Exploring HARMAN Phoenix 200 Colour-Negative 35mm Film

Exploring HARMAN Phoenix 200 Colour-Negative 35mm Film

Released in late 2023, HARMAN Phoenix 200 was a first for HARMAN Photo, a brand primarily known for its black and white films made under the Ilford umbrella. Phoenix 200 is HARMAN’s first ever colour film, produced entirely in their Mobberley, UK plant. The film’s name, Phoenix, symbolises rebirth and transformation, hinting at a new creative direction for the company. Phoenix 200 has been marketed as limited edition, suggesting we will see different iterations and developments of this film stock.

This film is now available in both 35mm and 120 formats and has become known for its punchy colours, strong visible grain, and high contrast.

Why Film?
I have been shooting film for over 10 years, stemming from my Photography studies at college, and Fine Art degree at university. During my studies I mainly shot 35mm black and white film and developed it in the darkrooms provided. I preferred analogue photography over digital as I enjoyed being involved in my photograph’s creation process. Shooting film has always encouraged me to be more intentional with my photography. I like the tangible, tactile experience of using film.

Since graduating, I have continued to shoot film, experimenting with different stocks.

Shooting HARMAN Phoenix 200
I shot my first roll of HARMAN Phoenix 200 on my Contax G1 this spring. Before going out and shooting, I researched other people’s experiences using this film. I noted that it produced darker images than I typically prefer. To compensate, I decided to shoot the roll overexposed by one stop – a potential risk given that Phoenix 200 lacks an anti-halation layer. The lack of this layer on film can lead to blown-out highlights or halation, where light spreads, creating a glow or halo effect.

Despite these concerns, I felt confident shooting in stable daylight and focusing on closer shots. I wanted to see how this film would respond to subjects with vibrant colours and natural lighting.

The Results
The results from my first roll were high contrast, with warm tones, and grainy textures. The vibrant greens and reds created punchy images that highlighted the bold colour rendering of this film stock. However, as expected, the film’s high contrast can lead to a loss of detail.

My first shot of the roll has the first frame burn. The large light leak running down almost half the image was a welcome addition, adding brightness and bringing out more detail in the dog’s eye. This image is a good example of how high contrast this film is and the loss of detail it may cause. But the colours, contrast, and light leak all work together to form a fun and abstract photograph.

Interestingly, the halation effect on HARMAN Phoenix 200 is more subtle than other films like Cinestill 800T. While Cinestill’s halation creates a strong red glow, Phoenix 200 leans towards a warmer, less pronounced effect. In images where light is filtering through tree branches, you can see how easily details get lost in these glows, but it does give images a dreamy quality.

I would caution that Phoenix 200 may not be ideal for portraiture due to how the film picks up colours. This, combined with the high contrast and grain, could be harsh on skin tones, making them appear less natural. However, this is a creative film so most users will be experimenting for unique results.

Final Thoughts
From one roll of this film, I got my standard hit rate of around ten images I was happy with. While HARMAN Phoenix 200 may not be the most stable or predictable colour negative film on the market, it offers something truly different. Its nostalgic aesthetic, visible grain, and rich contrast give each image an undeniable film feel. This is a film for creatives – those would want unique results, to play with light, and embrace imperfections. If you are someone that enjoys the unexpected in your photography, HARMAN Phoenix 200 is a film stock worth adding to your rotation.

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