Best cheap 35mm colour film stock? (scanning oriented)

Bolal · Feb 22, 2018

Hi! Ever since I've got into film, I've been shooting Portra and Ektar and have not been blown away compared to the cheaper film stocks I've shot. I was thinking of trying my luck with some cheaper films, and I was wondering which cheap film stock you find to be the best. So far I have been considering Fujicolor C200, Kodak Gold, Superia and Agfa Vista. Any advice is welcome!

Edit: I am most likely going to be using this film for shooting beaches, sunny weather etc.

railwayman3 · Feb 22, 2018

I've used the C200 and the VistaPlus from time to time, and both are fine, perhaps a slightly softer look than the "more modern" films (I say that because both are rumored to be older formulations of emulsion), but good for general use. The VistaPlus seems more readily available in the UK....it was £1 per film for a long time from the "Poundland" stores, but sadly they no longer stock it !

blockend · Feb 22, 2018

If you mainly scan your colour film it doesn't matter too much what you use. Any differences in colour, contrast, sharpness, etc, can be included or removed in the edit. I have a few boxes of Fuji Pro400H and Ektar 100 in the freezer, but many more Agfa Vista, Fujicolor 200 (same thing) and Kodakolor, and the differences after a few tweaks are negligible. If you chromogenic (C-type) print, the differences are more obvious.

Arbitrarium · Feb 22, 2018

Likewise, I've used C200 and Agfa Vista a lot (apparently they're the same thing), as well as Kodak Colorplus. I simply chose them because they were cheapest. Now that I'm developing and scanning my own film, I'm less inclined to buy cheap film. Portra scans so, so, so nicely that cheap films just frustrate me. I save the cheap stuff for souping or putting through toy cameras.

C200 seems to favour colder colours, Kodak Colorplus favours warmer colours. So that might sway you toward one or the other. If you can find some old Ferrania Solaris, that stuff's super warm.

Wallendo · Feb 22, 2018

Outside of lomography films and redscale films, almost all bargain current color print films are high quality Kodak or Fuji products. There are differences between the two, but it really comes down to a point of personal preference. The films are cheap enough that you can pick up a few rolls of Fujicolor and Kodak Gold and compare them yourself.

Russ - SVP · Feb 22, 2018

Bolal said:
Hi! Ever since I've got into film, I've been shooting Portra and Ektar and have not been blown away compared to the cheaper film stocks I've shot. I was thinking of trying my luck with some cheaper films, and I was wondering which cheap film stock you find to be the best. So far I have been considering Fujicolor C200, Kodak Gold, Superia and Agfa Vista. Any advice is welcome!

Edit: I am most likely going to be using this film for shooting beaches, sunny weather etc.

The Portra 400 and Ektar blow away all others. But, Fuji Superia 400 is an excellent, general purpose film.

Ko.Fe. · Feb 22, 2018

For my color film photography I purchased couple of dozens Kodak UltraMax 400.

From most recent roll, developed, scanned at home:

I like it more than Kodak Gold 200. I never liked any Fuji color film and I see no reason to pay for much more expensive Kodak color films or else.
If I need correct colors, no grain and such, I have digital cameras for it. I just like color film to be different from it.
I'm not talking about lomography, but nothing fancy film developed by not expensive lab I have used for many years.

Paul Howell · Feb 22, 2018

I have always liked Kodacolor or Kodak Gold, not sure if 200 is still available. I think some old stock 100 can be found. What I see in most places is Fuji and Kodak 400.

Sirius Glass · Feb 22, 2018

I recommend trying the less expensive films on non critical subjects and then pick the ones that please you. It is all about what you like, not what others think or experienced. Some of the adventure is in experimenting.

Russ - SVP · Feb 22, 2018

Portra for the serious snaps. Superia 400 for casual snaps.

RattyMouse · Feb 22, 2018

AgfaPhoto Vista/C200.....much better colors, IMO, than Gold. Scans beautifully. Incredibly low cost.

Bolal · Feb 23, 2018

These are really beautiful shots, thank you everyone!

Russ - SVP · Feb 23, 2018

400UC film

Young He · Feb 23, 2018

Fuji C200 is ridiculously cheap, but it is subjectively worse than kodak gold 200. I like gold better tbh.

removed account4 · Feb 23, 2018

best cheap color film stock i use is short date or expired fuji superia200 or 400 used to get it locally for like 50¢/roll

Les Sarile · Feb 23, 2018

I tried a couple of boxes of Lomography 100 3 pack for $10.90.
I understand that results may vary roll to roll but of the 200+ frames I've gotten out it, seems pretty good.

Sirius Glass · Feb 23, 2018

Kiron Kid said:
View attachment 196018 400UC film

One of my favorite films. I keep a stash of 135 and 120 in the freezer.

Russ - SVP · Feb 23, 2018

Sirius Glass said:
One of my favorite films. I keep a stash of 135 and 120 in the freezer.

I really liked that film. Portra 400 is very good too.

Russ - SVP · Feb 23, 2018

Ektar 100. It has a different palette than the Portras.

Russ - SVP · Feb 23, 2018

Young He said:
Fuji C200 is ridiculously cheap, but it is subjectively worse than kodak gold 200. I like gold better tbh.

I haven’t tried Kodak Gold in decades. I remember not liking it. Very grainy for its speed.

jim10219 · Feb 23, 2018

Ektar is my favorite. Portra also gets a lot of use for its flexibility and color palette. But Fuji Superia 400 is probably my favorite general purpose film. It doesn’t do anything amazing, but it doesn’t do anything poorly. It’s got nice grain, a pleasing cool palette, and works in all but the most extreme circumstances. Plus, it’s cheap.

Russ - SVP · Feb 23, 2018

jim10219 said:
Ektar is my favorite. Portra also gets a lot of use for its flexibility and color palette. But Fuji Superia 400 is probably my favorite general purpose film. It doesn’t do anything amazing, but it doesn’t do anything poorly. It’s got nice grain, a pleasing cool palette, and works in all but the most extreme circumstances. Plus, it’s cheap.

I concur. Superia 400 is an excellent, general purpose film.

George Mann · Feb 24, 2018

ColorPlus is my favorite cheap film. It makes for good analog prints for those still interested in this craft, or you can have them printed courtesy of Blue Moon in Portland.

But it doesn't scan well if that is what you are looking to do with it.

Russ - SVP · Feb 24, 2018

George Mann said:
ColorPlus is my favorite cheap film. It makes for good analog prints for those still interested in this craft, or you can have them printed courtesy of Blue Moon in Portland.

But it doesn't scan well if that is what you are looking to do with it.

What is Color Plus? Are you near Blue Moon too?

Huss · Feb 25, 2018

Fuji C200:

Best cheap 35mm colour film stock? (scanning oriented)

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