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The Best 35mm Films: According To You In 2024

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Updated: Jan 30


How is this 35mm film tier sitting with you? Totally right, or totally wrong?


Comprising of our sales data in 2024, we ranked all of the 35mm films we stock by popularity, based on their sales in 2024. Just as a disclaimer before we get into it, this tier system was in no way chosen by the FilmProcessing team or based on quality, but we thought it would be fun, and interesting to share!


It caused quite the stir on social media, but after all, the films have been chosen by you in 2024.


Film continues to be a popular medium in 2025, so let's have a closer look at the films that made it into the list.


Best 35mm Films Ranked By Popularity In 2024


God Tier


The leading 35mm film was Fujifilm 200 - loved for its affordability, whilst many might not consider this the best film due to its low ISO, you can't argue that the price point and film results are great for both entry level and professional shooters.


Film can be expensive, and some of the rankings on here definitely reflected that with some of the more affordable films hitting the higher tiers.


Kodak Portra 800 AND Portra 400 are both much beloved films, as they are great for low-light, winter and indoor shooting. @saltthedirector agreed with us on Instagram, "Portra 800 ftw".


Black and white film is generally the cheapest way to shoot film with prices starting from £5.50 a roll, plus, Ilford HP5 is a total classic.


  • Fujifilm 200: Beloved for its affordability and reliability, making it a go-to for beginners and professionals alike - take a look at our full review and film results of Fujifilm 200 on the blog.

  • Kodak Gold 200: A nostalgic staple that delivers vibrant colours, making it a strong contender for casual photography. Fujifilm 200 and Kodak Gold 200 are similar films, but for the purpose of this ranking, we have included all film sales.

  • Kodak Portra 800: A versatile choice, especially for low-light and winter photography. Perfect for achieving those warm, cinematic tones.

  • Ilford HP5 Plus: The classic black-and-white film with unmatched flexibility, ideal for various lighting conditions.




Top Tier


ColorPlus is another unsurprising entrant here, loved for its affordable price point for colour film.


Portra 400 and CineStill 800T are both exceptional films for entry level and professional shooters, offering adaptability to lighting conditions when needed.


  • Kodak ColorPlus: Budget-friendly and consistent, a favourite for everyday shooting.

  • Kodak Portra 400: Known for its fine grain, incredible dynamic range, and beautiful, natural skin tones, it’s a go-to for portrait, wedding, and travel photographers.

  • Kentmere 400: A strong choice for monochrome enthusiasts seeking contrast and sharpness. One of the cheapest films at only £5.50 a roll.

  • Cinestill 800T: Known for its tungsten balance and cinematic quality, a niche favourite for night photography.


Shot on Kodak ColorPlus
Shot on Kodak ColorPlus


Mid Tier


The mid-tier films in our 2024 sales data represent solid choices for enthusiasts and creatives experimenting with different styles, but they didn’t quite achieve the same popularity as the top contenders.


  • Kodak UltraMax 400: A balanced all-rounder that didn’t quite make the top, but still loved for its versatility.

  • Cinestill 400D: A newer contender, gaining traction with its unique colour palette.

  • Fujifilm 400: Reliable for general use but faced tough competition from more affordable Kodak alternatives.

  • Ilford FP4 Plus: A fine-grain option for traditional black-and-white photography.



Shot on Kodak Ultramax 400
Shot on Kodak Ultramax 400


Low Tier


When we shared this on social media, there was complete outrage about the low and bottom tier.


Deespite its infancy and variable feedback on the quality, Harman Phoenix was still fairly popular for a new film, suggesting that people still want to experiment and try new films. @levesque_media said, "Phoenix is soooo good, more people should try it!".


  • Kodak Ektar 100: Despite its vivid colors and sharpness, its lower ISO made it less appealing for general use.

  • Harman Phoenix: A budget colour option that attracted some users but struggled against established brands.

  • Kentmere 100: One of the cheapest rolls of black and white film at only £5.50 a pop.

  • Ilford Delta 400: Known for its fine grain, but perhaps overshadowed by HP5 Plus.


Shot on Kodak Ektar 100
Shot on Kodak Ektar 100


Bottom Tier


The bottom tier films in our 2024 sales data struggled to gain traction, often due to price point, more popular options or what had been trending online.


This was in no way an indicator of the quality of the film.


Here's what @jameswilted had to say about it; "Tri-x and xp2 have been done so dirty it’s not even funny". Whilst @kitzonaroll said, "colour 92 really does not even belong on the chart".


  • Ilford XP2 Super: A C-41 black-and-white film that didn’t resonate as much with our audience.

  • Fomapan 400: Budget-friendly but didn’t meet the expectations of many customers.

  • Lomochrome Color 92: Unique retro aesthetic with more of a niche appeal.

  • Kodak 400 Tri-X: Its limited versatility led to lower popularity compared to other Kodak films despite it being a much loved film by professional shooters.


Shot on Ilford XP2 Super
Shot on Ilford XP2 Super


So, there we have it, 2024 most popular films, as purchased by you. Head to our post on Instagram to see everyone's comments about the rankings. It's important to remember that film stocks are completely subjective, depending on the users needs and wants from the film.


Ready to influence the film tier for 2025? Let us know your thoughts on this list in the comments below!



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