The 5 Best & Most Affordable Black & White 35 mm & 120 Film Stocks with Reviews & Sample Photos

July 18, 2025

When I first started my photography journey, I started with black and white film. I was obsessed with it. I spent hours in the darkroom, developing film and creating prints, in awe over the natural nostalgia of black and white. Something about it just felt so timeless and artistic. Even now, those photographs that I took back then and spent hours perfecting, are still special to me. I was particularly intrigued by the Holga 120 camera, and have since taken thousands of Holga photos, dragging a Holga everywhere I go, even now, 16 year later.

These days, I tend to shoot color film ( you can read more about my favorite color films here), just because it gives me the option of having both the color and black and white versions of a photo. However, lately I’ve been finding myself craving the simplicity (and affordability) of black and white film. I’ve never really met a black and white film that I didn’t like, but there a few that I tend to buy more often than others, just because there is something special about the way that they capture light and shadows. And I’m always looking for a balance of price and quality. Here are my top 5 best & most affordable black and white 35 mm & 120 film stocks, along with a quick review and sample photos that I’ve taken over the years, so that you can decide which one you’d like to try out!

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

1. FUJIFILM NEOPAN ACROS 100 II

For years, the original version of Neopan Acros 100 was my all-time favorite black and white film. Sadly, they stopped making it, but a few years ago they reintroduced this second version of the film. While it’s not quite as magical as the original version, I still buy it from time to time. I find the blacks and shadows to sometimes be a bit too dark which causes a loss of detail. What I loved the most about the original version of the film was that it had a lot of contrast, but maintained details in the shadows. I find the new version to still have that contrast, but with a little less detail that I’m able to pull out of the blacks when editing. Don’t get me wrong, I still love it, but I can’t help but be a little heartbroken over the loss of the original version of the film. I actually have a full blog post and YouTube video about this film stock! It comes in both 35 mm and 120 formats.

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

Amazon

B&H Photo

120 film

Amazon

B&H Photo

2. ILFORD HP5 PLUS 400

I haven’t tried this one out quite as much, but it’s actually one of the films that I first started shooting with back in the day. It’s a little less contrasty than Neopan Acros 100 II, but I find it to have a bit more detail in the shadows. Because it is a litle more flat, it gives you more flexibility when it comes to editing and post-processing. It definitely has that classic nostalgia that I’m always looking for when it comes to black and white film and automatically makes it look like your photos were taken 50 years ago. Since it is a 400 ISO film, you’ll find it has more grain and grittiness that the Neopan Acros 100 film. But this also means that it performs better in low light and is more versatile overall. This is a great film to throw in your bag when you’re traveling or when you’re not sure what the lighting conditions are going to be. I recently ordered more of this film and I’m excited to add more Ilford HP5 Plus photos to my portfolio. :) It also comes in both 35 mm and 120 formats.

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

Amazon

B&H Photo

120 film

Amazon

B&H Photo

3. KODAK TRI-X 400

Kodak Tri-X 400 is probably the most common and most easily accesible film on the list. It’s super affordable and really has that traditional black and white film look. I definitely buy this one the most out of all of the films on this list, because it’s a great price and has never failed me. I love how dark the blacks and I find it to have the perfect amount of contrast. These days it’s probably one of my favorite black and white films because it really fulfills that nostalgia and classic black and white look that I’m always on the hunt for. It’s super sharp and not too grainy for a 400 ISO film. I always have a handful of this film in my fridge. You really can’t go wrong with this one!

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

Amazon

B&H Photo

120 film

Amazon

B&H Photo

4. LOMOGRAPHY EARL GREY 100

Honestly, any Lomography black and white film is fun to experiment with, and they won’t break the bank. I shoot a LOT of Lomography film, especially the color negative 400 which comes in both 35 mm and 120 film. But lately, I’ve gotten into trying out all of their black and white films. They are all so unique and great for finding your personal style. I particularly love the Lomography Earl Grey 100 film, which has that nostalgia that I’m always looking for, but also has a unique tonal range compared to others on this list. You’ll notice it has an overall muted and gray tone. It reminds me of a faded black and white photograph you might find in an old trunk in your grandparent’s attic. It’s moody and dreary, which I absolutely love. There are a ton of other black and white films you can try out from Lomography, like the Lady Grey 400 & Potsdam 100. Those are also two great black and white film stocks!

WHERE TO BUY

B&H Photo

5. KENTMERE PAN 100

Kentmere Pan 100 is a film stock that is somewhat directed towards beginners and students, so it’s very affordable. It’s also super forgiving and versatile, which makes it a great film stock all around. Even though I love the way it looks, something about it doesn’t feel quite as special as the others on this list. But maybe it’s just because I have more of a history with some of the others. :) If you’re on a bit of a budget though, this one is a perfect place to start and won’t disappoint. I just took a few rolls with me on a trip to England, and I’m pleasantly surprised by the beautiful contrast and sharpness. When I first started shooting with the Holga 120 GCFN (which I used for all of the images below), I pretty much exclusively used 100 ISO film. The lens on a Holga is naturally soft so using a 100 ISO film brings more sharpness and clarity to your images. I’m reminded of why 100 ISO film is so great with toy cameras, but it is temperamental on cloudy days or in low-light settings. When I’m not sure of the environment I’m going into, or if I notice the weather is going to be overcast, I tend to stick with 400 ISO film. If you’re interested in learning more about Holga cameras, make sure to check out my blog post here, or my YouTube video here! It also comes in a 200 ISO and 400 ISO film speed.

WHERE TO BUY

35 mm

B&H Photo

120 film

B&H Photo

If you found this post helpful or inspiring, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my B&H Photo storefront & Amazon Storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

Minolta AF Tele 35 mm Camera Review with Kodak UltraMax 400 Sample Photos in San Diego, California

June 28, 2025

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

When I stumbled across the Minolta AF Tele in an antique shop and noticed it was fully functioning, I knew I’d found a gem. I’m always on the hunt for vintage point-and-shoot cameras because they are great for traveling and because they each have their own character and vibe when it comes to the photos. I have another 35 mm Minolta camera, the Minolta Maxxum STsi, which is one of my all-time favorite 35 mm cameras. You can read my full review of that camera here! Before the Minolta Maxxum STsi, I’d never had any experience with Minolta cameras, but I’m started to learn that they are definitely a standout when it comes to vintage cameras.

I decided to take the Minolta AF Tele with me on a recent trip to San Diego and I’m obsessed with how the images turned out. Not only was it incredibly easy to use, the photographs also have the perfect retro film vibe that I wanted for my California photos.

HISTORY

The Minolta AF Tele was originally produced in the late 1980s to early 1990s and was created as an accessible camera for beginners and professionals alike. The specific model of the camera featured in this blog post was manufactured in Japan. You can check the bottom of the camera for an imprint to see where yours was produced! The Minolta brand, in general, is a Japanese company, though some of the Minolta cameras are manufactured in other countries as well. I’ve learned over the years that if I see that a camera was produced in Japan, it’s usually a slam dunk. They also typically have a nice aesthetic design and seemingly last forever.

Point-and-shoot cameras really started to gain traction in the 1980s so it was a bit of a competition between all of the major camera companies to produce amazing compact film cameras that were easy to use for the average consumer. The Minolta AF Tele was one of those cameras, though maybe not quite as popular as cameras like the Canon Sure Shot ( I’m still on the hunt for one of these). I find it to be unique and interesting and I definitely never plan to give mine up!

FEATURES

The standout feature of this camera is it’s dual lens system. While it is a compact camera, the lens has two different focal lengths that you can easily switch between. There is a 35 mm f/2.8 lens and a 60 mm f/4.3 telephoto lens. There are other versions of this camera, like the Minolta AF Tele Super, that have slightly different lens options built into the camera.

The Minolta AF Tele also has a built-in flash, a fill-flash button, a self-timer, auto advance, auto rewind, and a tripod mount. This camera is fully autofocus, so there is no need to worry about taking the time to manually focus. However, this also means there are really no manual features at all, so you’re a bit limited when it comes to creativity.

There is also no option for multiple exposures. There is a film rewind button on the bottom of the camera, but it rewinds the film roll all the way back to the beginning, so you will be shooting over your entire roll. While you can still overlap images in this way, it gives you way less control than a camera with a dedicated multiple exposure feature.

The fill-flash button is also a nice addition to the camera, especially if you are shooting with a subject that is back-lit. The main flash will automatically come on when the camera senses there is not enough light, but it’s nice to have the option to turn the fill-flash on when needed.

The camera will automatically set the ISO for your film as well, as long as the film is DX coded, which most films are.

It takes a Lithium CR-P2 battery or two AA batteries, which is a very interesting feature I’ve never seen before in a camera. But it’s definitely nice for those moments when your battery dies on you while traveling and AA batteries are the only ones you can find.

And obviously, one of the best things about these point-and-shoot cameras is that they are compact and easy to travel with! While the Minolta AF Tele is a bit more bulky that other cameras of its class, it is still a nice, small size compared to 35 mm cameras with detachable lenses and zoom lenses.

Lens fully extended

Back of the camera

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m kind of obsessed with this camera. The dual lens system is just plain fun to experiment with and gives you that little bit of extra zoom when you’re traveling if you see something farther away that you’d like to photograph. I’m also pleasantly surprised by the sharpness of the lens, especially at the 35 mm setting. It seems a little softer when using the 60 mm lens option. I’m a little bit bummed that there is no multiple exposure option, but I usually assume this is the case with most point-and-shoot cameras from that time period. It’s a rare feature that most people didn’t care for, particularly the average, everyday consumer. This camera is somewhat limited in terms of creativity, considering it doesn’t have any manual features other than the fill-flash, but it’s still a super fun point-and-shoot that is great for capturing candid moments with friends and family, and for traveling with a 35 mm film camera that doesn’t weigh a million pounds or take up a ton of space in your bag.

This is definitely one of those cameras I’ll just quickly grab when I’m running out the door for a family day or a night out with friends. I’m sure it will be joining me on many more trips in the future too. If you see this one out in the wild, snatch it up! I got lucky and found mine for $20, but it seems that the average going rate is about $25 to $70. I’d pick one of these up sooner rather than later if I were you, because these vintage point-and-shoots just keep getting more and more popular!

For these photos, I used Kodak UltraMax 400 35 mm film, but if you’d like more film recommendations, make sure to check out my blog post, The Best Color Film for 35 mm Cameras!

WHERE TO BUY THE MINOLTA AF TELE 35MM CAMERA

<3 Myles Katherine

SAMPLE PHOTOS

And of course, I have to share all of my favorite photos from my trip to San Diego with you!!!

Contax Carl Zeiss 140mm f/2.8 Sonnar T* Lens Review & Sample Photos | The Best Lenses for the Contax 645

June 5, 2025

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

When I first bought my Contax 645, it came with two lenses, the Carl Zeiss Planar T* 80mm F/2 Lens lens and the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 140mm F2.8 Lens. For years, the 140 mm lens just sat in my bag collecting dust. I tend to shoot wide and I find it slightly annoying to have lenses that have a longer focal length than 80 mm. However, I recently decided to challenge myself and try out the 140 mm lens! I took it with me to a few different photo shoots to really get an idea of how it handles. It’s always a little nerve-wracking to try out new gear because you just don’t know if you’re wasting your time and your expensive film! Luckily, the photos turned out amazingly beautiful and now I’m wondering why I left this lens in my bag for so long! I definitely want to take it with my on more of my future nature trips because I’m always looking for a way to capture mountains or stunning waterfalls off in the distance.

The Contax 645 is, by far, one of the nicest cameras I own. I have a full blog post about it here that features photos taken with the classic 80 mm lens that most people tend to use with this camera. The only downside with the Contax 645 is how huge and heavy it is. But every time I get a roll of film back, it’s more than worth the challenge of dragging it with me everywhere. The photos are like nothing else, in my opinion. You can also watch my YouTube video about the Contax 645 here where I take it with me on an adventure to Mount Rainier in Washington State!

REVIEW OF THE CARL ZEISS SONNAR T* 140MM F2.8 LENS

I was a little bit worried that the 140mm f/2.8 wouldn’t stand up to the 80mm lens f/2 that I’ve been used to. But I really should have known better considering the 1400mm is a Zeiss lens! Zeiss is known for creating lenses that are SUPER sharp and reliable. I had this idea that I’d get back images that just weren’t exciting, but that wasn’t the case at all. These lenses are incredibly sturdy and well-made, with high-quality optics and functionality. I was also worried that the lens just wouldn’t work, especially because it had been sitting in my bag, stagnant, for a decade. But it came back to life as if nothing had happened at all! I was still able to get that dreamy background blur and those super sharp landscape shots that I love the Contax 645 for, even dropping back from an f/2.0 aperture to an f/2.8. In general, I tend to prefer lenses with a wider aperture because I love the dreamy, surreal quality that they can create. But I was pleasantly surprised with the bokeh and background blur of this lens, likely because it does have such a long focal length and is so zoomed in naturally. I don’t typically use telephoto lenses or lenses past 100mm focal length, so it was a new experience for me. I did find myself backing up sometimes to get the images I wanted, but I’m sure that is just something I’d get used to after a while.

This lens also has a “T*” coating, which is a technology that Zeiss implemented to help reduce flare and ghosting. Personally, I don’t mind a little flare but I noticed that this lens did handle light extremely well and creates absolutely beautiful portraits. The Contax 645, in general, is an incredible camera, especially if you’re looking to create stunning, fine art portraiture. When I first started getting into photography, a few of my all-time favorite photographers used the Contax 645. I was in awe of their portraits and knew that I’d have to get one in the future. When I finally was able to purchase one, it felt like I had reached a new level as a photographer.

The autofocus is a little slow with this lens, but when I’m using this camera I’m typically working slower anyway, making sure I don’t waste a single frame. If you’re trying to shoot extremely quickly, I wouldn’t recommend a camera like the Contax 645 anyway. It’s really meant for slow, precise photography and not sports or fast motion.

Overall, I love that this lens didn’t disappoint me at all, and in fact, surprised me with how much I loved the images! I had convinced myself that there was no way this old, unused lens would be able to create beautiful photographs, but it definitely did. I’ve included a bunch of sample images below that I’ve taken with it over the last few months so you can decide for yourself!

WHERE TO BUY THE CARL ZEISS SONNAR T* 140MM LENS

KEH Camera

Etsy

eBay

The Contax 645 is expensive, but it’s also highly desired. If you’re on the hunt for one, here are a few places you might be able to find one!

WHERE TO BUY THE CONTAX 645

KEH Camera (not always in stock, but you can keep checking back!)

eBay

Etsy

For these images, I used Cinestill 400D 120 film and Kodak Portra 400. You can check out more of my 120 film recommendations on my blog here - The Best 120 Film Stocks and Where to Buy Them.

If you found this post helpful or inspiring, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.

<3 Myles Katherine

Double Exposure