Those lighter mornings, slightly longer days and promises of warmer weather are just about enough to get us excited for exiting winter and getting ready to start shooting spring.
Arguably, it could be one of the best seasons for film photography, whilst weather can still be changeable, the days are longer, flowers are in bloom and the soft golden light returns.
If you're a medium format lover, it's time to capture the season in all its beauty. Whether you're after vibrant colours, pastels or timeless black and white, we've rounded up some of the best 120 film stocks to use for spring photography.
The Best 120 Film Stocks For Shooting During Spring
1. Kodak Portra 400 – The Versatile Classic
Best for: Portraits, landscapes, and all-around shooting
Kodak Portra 400 is a staple in any film photographer’s bag. With its fine grain, soft colour palette, and excellent dynamic range, it’s perfect for capturing the subtle hues of spring.
Whether you’re photographing blooming flowers, soft pastel sunsets, or candid portraits, Portra 400 delivers beautiful, natural tones with a slight warmth that enhances the season’s atmosphere.
It delivers low grain, yet high sharpness for stunning medium format results.
2. CineStill 800T – For Moody Spring Evenings
Best for: Low-light spring shots, cityscapes, and atmospheric photography
Spring can come with changeable weather, whether that means April showers or overcast days. But some of the most magical moments can happen at dusk or on rainy afternoons, as long as you're armed with the right film!
CineStill 800T is a tungsten-balanced film that works beautifully in low-light situations, producing a cinematic look with halation around lights. It produces a variety of fantastic, cinematic outputs under coloured lights.
If you’re capturing the city after rain, cherry blossoms at dusk, or a cosy café scene, this is the film to use.
3. Ilford HP5+ – The Perfect Black & White Film for Spring
Best for: Timeless, classic black and white photography
Ilford HP5+ is a true classic black & white film! Sometimes, stripping away colour allows you to focus on textures, light, and contrast.
It is a medium-speed black and white film with a classic grain structure that works beautifully for springtime photography.
Whether you’re shooting street scenes, portraits, or nature, HP5+ delivers rich contrast and stunning detail.
4.CineStill BwXX Black & White - The Classic Hollywood Look In Black & White
Best for: High-contrast, cinematic black and white photography
CineStill BwXX is a black and white film based on Kodak’s classic Double-X motion picture stock, which has been used in Hollywood for decades.
If you want to give your spring photos a gritty, yet timeless cinematic feel, this is the film for you.
With rich blacks, bright highlights, and a beautiful grain structure, it’s an excellent choice for capturing street scenes, dramatic landscapes, and character-filled portraits.
5.Kodak Portra 800 - Low Light and Vibrant Spring Colours
Best for: Evening shoots, dynamic lighting, and rich colours
One of the most expensive 120 film stocks, but one that truly works well in changeable conditions, whilst delivering stunning results.
Kodak Portra 800 is perfect for capturing the soft, glowing light of golden hour, vibrant tulip fields under cloudy skies, or an evening picnic illuminated by lanterns.
With high ISO capabilities and the signature Portra colour palette, this film balances natural skin tones with deep, rich hues, making it a versatile choice for unpredictable spring lighting.
6.Kodak Gold 200 - Warm and Nostalgic Spring Tones
Best for: Sunny days, everyday snapshots, and a vintage aesthetic
Kodak Gold 200 captures the warmth that comes with bright spring days beautifully. Known for its rich, warm tones and slight vintage feel, this budget-friendly colour negative film is perfect for casual springtime photography.
Whilst its low ISO means it does not perform at its best on overcast, changeable weather days, it really comes into its own on bright, sunny days.
7.Lomochrome Purple 120 - A Surreal Take On Spring
Best for: Experimental photography, otherworldly landscapes, and creative portraits
If you’re looking to capture spring in a completely unique and artistic way, Lomochrome Purple 120 is the perfect film for you.
Known for its colour-shifting magic, this film transforms lush green landscapes into deep purples, pinks, and reds, giving your springtime images a dreamlike, infrared-inspired aesthetic.
Depending on how you expose it (ISO 100-400), you can achieve subtle lavender tones or deep, dramatic purples, making it a fantastic choice for creative experimentation during the blooming season.
Spring is a season full of possibilities, and the right film stock can help you capture its beauty in the best way possible.
Whether you prefer the pastel tones of Portra 400, or the timeless appeal of HP5+, there’s a 120 film perfect for your creative vision.
Which film stock are you excited to shoot with this spring? Let us know in the comments below!
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