Harman Phoenix II - 35mm Colour Negative Film
The sequel. Harman took what worked, refined what didn't, and built something new. Harman Phoenix II is an entirely new second-generation colour film with completely redesigned emulsion, new dyes, new couplers, and an experimental layer construct. Building on the original Phoenix's experimental spirit, Phoenix II offers improved contrast, finer grain, better sharpness, more accurate colour palette, enhanced highlight detail, improved shadow retention, and easier scanning. This is ISO 200 C-41 colour film from Harman Technology (the people behind Ilford) who took the learnings from Phoenix I and rebuilt the film from scratch. If you loved the original's unpredictability, Phoenix II offers a more refined version. If you found Phoenix I challenging, this addresses those concerns while keeping the experimental character.
What's New in Generation Two
ISO 200 - Medium speed for versatile shooting. Works in good daylight, handles overcast conditions, and gives you enough flexibility for general photography without requiring perfect light.
Completely New Emulsion - Every layer and component has been redesigned and reengineered. New formulation from the ground up, because Harman is committed to genuine innovation rather than just repackaging existing stocks.
Improved Contrast - Better tonal separation with enhanced shadow detail and highlight retention. More controlled look while maintaining character.
Finer Grain - Significantly improved grain structure. Still has personality, but now it's more refined and intentional rather than overwhelming the image.
Better Sharpness - Improved detail rendering and edge definition. Images have more clarity and precision while keeping that distinctive Phoenix look.
More Accurate Colour Palette - Colours that render more faithfully to the scene (for most colours, scanner dependent). Still distinctive, but more predictable and manageable.
Improved Exposure Latitude - More forgiving when your metering isn't perfect, though Phoenix II still rewards accurate exposure. Wider latitude means more successful frames from varied shooting conditions.
Better Lab Scanning - Scans more accurately at default settings, though some contrast and colour adjustments are still recommended for best results. Less rescue work, more refinement.
Experimental Layer Construct - Harman is doing genuinely experimental work here. This isn't just repackaged film—it's active R&D that you can shoot and support.
C-41 Processing - Standard colour negative chemistry. Any lab can develop this without confusion or special handling.
36 Exposures - Full roll for proper shooting sessions. Enough frames to explore the film's characteristics and get consistent results.
Best For
Photographers who loved Phoenix I's experimental character but wanted more refinement, experimental colour photography with better technical foundation, supporting genuinely new film development, and anyone who believes the film industry needs innovation alongside the classics.
Perfect for: trying something genuinely new in colour film, embracing experimental emulsions that are evolving, supporting Harman's R&D efforts, and getting distinctive results that don't look like every other colour stock while maintaining better technical quality.
Perfect for photographers who value innovation and evolution. Phoenix II proves that experimental film can improve while keeping its distinctive character. This is what film development looks like when manufacturers iterate and refine based on real-world use.