shadows and expansive over-exposure latitude.— Dmitri.
Kodak Gold Film Review
Now Available in Medium Format!
May 2, 2022
Throughout its 36-year history, this film was marketed as a cheaper alternative to Kodak’s professional portfolio films. This review explains why.— Dmitri.
Kodak Ektar 100 Film Review
“World’s Finest Grain”
April 20, 2022
Kodak’s Ektar 100 is an exceptional emulsion. It stands apart from all other Kodak products in its colour rendition, dynamic range, and, of course, the grain.— Dmitri.
Ilford Ortho Plus 80 Film Review
A Black and White Film That Can’t “See” Reds
April 6, 2022
Ilford Ortho Plus 80 is an orthochromatic black and white film. It has recently become available in 35mm and medium format for still photography.— Dmitri.
JCH StreetPan 400 Film Review
A Punchy and Versatile Black and White Emulsion With IR Sensitivity
March 28, 2022
This film is a high-contrast, sharp, and fine-grained emulsion with a unique tonality. Made in Belgium, StreetPan is a former security camera technology brought to the world of analogue photography.— Dmitri.
Ilford XP2 Super 400 Film Review
A Black and White Film for C-41 Minilabs
March 13, 2022
Ilford XP2 Super 400 is a monochrome film like no other. If you fancy shooting black and white film but got no means to develop at home, this is the one to use.— Dmitri.
Ultra-Long Exposures With Solarcan
A Long-Term Review of a Readymade Solargraphy Film Camera
February 16, 2022
Solarcan is designed to take months- or years-long exposures on a rectangle of photosensitive paper through the science of lumen printing.— Dmitri.
Rebranded Film: Good or Bad?
🌈 7 Kinds of Film Labels + Their Role in the Analogue Photography Ecosystem
February 15, 2022
Knowing who makes your film can help you understand the business you’d be supporting, and whether you can find that film in a year — or if it’s likely a short-lived release.— Dmitri.
Fujichrome Provia 100F Film Review
Fujifilm’s Premium Reversal Stock of 20 Years and Counting
February 8, 2022
Fujifilm’s Fujichrome Provia 100F features accurate colour reproduction, ultra-fine grain, and a true-to-life contrast curve.— Dmitri.
29 Reasons Why Film Is Better Than Digital Photography
January 31, 2022
This list is a giant collection of excuses to shoot film.— Dmitri.
Konica Color VX400 Expired Film Review
Stark Colours, Sharp, Crunchy Grain
January 17, 2022
The history of Konica’s film manufacturing brand and a review of its ultra-sharp high-speed C-41 emulsion from the ‘90s.— Dmitri.
Kodak Ektachrome E100 Film Review
Back by Popular Demand
December 7, 2021
The 2018 return of Kodak’s Ektachrome E100 transformed modern film photography. At last, this easy-to-shoot, ultra-sharp film is available in stores again.— Dmitri
CineStill 50D Film Review
Cinema Colour in a Little Blue Box
November 5, 2021
A colour negative film full of character, 50D creates quality negatives and a unique colour palette at the cost of slow speed and some loss of detail.— Dmitri.
Kind of Blue
C-41 Blue Colour Casts and My Blue Moods
October 11, 2021
The blue flows from navy to aquamarine; it folds in with oranges, reds, and yellows. This blue is the “King of Blue.”— marina_guarreschi.
