Harman Phoenix 200

When Harman Phoenix 200 was released on December 1st, 2023, I was chomping at the bit to throw it in my camera and go out and try one of the first new colour in a long time. Since its release, I have shot several rolls in both 35mm and 120, and have come to rather enjoy it's look and feel.

Phoenix 1 has a very reddy-orange cast to it, and lots of halation; which might not be to everyone's taste. Colour accuracy, while capable, isn't why I like to shoot this film. The dynamic range is not the greatest. Trying to shoot a dark subject at high noon, the image can end up both over- and under-exposed.

Knowing these limitations, you can get some pretty incredible images.

I adore the way snow is rendered on Phoenix. the soft orange glow brings warmth to a season that isn't really known for it. Phoenix also has a lot of grain for being a low ISO which brings out the little textures, reflections, and trails in snow. It is also an excellent autumn/fall film with the matching colour palette.

It is rated for 200ISO, but after seeing several reviews and my own trial and errors, I prefer to shoot Phoenix 1 at 125ISO, 2/3rds slower than box. I haven't had the best of luck shooting it with flash either, however I attribute that to my inexperience with flash photography as a whole.

Phoenix is no longer produced because Harman has made a second version called Phoenix II; so get it while you can, throw it in whatever camera you love to shoot, and take some cool pics!