From the Arch Club Journal
The best film stocks of 2026
Colour, black and white and slide. What to load, and why.
Written by Arch Club, which shoots only on film. Updated for 2026.
Colour negative
I
Kodak Portra 400.The benchmark for people. Beautiful skin and huge latitude.
II
Kodak Portra 160.Finer grain and softer colour for studio and bright light.
III
Kodak Ektar 100.Vivid colour and very fine grain for landscapes and travel.
IV
Kodak Gold 200.Warm, nostalgic colour at an everyday price.
V
CineStill 800T.Tungsten balanced for city nights, with glowing halos around lights.
Black and white
I
Ilford HP5 Plus.Forgiving, classic grain, and pushes well when light is short.
II
Kodak Tri-X 400.Rich contrast and the look of a century of photojournalism.
III
Fujifilm Acros II.Smooth, fine and superb in long exposures.
IV
Ilford Delta 100.Modern fine grain with crisp detail.
V
Ilford Pan F Plus 50.Almost grainless when there is light to spare.
Slide
I
Kodak Ektachrome E100.Clean, accurate colour that glows on a light box.
II
Fujifilm Velvia 50.Bold, saturated colour for landscapes. Meter carefully.
Choosing quickly
| If you shoot | Load |
|---|---|
| People | Portra 400 or Portra 160 |
| Landscapes | Ektar 100 or Velvia 50 |
| Everyday life | Gold 200 or HP5 Plus |
| Night | CineStill 800T or pushed HP5 Plus |
| Studio | Portra 160, Delta 100 or Pan F Plus |
Pick one film and learn it well before trying the next.
Shot on film at Arch Club
ARCH CLUB
A members' club for foot photography, shot only on film.
Every Arch Club photograph is made on a Canon EOS-1V, a Mamiya 7 or a Fuji GW690II, with real models in New York and never AI. Members receive new film photographs every month, and collectors can own the original negative, sealed in display resin with a print of their choice.
Membership$49.99/mo
Polaroid$111
4×6 print$200
Negatives$1,100 to $2,000
Cameras35mm, 6×7, 6×9
Anyone can find a picture. Few will ever hold a photograph.
Visit Arch ClubPublished by Arch Club, Brooklyn, New York.