I recently did my usual walk around Poole in Dorset, and took with me my Leica M4-P with the 35mm Zeiss Biogon. It’s a combination of camera that I am increasingly liking and is becoming a “go-to” for me. This time I loaded in my first roll of Harman’s Phoenix 200 speed colour film. These are my first results. I decided that I’d just expose the roll at box speed, and make photo’s as I normally would.
It is well documented that this is a “experimental” film. It isn’t supposed to be or claimed to be Gold 200 – and it isn’t. Much has been written about the colour palette, but I think the main thing about this film is the contrast. It is very contrasty. If one looks at the image above, the side of the bus and the buildings behind, they aren’t too bad, but look into the shadows, in fact you can’t- there’s nothing there but black! A film to use on a very overcast dull day me thinks, and that’s a pity because one of the nice aspects of this film is the halation. Looking at the image below – look at that effect on the water highlights! Yes, it’s an effect, but if one is making the sort of “dreamy” image that calls for that look, it’s great.
I’m reminded of the slightly unfair joke about Cokin Filters. “Zeiss and others spent thousands if not millions trying to get shot of all the aberrations, colour shifts, and reflections in lenses, when they finally succeeded, along came Mr Cokin who made a fortune putting them all back again”!
The other thing that this film stock really doesn’t like is underexposure. If I were to shoot another roll I’d set the dial to 100asa. I reckon a stop over would improve my results considerably. If underexposed at all – it seems to go really green. I scanned 12 negs all at the same time, on the same setting, any with even the slightest underexposure are almost luminous green. Mostly correctable in post, but not entirely, Overexposed however seems to scan fine.
What I will say is that I congratulate Harmen on jumping into the colour film market. It has to be a bold decision, and I wish them well with it. Would I use another roll, yes, if I wanted something that had that “look”. Do I prefer Gold 200 as a general film – yes. Would I buy the next Phoenix to try – you bet!
Chatter: Leica M4-P with Zeiss Biogon 35mm. Harman Phoenix 200 Colour film. Lab processed C41.
S.H.O.U.T. 
Personally i love the Blacks of this film. I saw the images of people who tried to open the shadows. The grain in these places was absolutely not pleasing.
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Hi Victor, I found when it goes black in the shadows that’s fine, nice inky blacks but when it’s just a bit underexposed and “dark” it tends to go very green, or rather that’s what my scanner produced. I’ll use another roll, and drench it in sun! 🙂 All best wishes – Andy
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Thank you for the info. I hope to see more about this film.
Have a nice weekend Andy.
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Yeah, I’m with Victor above–don’t try to “open the shadows”. Instead, lean into the contrast. And definitely try another roll. I’ve written about my experiences with it today:
https://urbanadventureleague.wordpress.com/2024/03/07/new-film-new-camera-are-things-looking-up-in-the-film-photography-world
And it does love light:
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Hi Shawn, I tend to agree with you – it certainly likes light, and yes with those inky shadows, dramatic is a good word. I don’t dislike it (Phoenix) and will certainly use another roll or two but I’ll throw lots of light at it and find the right subject! Your photo’s look great – especially the one above! I tried a roll or two of Ferrania P30 when it was first about and I can’t say that I was overstruck on that either. Certainly the drama over the E6, seems to go on and on. If they ever produce a roll of super 8 – i’ll get one!!! All best wishes Andy
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