Harman Phoenix II

Harman Phoenix II: The Bold New Colour Film Everyone’s Talking About

The UK film photography scene has been set alight once again — and this time it’s with the release of Harman Phoenix II, a newly reformulated colour negative film stock that promises sharper results, finer grain, and more accurate colour than its predecessor.

At Just Shoot Film, we’re not usually ones to hop on every bandwagon. But Phoenix II isn’t just hype. It’s proof that the analogue world is evolving, and Harman — the makers of Ilford black-and-white film — are leading the charge in homegrown colour film manufacturing.

What Is Harman Phoenix II?

Harman Phoenix II is a brand new ISO 200 colour film for 35mm and 120 format cameras. It’s been completely redesigned from the ground up, replacing the original Phoenix 200, which while popular for its uniqueness, wasn’t exactly known for being predictable.

This new version boasts a more stable emulsion, refined colour rendering, and better exposure latitude — while still retaining the unmistakable character that made people fall in love with the first Phoenix. That means more natural skin tones, smoother scans, and just enough analogue weirdness to remind you that you’re not shooting digital.

This film is proudly made in the UK using C41 chemistry, and it works beautifully in most lab workflows including ours here at Just Shoot Film.

What’s Changed?

• Improved Grain Structure: You’ll notice the grain is finer and better controlled — especially in medium format. This makes it a more versatile option for portrait and travel photographers alike.
• More Accurate Colours: Phoenix II now renders skies less cyan-heavy and produces more neutral greys and skin tones.
• Better Scanning: Colour casts and post-correction issues that plagued the original Phoenix are largely gone. Whether we’re scanning on Noritsu or a modern DSLR setup, it’s a dream to work with.
• Increased Latitude: Highlights and shadows have more breathing room, making it a reliable choice in high-contrast scenes.

This makes it one of the most accessible new colour films on the market — especially for beginners and budget-conscious shooters looking for something other than Kodak or Fujifilm.

Who’s It For?

Whether you’re a street shooter, a documentary photographer, or someone who just likes loading a camera for weekend wanderings, Phoenix II fits right in. It works well in natural light, holds up in mixed lighting conditions, and gives you that satisfying analogue rendering that’s hard to replicate with presets.

If you’ve never tried Harman film before, now’s your chance. If you tried the original Phoenix and weren’t sold — this is the one that might just convert you.

We’ve run a few test rolls through compact cameras, SLRs, and even a medium format TLR. In every case, it delivered rich results with far less unpredictability than version one.

Why We’re Stocking It

At Just Shoot Film, we care deeply about what we stock. We want every film we sell to be something we’d happily shoot ourselves. Harman Phoenix II ticks all the boxes:

• It’s fresh, exciting, and has that small-batch soul we love.
• It’s made here in the UK — supporting homegrown film production.
• It delivers consistent results without feeling sterile.

And crucially, we know it works seamlessly with our C41 developing and scanning service. That means quicker turnarounds and better scans with less post-editing hassle.

Shooting Tips for Phoenix II

• Rate at box speed (ISO 200) for balanced exposure, or try pushing to 400 for more contrast and a moodier tone.
• Expose for the shadows — it handles highlights well, but underexposing will crush your detail.
• Ideal for overcast days, portraits, and documentary-style shooting where you want honest, filmic tones.
• Great in medium format — Phoenix II in 120 sings with smoother grain and richer transitions.

Where to Buy Harman Phoenix II

We’ve got it in stock now — available in-store at our Norwich lab or online via our shop. And because we buy direct at trade prices, we can offer it at just £12.50 per roll, making it one of the best-value new colour films in the UK right now (in store only)

Order today, drop your roll off, and we’ll handle the rest — from C41 processing to clean, sharp, colour-accurate scans. You shoot it. We’ll develop it.

Final Thoughts

Harman Phoenix II is more than just a new film — it’s a statement. A reminder that film photography is alive, supported, and growing. It’s exciting to see a British manufacturer taking risks, listening to the community, and actually improving their product.

Whether you’re a seasoned analogue obsessive or just starting your 35mm journey, Phoenix II is a film you’ll want to shoot — and shoot again.

Try it.

Process it with us.

And see what this new era of colour film can really look like