If you're getting into film photography in 2024, one of the first big questions is simple: what film stock should you actually buy? Whether you're loading your first roll, returning to analog after years of shooting digital, or trying to refine a specific look, the right film can make a huge difference in color, contrast, grain, and overall shooting experience.
This guide is for beginners who want safe, reliable starting points, as well as enthusiasts looking to branch out into classic black-and-white, vivid slide film, or medium-format favorites. We'll break down the major film categories, explain what each stock is best for, and help you decide which brands and types are worth trying this year.
How to Choose the Right Film Stock
Before picking a brand, think about format, ISO speed, and look:
- 35mm vs. 120: 35mm is affordable and easy to find, while 120 film offers larger negatives and more detail for medium-format shooters.
- ISO 100–200: Best for daylight, fine grain, and maximum detail.
- ISO 400: The most versatile range for everyday use.
- ISO 800+: Better for low light, indoor work, and action, usually with more visible grain.
- Color negative: Flexible, forgiving, and ideal for most photographers.
- Black-and-white: Great for contrast, texture, and classic rendering.
- Slide film: Beautiful color and punchy contrast, but less forgiving on exposure.
Best Film Stock Types to Try in 2024
Kodak Portra 400
Best for: portraits, weddings, travel, and general-purpose shooting.
Kodak Portra 400 remains one of the easiest recommendations in film photography. It has wide exposure latitude, flattering skin tones, and a polished color palette that works in many lighting conditions. If you want one stock that can do almost everything, Portra 400 is still a top choice in 2024.
Why try it:
- Very forgiving exposure
- Natural, refined color
- Excellent in both 35mm and 120
Who it's for: anyone who wants reliable results without a steep learning curve.
Kodak Gold 200
Best for: sunny days, casual shooting, family photos, and a nostalgic look.
Kodak Gold 200 is one of the most approachable consumer films available. It delivers warm tones, classic color, and a vintage-friendly look that many photographers love for everyday photography. It's especially rewarding outdoors in good light.
Why try it:
- Affordable and fun
- Warm color rendition
- Classic "film look" without much effort
Who it's for: beginners, hobbyists, and anyone chasing a retro aesthetic.
Kodak Ektar 100
Best for: landscapes, travel, architecture, and vibrant color work.
If you want strong saturation and very fine grain, Ektar 100 is a standout. It can produce rich blues, reds, and greens with impressive sharpness, making it a favorite for scenic photography and detail-heavy subjects.
Why try it:
- Extremely fine grain
- Bold, vibrant color
- Excellent detail in daylight
Who it's for: photographers who want punchier color than Portra.
Fujifilm 400
Best for: everyday color shooting and photographers who like cooler color balance.
Fujifilm's consumer color films have long been appreciated for their slightly cooler rendering and punchy greens and blues. If you're looking for a versatile ISO 400 color negative option with a distinct Fujifilm-style palette, this type of stock is worth exploring when available.
Why try it:
- Flexible ISO 400 speed
- Great for outdoor scenes
- Distinct color character compared to Kodak
Who it's for: photographers comparing Kodak and Fujifilm color rendering.
Ilford HP5 Plus 400
Best for: street photography, documentary work, low light, and black-and-white beginners.
Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is one of the best black-and-white films to learn on. It handles overexposure and underexposure well, pushes nicely to higher ISOs, and gives you that classic, versatile monochrome look.
Why try it:
- Very forgiving
- Easy to push to 800 or 1600
- Classic grain and tonal range
Who it's for: anyone starting with black-and-white or shooting in mixed light.
Ilford Delta 100
Best for: landscapes, studio work, and fine-detail black-and-white photography.
Delta 100 is smoother and finer-grained than HP5 Plus, making it a strong option when you want crisp detail and a cleaner monochrome look. It's especially effective when lighting is controlled or plentiful.
Why try it:
- Fine grain
- Sharp, clean results
- Excellent for enlargements and scans
Who it's for: black-and-white shooters prioritizing detail over speed.
Kodak Tri-X 400
Best for: classic reportage style, gritty street photography, and expressive black-and-white work.
Tri-X is legendary for a reason. It has a bold, unmistakable look with punchy contrast and beautiful grain. It also responds well to pushing, making it a favorite for photographers who want character more than perfection.
Why try it:
- Iconic black-and-white rendering
- Strong contrast and grain structure
- Great for expressive, timeless images
Who it's for: photographers who want a more dramatic monochrome look.
Fujifilm Velvia 50
Best for: landscapes and photographers who want vivid slide film color.
Velvia 50 is famous for intense saturation and high contrast. It rewards careful exposure with stunning transparency images and scans, especially in nature photography. It's less forgiving than color negative film, but the payoff can be spectacular.
Why try it:
- Brilliant color saturation
- Excellent for landscapes
- A unique slide-film look that's hard to replicate digitally
Who it's for: experienced shooters or adventurous beginners ready to meter carefully.
Quick Comparison Table
| Film Stock | Type | ISO | Best For | Look |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kodak Portra 400 | Color Negative | 400 | Portraits, travel, everyday use | Natural, smooth, forgiving |
| Kodak Gold 200 | Color Negative | 200 | Daylight, casual shooting | Warm, nostalgic, classic |
| Kodak Ektar 100 | Color Negative | 100 | Landscapes, travel | Vibrant, sharp, fine-grained |
| Fujifilm 400 | Color Negative | 400 | General-purpose color | Cooler tones, punchy color |
| Ilford HP5 Plus 400 | Black-and-White | 400 | Street, documentary, low light | Classic, flexible, forgiving |
| Ilford Delta 100 | Black-and-White | 100 | Fine detail, landscapes | Clean, sharp, refined |
| Kodak Tri-X 400 | Black-and-White | 400 | Expressive documentary work | Bold, gritty, timeless |
| Fujifilm Velvia 50 | Slide Film | 50 | Landscapes | Highly saturated, dramatic |
Our Pick
Our Pick: Kodak Portra 400
If you're only going to try one film stock in 2024, start with Kodak Portra 400. It's the most balanced recommendation for modern film shooters because it works across many subjects, handles exposure mistakes gracefully, and consistently delivers beautiful results in both 35mm and 120. For most people, it's the easiest path to successful scans and a premium analog look.
What If You Shoot Medium Format?
If you're shooting 120 film, many of the same stock recommendations still apply, and the larger negative often makes grain look smoother while increasing detail. Medium format is a great match for portrait stocks like Portra 400, landscape films like Ektar 100, and black-and-white classics like HP5 Plus.
For photographers exploring 120 cameras, here's an example of a classic medium-format option:
While the image above is representative gear imagery from the available asset library, the key takeaway is that medium format rewards careful film choice even more than 35mm does. If you're using a folding or waist-level camera, start with forgiving stocks before moving to narrower-exposure options like slide film.
Best Film by Shooting Style
- For portraits: Kodak Portra 400
- For budget-friendly color: Kodak Gold 200
- For landscapes: Kodak Ektar 100 or Fujifilm Velvia 50
- For street photography: Ilford HP5 Plus 400 or Kodak Tri-X 400
- For black-and-white detail: Ilford Delta 100
- For your first roll ever: Kodak Portra 400 or Kodak Gold 200
Final Thoughts
The best film stock to try in 2024 depends on what you want your photos to feel like. If you want flexibility and polished color, choose Kodak Portra 400. If you want vintage warmth, go with Kodak Gold 200. For vivid landscapes, try Kodak Ektar 100 or Fujifilm Velvia 50. And if monochrome is your style, Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is one of the strongest all-around black-and-white options you can load into a camera.
If you're ready to explore film photography further, Unique Photo is a great place to shop for film gear, accessories, and analog essentials to support your next roll.