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Graination’s Guide to Unlocking the Full Potential of Phoenix 200 120 Film

Photographer Zhang Chen (@benbenzhang21) shooting with a Pentax 67 camera, capturing summer moments on Phoenix 200 120 film. The image showcases a warm, nostalgic vibe, perfect for showcasing the film's rich colors and halation effects.

Harman Technology’s Phoenix 200 120 Film has arrived, and it offers a fresh take on medium format photography. At Graination, we’ve tested this film extensively, discovering its strengths and finding the best ways to bring out its unique qualities. Whether you’re looking for bold colors, retro vibes, or striking halation effects, Phoenix 200 is a versatile choice for your medium format shots. Here’s how to unlock the full potential of this film, along with our secret scanning recipe for even better results.

What Is Phoenix 200 120 Film?

Phoenix 200 is a color negative film with an ISO of 200, making it ideal for bright conditions or flash photography. Originally launched in 35mm format, it’s now available in 120 format for medium format cameras. This film is known for its rich colors, strong contrast, and unique halation effect, giving your photos a nostalgic, cinematic feel.

Best ISO Settings for Phoenix 200 in Medium Format

To achieve the best results with Phoenix 200, we recommend slightly overexposing the film to enhance its shadow details and manage its limited exposure latitude. Here’s our guide to optimal ISO settings for different lighting conditions:

  • ISO 50 for Overcast Days: On cloudy or low-light days, shoot at ISO 50 to improve tonal balance and capture more detail in shadows and highlights.
  • ISO 100 for Bright Sunlight: In bright outdoor conditions, ISO 100 helps retain highlight detail without losing shadow information, enhancing the film’s natural contrast and halation effect.
  • ISO 100 with Flash: For indoor or flash photography, using ISO 100 ensures balanced exposure, reducing the risk of overexposed highlights or muddy shadows.

Maximizing the Halation Effect

Phoenix 200 is known for its lack of a halation layer, creating a red halo effect around bright light sources. This feature can add a dreamy, vintage feel to your images. Here’s how to make the most of it:

  • Shoot Backlit Subjects: Place your subject against the light source (such as the sun or streetlights) to maximize the halation effect, perfect for creating ethereal, glowing portraits or landscapes.
  • Use Bright Points of Light: Incorporating sunlight peeking through trees, reflections, or artificial lights can enhance the cinematic halation, making your images more visually striking.
Sunrise photo by Winnie Yan capturing a couple kissing, showcasing Phoenix 200 medium format film's halation effect with warm light wrapping around the couple, highlighting the film’s rich colors and nostalgic glow.
Winnie Yan @gali_gallery

Graination’s Secret Scanning Recipe for Phoenix 200

Our exclusive scanning recipe is designed to make Phoenix 200 look its best. Here’s how we handle the film to ensure your images come out stunning:

  • Boost Orange and Yellow Tones: By enhancing these warm tones, we bring out Phoenix 200’s naturally vibrant colors, giving your photos a warm, nostalgic feel—perfect for summer or sunset scenes.
  • Reduce Cyan: Lowering cyan during scanning helps balance the overall color profile, giving your images a vintage aesthetic while ensuring colors are not overly saturated.
  • Lower Contrast: Phoenix 200 has naturally high contrast, but slightly reducing it during scanning helps preserve details in both highlights and shadows, giving a more balanced and cohesive look.
Image showcasing Graination's secret scanning recipe for Phoenix 200 film, emphasizing enhanced warm tones and balanced contrast to highlight the film’s rich colors and halation effect.
Zhang Chen @benbenzhang21

Why Phoenix 200 Is the Perfect Summer Film

If you’re looking to capture the essence of summer, Phoenix 200 120 Film is ideal. Its warm tones, striking contrast, and retro vibe make it perfect for beach scenes, outdoor portraits, or capturing the golden hour. Plus, the halation effect adds a cinematic glow that’s perfect for creating memorable summer photos.

Photo showcasing Phoenix 200 120 Film during a golden hour beach scene, highlighting the film’s warm tones, striking contrast, and retro vibe. The halation effect adds a cinematic glow, capturing the essence of summer in a nostalgic, vibrant shot.
Ishkhan Ghazarian @ishkhanghazarian

Try Phoenix 200 120 Film Now

Phoenix 200 is a versatile, creative film that pairs beautifully with medium format photography. Whether you’re looking to experiment with vibrant colors or capture a nostalgic feel, this film has plenty to offer. With Graination’s secret scanning recipe and expert tips, you can make your Phoenix 200 shots stand out even more.

Give it a try before the summer fades away! Visit Graination to get your rolls of Phoenix 200 and start shooting.

about the author

Neil Guo

Neil Guo, co-founder of Graination, holds a Bachelor of Fine art degree in Photography and has dedicated the past 14 years to specializing in Fine Art Photography, Darkroom Processes and Fine Art Printing.

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