Phoenix Harman 200 film simulation for Sony cameras | Freshly Baked Series
This summer, I came up with a new recipe: the Phoenix Harman 200 film simulation. I have to say this is one of the most exciting film simulations I've made—it's in my top five, for sure.
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The Harman Phoenix 200 film - hit or miss?
Now, what inspired this new recipe?
Recently, a new color film hit the market: Phoenix Harman 200. This film came out in December 2023, and it's manufactured by Ilford. I must say, this is a super exciting release, even if I don't shoot film anymore. The Harman Phoenix 200 is a color-negative film with lots of warmth and contrast. But it's not without its faults—actually, it's got many mixed reviews so far. We'll dive into that in a bit.
But first, I want to specify that this is the first iteration of the film. Community feedback & funds from sales will help Harman refine it further.
Why is the Phoenix Harman 200 so controversial?
Well, it's definitely a tricky film to shoot, and the ultra-contrast, along with the warmth - makes it an experimental look that isn't everyone's cup of tea.
But the scanner you use to develop it might pack a bigger punch than you think. Check out these shots. I was blown away by these differences. ⬇️
Source - Carmencita Film Lab
Source - Carmencita Film Lab
I highly recommend diving into the full article for a more comprehensive discussion on the nuances of this film, as well as additional sample images. Other shots I found online have a super orange cast that's not very appealing.
When it comes to scanning, subtle variations are expected, but the differences here are truly striking.
Each scanner seems to impart its own unique fingerprint on the film - The Frontier scanner produces super constrasty images in both images. And a heavy warmth cast in the natural environment shots.
This variance shows just how many variables can shape the final look of an analog image. However, you will not see this big a difference with other film stocks. This is what makes the Herman Phoenix 200 so controversial. It's the first iteration of the film, coming from a brand with experience in black-and-white film stocks, after all.
Phoenix 200 film characteristics
One of the most defining features of the Phoenix 200 is its warm color palette and high contrast. If you scan it properly, you'll get some cool images. If not, the warmth and super high contrast might put you off. I, for one, like the contrasty look of the film. I do not like the images with a heavy orange cast, however.
The Phoenix 200 is also super grainy, even when exposed properly. While some might like this graininess, it's a big no-no for others. Additionally, the film lacks sharpness, particularly in the shadows, especially when you compare it with other ISO 200 film stocks.
And from what I've seen online, this film is limited in its dynamic range, making it extra hard to properly expose without sacrificing details.
Another distinctive feature is the color rendition - this film produces vibrant colors! And I mean suuuper vibrant. Especially in warmer tones.
Aaaand one thing I love about this film - it has a pretty strong halation effect in certain settings. In a sense, the quirkiness is what makes this film so intriguing. It's not about getting perfectly polished images, but about experimenting.
The Phoenix Harman Film Simulation
Just a note - the samples JPEGs shown in this blog post are slightly colder, as this was the first time testing the simulation. Meanwhile, this was fixed.
Here's a sneak peek 👀
Same as the authentic film, the Phoenix Harman film recipe emulates an image with high contrast, limited dynamic range, and deep, saturated film-like colors. I don't like to brag, but I am very proud of this creation, and it's definitely in my top 3 choices from now on, together with the Kodachrome recipe and Fortia 50 film simulation.
Harman Phoenix's unpredictability opens the door to creative experimentation. It works really well for street photography, portraits, and landscapes. Right out of the camera, it gives your photos a bold, polished look, so you only need to tweak exposure and contrast a little.
But if you’re someone who likes to change colors a lot in editing, this one might not be the best choice. Sometimes, shadows and highlights can be really strong, and it’s hard to bring back details afterward.
If you're looking for something bold and punchy, this simulation might be just right for you!
See side-by-side JPEGs - Phoenix Harman 200 vs Kodak Gold V1 vs Kodachrome V2
Samples Images of Phoenix Harman film recipe
The JPEGs below were shot using the Beta version of the recipe - I later realized this is colder than the actual film stock. The new update on the film simulation bundle will come with an updated version.
SOOC Sony a6700 JPEGs with the Phoenix Harman 200 recipe
Tamron 28-75 and Sigma Contemporary 24mm f2.
Get the look, without sacrificing the flexibility of RAW
For those who want to take it further, the Harman Phoenix 200 Lightroom preset & Capture One style are the way to go.
You get 2 presets to choose from - One preset replicates the look you’d get from the custom Sony Picture Profile in-camera, while the others take it further—using the extra tools in the editing software to bring you closer to the Phoenix Harman 200 film stock.
Here's a little snippet of how they look.
Thanks for reading this one! What do you think of this new recipe?
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