Compare film stocks before you load the roll
Side-by-side specs, grain, color rendition, and real sample images across lighting conditions. Pick the right stock for your next shoot.
Your Comparison
Click film stocks above to add them to your comparison. Select up to 4 at once.
Sample Images by Lighting
Sample Image Guide
Every sample image in this comparison was shot on the same camera body with the same lens, then scanned on a Noritsu LS-600 at default settings. This keeps the comparison fair. Your results will vary based on your gear, scanner, and processing choices.
Golden Hour
Warm, directional light 1 hour before sunset. Shows how skin tones render and how highlights roll off.
Overcast
Soft, even light under cloud cover. Reveals true color saturation and shadow detail.
Indoor Tungsten
Warm household bulbs at 3200K. Tests how each stock handles orange color casts without correction.
Flash
Direct on-camera flash. Shows grain structure and highlight handling under harsh, flat light.
How to Use This Reference
Pick your stocks
Click any film card to add it to the comparison panel below. You can select up to four stocks at once. The comparison table updates in real time with specs, ratings, and best-use scenarios.
Filter by what matters
Use the format and type filters to narrow the list. Try the scenario presets to auto-filter stocks that match your shooting situation. Portrait mode highlights stocks with fine grain and natural skin tones. Low light mode shows stocks rated at ISO 800 and above.
Check the samples
Once you have stocks selected, scroll to the sample images. Switch between lighting conditions to see how each stock behaves. Golden hour shows warmth and highlight rolloff. Overcast reveals true saturation. Tungsten tests color correction needs.
Save and share
Your selected stocks save automatically in your browser. Use the share button to copy a link that opens the same comparison. Bookmark it or send it to a friend who asks what film to buy.
Common Mistakes
- Overexposing negative film on purpose. Negative film handles overexposure well, but 5 stops over is not the same as 1 stop over. You lose color accuracy and shadow detail. Expose for the shadows when in doubt.
- Ignoring the scanner. The scanner changes the final image as much as the film does. A cheap flatbed scan of Portra 400 looks worse than a lab scan of Ultramax 400. Budget for good scans.
- Choosing by ISO alone. ISO tells you speed, not character. HP5 Plus 400 and T-Max 400 are both ISO 400 black and white films, but they look completely different. Check the grain and contrast ratings.
Pushing and Pulling
Most color negative films handle +1 to +2 stops of push processing with minimal quality loss. Black and white films are more flexible. Slide film should almost always be shot at box speed. Each stock in the comparison lists its push range. Pushing increases grain and contrast. Pulling reduces both. If you underexpose a negative film and push it in development, expect more grain and shifted colors.
What We Rate and Why
Grain is rated on a 1 to 5 scale at 8x10 enlargement. Color rendition describes the overall palette: warm, neutral, cool, or saturated. Exposure latitude measures how many stops of overexposure or underexposure the stock handles before image quality drops noticeably. Best-use scenarios come from community consensus and manufacturer recommendations.
Quick Reference Card
Print this and keep it in your camera bag.
| Stock | ISO | Type | Grain | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kodak Portra 400 | 400 | Color Neg | Fine | Portraits, weddings |
| Kodak Gold 200 | 200 | Color Neg | Medium | Everyday, travel |
| Fujifilm Pro 400H | 400 | Color Neg | Fine | Portraits, soft tones |
| Ilford HP5 Plus | 400 | B&W | Medium | Street, documentary |
| Kodak Tri-X 400 | 400 | B&W | Pronounced | Classic look, grit |
| CineStill 800T | 800 | Color Neg | Medium | Low light, tungsten |
| Kodak Ektar 100 | 100 | Color Neg | Very Fine | Landscape, nature |
| Fujichrome Velvia 50 | 50 | Slide | Very Fine | Landscape, vivid color |