In the age of digital photography, it can be easy to forget that film photography still exists. While black and white film remains popular with enthusiasts, colour film may seem like a relic of the past. However, colour 35mm film is still being produced today by major manufacturers like Kodak, Fuji, and Lomography. So the short answer is yes, you can still get colour 35mm film, both new and expired. Let’s take a closer look at the world of colour 35mm film in 2023.
New Colour 35mm Film
Kodak and Fuji are the two biggest players when it comes to new colour 35mm film. Kodak offers several colour negative films like Ektar 100, Gold 200, and Ultramax 400. They provide rich, vibrant colours perfect for landscape shots or everyday snaps. Fuji’s colour negative films like Superia 400 and Pro 400H have a more muted, natural look well-suited to portraiture. Lomography also produces creative colour films like Lomochrome Purple for those looking for experimental effects.
| Brand | Film Type | ISO | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kodak | Ektar 100 | 100 | Fine grain, highly saturated colours |
| Fuji | Superia 400 | 400 | Neutral colour balance |
| Lomography | Lomochrome Purple | 100 | Shifts colours towards purple |
While you can still find these new colour films at specialty camera shops, availability can be sporadic as demand has declined in the digital age. Ordering online directly from the manufacturer is the best way to guarantee you can get the film you want.
Expired Colour 35mm Film
Once colour film passes its expiration date, it’s no longer guaranteed to produce accurate colours or proper exposure. For most people, expired film would be useless. But for experimental photographers, expired film can create unique, unpredictable effects that aren’t possible with new film or digital cameras. With expired film, you never know what you’re going to get when the roll comes back from development.
Expired colour 35mm film can display severe colour shifts, increased grain, and altered saturation levels. Reds may turn pink or shift towards orange. Greens can become oversaturated or fade towards blue. It takes trial and error to figure out how each batch of expired film will turn out, which is part of the fun.
The best places to find expired colour 35mm film are eBay, garage sales, thrift stores, and antique shops. Expired film may also be available from specialty photo stores looking to clear out old stock. Expect to pay $5-10 for a roll, depending on its age and original retail price.
Shooting with Colour 35mm Film Today
Shooting colour 35mm film requires a film camera, which you can find at thrift stores, garage sales, and online auction sites. Simple point-and-shoot 35mm cameras are plentiful and give you access to automatic exposure modes. More advanced SLR cameras allow manual controls for shutter speed, aperture, and focus.
Once you’ve got a film camera, load it up with your film of choice and start shooting! Remember that with 35mm film, you only get 24-36 exposures per roll. So make them count. Follow proper film handling procedures like avoiding x-rays and extreme heat to get clean, usable results.
When you’ve finished the roll, you’ll need to get it processed and printed. Local labs are harder to find these days, but mail-order labs like Dwayne’s Photo offer processing and scanning services to turn your film into digital images. Expect processing costs of $10-15 per roll depending on services.
Creative Uses for Colour 35mm Film
Colour 35mm film opens up creative possibilities that just aren’t possible with modern digital cameras. Here are some creative techniques to try:
- Double exposures – Intentionally expose a single frame twice to blend two images.
- Light painting – Use long exposures with moving light sources to create colourful light trails.
- Multiple exposure – Advance the film manually for creative effects.
- Expired film – Embrace the unpredictable with expired colour films.
Combining these techniques with the vivid hues of slide film or the muted tones of colour negative film can produce one-of-a-kind photographic art.
Pros and Cons of Shooting Colour 35mm Film
Shooting with colour 35mm film in the digital age has both advantages and disadvantages to consider:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Vintage look | Costlier than digital |
| Creative options like double exposures | Limited exposures per roll |
| Wide variety of colour films | Processing wait times |
| Cameras and film still available | Results not instant like digital |
For photographers looking for a unique challenge or nostalgic experience, the pros often outweigh the cons when shooting with colour 35mm film today.
The Lifespan of Undeveloped Colour Film
How long does unshot colour 35mm film last if properly stored? Fresh colour film generally lasts up to two years past its expiration date when refrigerated below 20°F (-7°C). After that, colour shifts, contrast changes, and increased fog can occur.
Expired film that has already been stored at room temperature has a shorter lifespans. Kodak estimates its colour films will last up to one year past expiration if kept below 70°F (21°C). Higher heat and humidity will accelerate changes.
Freezing unshot film helps extend its usable lifespan. Stored at 0°F (-18°C), expired colour film can sometimes be shot with usable results up to 10 years past its expiration date.
It’s impossible to predict exactly how expired colour film will turn out. Testing old film first before an important shoot helps evaluate potential colour shifts or fogging.
Colour 35mm Film in the Digital Age
While digital cameras now dominate photography, shooting on colour 35mm film can be a rewarding experience that produces unique results. The colours and character of films from Kodak, Fuji, and others can’t be perfectly replicated, even with photo editing software.
Expired colour film adds even more unpredictability and creative options for experimental photographers. And vintage film cameras are abundant and affordable. So with some persistence and experimentation, you can still shoot with colour 35mm film in 2023.
Film labs may be harder to find, but mail-order processing availability from specialty labs helps keep film photography accessible. Shooting film forces you to slow down and be more deliberate with exposures. And waiting to see those colour slides or negatives helps build anticipation.
While it may seem like an antiquated process, shooting colour 35mm film still offers creative satisfaction for photographers looking to create images that stand out from our digitally dominated modern world.
Conclusion
Colour 35mm film is a unique creative tool that still has viability for photographers in 2023. Both new and expired colour films offer different looks impossible to recreate digitally. Film cameras are easy to come by, and mail-order processing makes it accessible. While it may seem obsolete, shooting 35mm colour film can be a rewarding experience and art form, keeping vintage photography alive in the digital age.