I just bought my Holga 120N camera at the start of this year and I was really happy with how it turned out. The camera is lightweight and small enough to fit my pocket.
I started shooting and shooting until I run out of film.
Then reality strikes me; unlike digital cameras, the Holga 120N has its limit in terms of taking pictures.
Now that I don’t have films left, I tried to look for the right film compatible to my camera. So the search begun and I end up with two films which I think delivers great result to the point that they deserve a review.
So in this post, let me share with you what I think about Ilford HP-5 Plus 400 and Fujifilm Pro 400. This is a perfect opportunity for you to weigh which of the two film types will be the best choice for you.
1. Ilford HP-5 Plus 400
This film is actually a good choice for general photography purposes. It works pretty well with my Holga 120 and I don’t see any reason it’ll not for you. Here are the features:
- Black and white film color
- 120 Film format
- High speed of ISO 400
- Wide exposure latitude
Pros
- Cost-effectiveness – my Holga 120N is known for pocket-friendliness and I expect to find a low-cost film as well. The Ilford HP-5 Plus 400 only costs below $10. So I can take more shots at a smaller price.
- Good quality image – needless to say, I’m really happy with the image quality. The resulting photos have a good vignetting and vintage effect, crisp and vivid. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much about this film since it is only $8. To my pleasant surprise, it delivers beyond my expectation.
Cons
- Black and white images –you might be thinking why this film is very cheap. Well, I think it is because it will only give you black and white images. So if you’re looking for a colored film, then you need to look for another product. Nevertheless, it delivers great black and white images if that’s what you’re looking for.
2. Fujifilm Pro 400H
Fujifilm is truly a great brand. They have awesome products that I think will make it a great choice for any enthusiast or professional photographer.
One good thing about them is that they provide films that are not only compatible with their line of instant cameras, but instead make it somewhat universal for other people to enjoy.
Thus, you can use their film for your Holga 120N.
- ISO 400
- 3D effect
- Color reproduction
- 6th Color Layer Technology
- Good skin tones
Pro
- Ease of use – the best thing about this film is that it can be used in a wide range of lighting condition. I used it outside and the image just went out great. I also used it indoor under a low light condition and I was surprised that it can still deliver good image quality. In addition to this, there’s a small amount of grain so it looks kind of vintage.
Con
- Pricey – as they say, you get what you paid for and it’s definitely a price worth paying. I bought the film at $45 and this is way more expensive compared to Ilford film. As this might be the case, I’m not disappointed with the result.
Conclusion
I think the key here is to know your budget and what you really need. Both films are perfect for my Holga 120N, but there are unique features that I need to weigh in. Definitely, if it is quality you’re looking for, go for the Fujifilm Pro 400 but the price may hurt your pocket. The Ilford film is a good choice if you’re a little short of budget but still want decent images.