(Leica M7) What’s your favorite color film?

Since I bought my Leica M7 a few months ago, I got obsessed with a film photography. So far my favorite color film is Kodak Portra 400 but I wanted to explorer more. The joy of film photography is if you use a new film, it produces a totally different photo from the same camera body.

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Before film count 0
Before film count 0

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I take great pleasure in film before the film count sets to zero. Since the film is exposed to the bright light, left side got red or yellow as if it was burned while right side looks normal.

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Leica M7, AGFA VISTA Plus 400 film
Leica M7, AGFA VISTA Plus 400 film

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AGFA VISTA film is inexpensive film yet it produces excellent image. However, like most other films, it shines better with natural light vs artificial light.

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Leica M7, Kodak EKTAR 100
Leica M7, Kodak EKTAR 100 film

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Kodak EKTAR 100 produces images like a color positive film. High contrast, sharp and colorful images are characteristics of EKTAR 100. Due to its high contrast, I don’t like to use it for portrait photos but for the landscape shoot, it’s the best option next to a color positive film (Slide film).

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Leica M7, Kodak Ultramax 400 film
Leica M7, Kodak Ultramax 400 film

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Leica M7, Kodak Ultramax 400 film

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Kodak Ultramax is also inexpensive film. This is more like a neutral film for me. If I need to take daily snap photos, Kodak Ultramax film would be my choice.

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Leica M7, Fujifilm Provia 100F

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If you need a sharp, high contrast image like digital, I recommend you to use a color positive (slide) film. Provia produces more bluish color than other films, so on a very clear day, if you shoot a landscape shot with blue sky, it makes a beautiful scene.

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L1030364
Leica M7 Film Camera

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What’s your favorite color film for a special occasion and daily snap photos? Are you ready to insert another film roll? 

3 comments

  1. I like different kinds of film for different occasions, but lean more towards Fujifilm and consumer film. Recently I’ve been shooting Fujicolor 200 and Kodak Gold 200 a lot, all landscape stuff. When I shoot color film at concerts it’s usually Cinestill 800T, and every now and then Superia 800. I am learning to appreciate slide film more, and while Provia 100F is good stuff I think I like Velvia 100 the best! Also if I need an all-purpose go-anywhere color film, it would be Fuji Superia 400.

    1. Thank you for your comment. I do agree that a slide film makes great photos. However at the same time, due to dynamic range limit, exposure gets tricky with a slide film. (On top of the fact that they are more expensive than the color negative. I haven’t used Fuji Superia 400 yet, I would definitely try it soon.

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