Shooting during the Autumn on film isn't too dissimilar to the winter, lighting conditions are usually softer and more diffused, with overcast skies and shorter days. There's also those rare, but lovely, crisp and cold days that carry an intense sunlight with them. This can make adapting to the ever changing winter weather somewhat difficult.
The lower light levels can sometimes mean slower shutter speeds and wider apertures, so film stocks with a bit of extra sensitivity (400 ISO or higher) are especially handy for both seasons.
If you're shooting in the winter and looking for some inspiration, here are some of the best film stocks for winter photography that are great for adapting to the ever changing seasonal weather.
7 of The Best 35mm Film Stocks For Winter Photography
ISO 200
Best for sunnier days in the winter
We had to include one of the more budget friendly options for winter, this is a similar price point to Kodak Gold 200, which is another popular, and readily available 35mm film stock.
Kodak ColorPlus is rated at 200 ISO, so a perfect film choice for those crisper, sunnier days in the winter.
It gives a more accurate rendition of colours than Gold which gives pictures a warm, summery cast. When well exposed, it has very little grain visible.
ISO: 800
Perfect for low light and nighttime conditions
Cinestill 800T is a tungsten-balanced film stock that produces stunning results in low-light and nighttime conditions, making it a great choice for winter evenings.
It captures the warm glow of street lights and Christmas decorations beautifully while retaining detail in shadows.
Its characteristic halation effect around bright light sources adds a magical, cinematic touch to winter photos, perfect for cityscapes, Christmas markets and night photography.
ISO: 400
Versatile film stock for low light conditions and beyond
Kodak Portra 400 is known for its versatility and beautiful colour rendition, especially in low-light conditions, which is ideal for the shorter days of winter.
With its balanced colour palette and soft contrast, Portra 400 captures the subtle hues of snowy landscapes, pastel skies, and festive decorations perfectly.
It’s also highly flexible for both portraits and landscapes, delivering accurate skin tones and lovely detail even in dim lighting.
ISO: 100
Best for well-lit conditions
If you’re looking for vivid colours and fine detail, Kodak Ektar 100 is the perfect choice for winter shooting.
Although it’s a low ISO film (meaning it’s better for well-lit conditions), its bright, saturated colours can make winter scenes pop on sunnier days.
Ektar 100 is excellent for capturing the vibrant colours of Christmas markets, decorations, and daytime snow scenes with incredible sharpness and almost no grain.
ISO: 800
Use on overcast days or for indoor shooting
Portra 800 is an excellent choice for autumn and winter photography, especially when light levels are lower. It’s known for its fine grain and beautiful, natural colour rendering, even at higher speeds, which makes it versatile for capturing the warm hues of autumn leaves and the cool tones of winter landscapes.
The higher ISO is perfect for overcast days or shooting indoors, where lighting is dimmer.
Plus, Portra 800 has a lovely latitude, meaning it handles overexposure well—great for situations where the lighting can change suddenly, such as moving between shadowed forest scenes and open, sunlit fields in autumn.
ISO: 400
Versatile film for low light shooting
Instead of waiting for those brighter winter days to come, lean into the darkness with a black and white film stock, you won't regret it!
For classic black-and-white winter photography, Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is a versatile, medium-speed film that provides excellent results in low light.
It has a slightly higher contrast, which enhances the texture and detail in snowy or cloudy settings. This film is ideal for capturing the timeless feel of winter landscapes, street scenes, and moody, low-light shots.
7.Lomography Color Negative 800
ISO: 800
Use on overcast or low-light winter days
This high-speed colour film by Lomography is perfect for those low-light winter days.
Lomography Color Negative 800 has a warm, vibrant look with fine grain, making it excellent for moody winter afternoons or overcast days. Its forgiving nature allows for more flexibility in exposure, making it easy to capture winter landscapes or spontaneous shots in unpredictable lighting.
For those spontaneous shooting days or low light weekends away in the winter, these film stocks will help you to adapt to the changeable weather, capturing stunning shots that are telling of the season.
Do you have a favourite film for winter shooting? Let us know in the comments below!
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