Shorter days are here: two ideal film stocks for winter

Summer’s out, and winter’s upon us.

If you’re feeling that ideal shooting days are few and far between, don’t worry we’ve got a couple of film stock recommendations to see you through the bleaker winter months.

Kentmere 400

An all-rounder that punches above its weight, and is perhaps my favourite black and white film stock.

Kentmere was originally made in a small factory located in the Lake District, and was acquired by Harman Technology Ltd., who swiftly moved the production line to where Ilford film is manufactured (and to the same standards!).

Kentmere 400 is a cubic grain film with the same box speed as Ilford’s HP5, and generally speaking has a slightly coarser grain and increased contrast compared to HP5. It’s marketed as a ‘budget-friendly black and white film’, but it ain’t no slouch! It’s my go-to over the winter period because it’s cheap (£6) and it handles push-processing extremely well.

I often shoot it at ISO 1600, and occasionally 3200 with pleasing results.

Note: We accommodate push processing, just be sure to mark on your order form how many stops you’re wanting pushed!

*Kentmere 400 (3200 push) | Hasselblad X-pan | SP-3000 full sprocket scan*

Some people are put off from shooting higher ISOs during the day. Well, just stop your lens down to f11 from time to time. Not everything needs to be shot wide-open like a sub-par Netflix documentary!

*Kentmere 400 (1600 push) | Leica M6 + Nokton 35*

Lomography Color Negative 800

Reppin’ C-41 we have Lomography’s Color Negative 800.

Unfortunately, gone are the days of cheap 800 speed colour film, and while this can’t exactly be called a bargain with a straight face, at least it’s not quite Portra 800 prices. So there’s that.

We’ve re-introduced CN800 into the line up of stocks available from our fridge, and I hadn’t actually shot it before so I smashed a roll through my M6 on the commute to the lab. With minimal available light due to a thick fog, it was ideal conditions to try it out, really.

Being a 800 speed colour film made capturing these at suitable shutter speeds easy.

*Lomography Color Negative 800 | Leica M6 + Nokton 35 | Noritsu HS-1800*

*Lomography Color Negative 800 | Leica M6 + Nokton 35 | Frontier SP-500*

While my vast experience of CN800 clocks in at a grand total of one singular roll, the colours immediately feel in line with Gold/Ultramax.

As this is an 800 speed film I can only assume it’s the same Kodak stock used in their disposable cameras, which depending on where you look, is widely believed to be Gold 800…

I shot a few frames with a flash for good measure:

*Lomography Color Negative 800 | Leica M6 + Nokton 35 + KEKS KF01 Flash | Noritsu HS-1800*

*Lomography Color Negative 800 | Leica M6 + Nokton 35 + KEKS KF01 Flash | Frontier SP-500*

That’s about as much ground as I could cover with the one roll, but before I sign off Chris has dug a few of his CN800 photos which provide some further context of how the film handles lowlight and flash!

*Lomography Color Negative 800 | Canonet QL17 | Kodak Pakon*

Regardless of what the original stock is you’re in good hands, and considering how this turned out I reckon in a pinch it’d push a stop quite nicely!

That’s all for now, snow leopards! Here’s a convenient round-up of everything mentioned above, all available in our shop because capitalism comes for us all:

Kentmere 400 (BW)
Lomography Color Negative 800 (C-41)
KEKS KF01 (Flash)

PhotographyLee JonesNovember 12, 2026kentmere, ilford, harman, lomography, lomo, winter filmstock, winter, glasgow, scotland, gulabiComment