Harman’s Latest Colour Film

credits: Harman

Harman is back with a new film stock called Phoenix II, a follow-up to the original Phoenix C41 film that debuted in late 2023 as a limited-edition experiment. That first version was known for being bold, unpredictable, and a bit wild in how it rendered color and contrast, fun, but not exactly easy to work with. Phoenix II, on the other hand, is a complete overhaul. Harman says every part of the film has been redesigned, from the dyes and couplers to the experimental layering. It’s still an ISO 200 color negative film processed in C41, but this version promises to be much more polished and consistent.

Phoenix II is available in both 35mm and 120 formats and is meant to be a permanent part of Harman’s lineup this time, not just a one-off. Harman says this new version is “a step-change” from the original, offering better color, more controlled contrast, finer grain, and sharper results. It’s also designed to be easier to scan, which is great news for both home developers and lab users alike. If the original Phoenix was more of a chaotic creative tool, Phoenix II aims to be a reliable everyday color film that still maintains some of that analog character people loved about the first.

This release is part of a bigger analog push from Harman, who recently made their largest investment in film manufacturing since the 1990s. That’s already led to a new redscale film, the Kentmere Pan 200 black-and-white stock, and now Phoenix II. Pricing will vary depending on region, but it’s already available through retailers starting today.

You can see full details and sample shots on Harman’s website here