The Best Film Stocks for Beginners: What to Buy First

So, you’ve got your first film camera and now you're staring at a wall of film stocks wondering… which one should you buy?

In this post, I’ll walk you through three key things to look for when choosing your first roll of film and share some of the best beginner-friendly film stocks, both color and black & white, to help you start shooting with confidence.

What to Look for When Buying Film

1. ISO & Light Sensitivity
ISO tells you how sensitive your film is to light.

  • Lower ISO (100–200): Best for sunny days and well-lit scenes. These films typically have finer grain and more detail.

  • Higher ISO (400+): More versatile and forgiving, especially in cloudy or indoor settings.

Beginner tip: Stick with ISO 400 for the most flexibility while learning.

2. Color vs. Black & White

  • Color film has that nostalgic look and works well for travel, family moments, or everyday scenes.

  • Black & white film is usually cheaper to develop and more forgiving. It’s also a great way to understand light and composition.

Beginner tip: Try both to see which you enjoy more!

3. Price & Availability
Film can be expensive, and some stocks are tricky to find. Look for something that’s affordable and in stock so you can practice without stressing about cost. Also, look into development and scanning costs in your area to help determine what’s best for you.

Best Beginner-Friendly Color Film Stocks

Kodak Gold 200

Warm and nostalgic with fine grain. Great for bright, sunny days and casual everyday photos.



Kodak Ultramax 400


A super versatile film that handles a variety of lighting conditions. Colors are rich and vibrant, perfect for travel, portraits, or spontaneous shoots.



Kodak ColorPlus 200


More budget-friendly with a softer, slightly vintage look. Works best outdoors and gives a mellow color palette.





Fujifilm C200


Cooler tones and punchy greens make this great for landscapes and nature photography. A solid alternative to Kodak’s warmer tones.





Beginner-Friendly Black & White Film Stocks

Ilford HP5 400


The classic beginner B&W film. Forgiving with exposure, sharp, and perfect for street photography, portraits, or learning the ropes.





Kodak Double-X (5222)


Originally a motion picture film used in Hollywood classics, it has beautiful contrast, deep blacks, and cinematic tones. ISO 250 (daylight), ISO 200 (tungsten).





Kentmere 400


A budget-friendly option with a bit more grain. Great for practice and experimentation without breaking the bank.


Final Thoughts

Don’t overthink it—just pick a film and start shooting! The key is to experiment, make mistakes, and figure out what look you love.

Start with an ISO 400 film like Ultramax or HP5, shoot both color and B&W, and enjoy the process. You’ll learn fast and have a blast along the way.

Which Film Will You Try First?

Have you tried any of these? Got a favorite beginner film stock that I missed? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And if you found this post helpful, feel free to share it or follow for more beginner tips, film stock breakdowns, and camera guides.

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