7 of The Best 35mm Film Stocks For Night Photography

Shot on Kodak Portra 800

Shooting film at night can be both challenging and rewarding. The low light pushes your camera and your chosen film stock to its limits, but when you get it right, the results can be breathtaking.

It's an opportunity for quieter scenes, capturing fun neon lighting and glowing city lights. But of course, during the darker seasonal months, getting out and shooting in daylight becomes that bit harder too, and picking the right 35mm film makes all the difference.

In this guide, we’ll explore seven of the best film stocks for night photography and what makes each one shine after dark.

7 of The Best 35mm Film Stocks For Night Photography

1.CineStill 800T

Designed with tungsten lighting in mind, CineStill 800T excels under artificial light sources.

It captures neon, fluorescent, and streetlights with a cinematic glow, while controlling colour casts better than most daylight-balanced films.

Expect halation effects around bright highlights, which many photographers embrace as part of its unique look.

2.Ilford Delta 3200 (Black & White)

It may feel counterintuative, but shooting black and white at night time can create unparalleled results.

If you’re after a moody, classic black-and-white night shot, Ilford Delta 3200 is unmatched.

Despite the name, its true speed is closer to ISO 1000, but it pushes beautifully up to 3200 and beyond. The grain is prominent but adds a raw, atmospheric quality that works perfectly for low-light street photography. Don't forget you can push your black and white films with us when sending them for processing, just leave us a note when placing your order!

We love this snap below by our talented lab tech, Arran at a night time gig. Whilst it's shot inside, you can see how it performs in very low level lighting.

3.Kodak Portra 800

Portra 800 is a go-to for many night photographers thanks to its high ISO and beautifully natural colour rendering.

It handles mixed lighting well, from neon signs to street lamps, and produces a fine grain for its speed. Its wide exposure latitude also means you can push it further if you’re working in very dark conditions.

I used this myself on a trip to Miami, capturing the neon lights on Ocean Drive. I loved its adaptability from day time to night time and the gorgeous, vintage style glow it created from the neon lights. Of course, when using this film, you do need to shoot with some kind of light in the frame to make the most out of the film stock.

4.CineStill 400D (Pushed to 800/1600)

CineStill’s 400D is daylight-balanced but pushes very well, making it a versatile option for night work.

Pushed to ISO 800 or even 1600, it handles mixed lighting conditions with surprising grace.

Expect punchy colours and the signature CineStill halation when strong light sources are in frame.

5.Lomography Colour Negative 800

Another favourite is the Lomography Colour Negative 800 which is made for low light conditions.

It is a flexible and fun choice for night shoots. It balances bold, saturated colours with a slightly grainier look than Portra, giving images a more playful, experimental vibe. Its forgiving exposure latitude makes it easy to shoot handheld under streetlights or in mixed lighting without losing too much detail.

If you like a punchier, less “polished” aesthetic for your night shots, this film stock delivers.

6.CineStill BwXX Black and White

CineStill BwXX is based on the classic Eastman Double-X motion picture film, a stock used in countless Hollywood productions.

Rated at ISO 250 in daylight and ISO 200 under tungsten light, it can be pushed up to EI 1600, making it an excellent choice for low-light and night shooting.

Its fine grain, wide tonal range, and striking contrast give images a timeless cinematic look, perfect for dramatic black-and-white night photography.

7.Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 800

Although harder to find these days, Superia X-TRA 800 is still a favourite for its rich colours and good shadow detail.

It performs well under artificial light, giving you saturated tones and a classic film look. If you come across a roll, it’s worth saving for night shoots.

Image credit: Wikipedia

Shooting film at night is never without challenges, but the right stock can make it a rewarding experience. Whether you lean toward the clean colours of Kodak Portra 800, the cinematic glow of CineStill 800T, or the timeless grit of Ilford Delta 3200, each of these films brings something unique to after-dark photography.

Experimenting with pushing, pulling, and embracing grain will help you find your own night photography style, and maybe even make you fall in love with the magic of shooting film when the sun goes down.