HARMAN PHOTO FAQs 

Why are these films branded HARMAN? 

Our company name is HARMAN technology, named after Alfred Harman, the founder of the original ILFORD company back in 1879. We do not have the rights to use the ILFORD brand for colour products and so HARMAN Phoenix, HARMAN RED, and our future colour films will all be under the HARMAN Photo brand. 

Will you stop making your black & white films, papers, and chemicals? Why can’t I find those products on this website? 

Our passion and commitment to black & white films, papers and chemicals remains as strong as ever. Those products have their own website and social media channels (@ilfordphoto) and won’t appear under the HARMAN Photo brand. 

Where can I buy HARMAN films? 

Our HARMAN films are available in all good photo retailers around the world. If you are in the UK you can also purchase them directly from this website. 

Where can I process my HARMAN films? 

You can process yourself using C41 kits or send to any lab that offers C41 colour film processing. 

There are many excellent labs around the world including our sister company HARMANLab.com who specialise in C41 and B&W processing, scanning and printing services. 

To get the best results, we recommend using labs that have applied our recommended scanning settings. 

Are all HARMAN film ‘limited edition’? 

While we continue to build our experience and expertise in colour film technology and manufacturing, we are working on a roadmap of projects. As we work towards films that can and will remain in the HARMAN range we believe it is important for photographers to be able to try some experimental films. The feedback we receive from these films, as well as the revenue generated, helps steer the development of our future colour films. 

Are you on social media? 

You can find us @harmanphoto on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Bluesky and Youtube. You can follow our colour film journey on these platforms. 

Please share your images with us on these platforms using the following #: 

  • HARMAN Phoenix II #phoenixfilm2 #harmanphoenix2 #harmanphoto  
  • HARMAN Phoenix #phoenixfilm #harmanphoenix #harmanphoto 
  • HARMAN RED #harmanred #harmanphoto 

HARMAN have talked about a significant investment in the business. What has this entailed? 

Sales of the original Phoenix film have allowed us to invest in our colour journey. As part of our ongoing commitment to a sustainable future in film photography, we have also invested £multiple millions to improve our colour coating and finishing capabilities, and our R&D function to build the world’s biggest and most proactive film research and development programme. 

You can find out more about our investment here: https://www.harmantechnology.com/significant-ongoing-investment-in-the-future-of-photographic-film/ 

When can we expect new colour films? / Can you share your roadmap? 

The launch of Phoenix in December 2023 has provided an excellent benchmark for us to build upon. Our research and development team have been working hard on new colour films as well as honing some of the specific components that may be in future films. Things are progressing well, but we can’t share details or timescales as yet. Please follow our @harmanphoto socials as you will hear the news there first. 

 

HARMAN PHOENIX II FAQs 

What are the main differences between the original Phoenix and Phoenix II? 

Phoenix II is a completely new emulsion with very little in common with its predecessor. It tackles some of the grain, sharpness, contrast, latitude, and scanning of the original. 

  • Improvements have been made to contrast and grain. 
  • There is a more accurate colour palette (for most colours and dependent on the scanner used).  
  • Better highlight detail / shadow retention. 
  • Better, more accurate lab scanning, at default settings, although to achieve best results some contrast and colour adjustments are recommended. (see our technical guide). 
  • Exposure latitude is improved, although please note this film still greatly benefits from accurate exposure. 

While the film is different, the ethos of the original Phoenix remains: 

  • We will continue to experiment and innovate to deliver new films 
  • Sales will once again be reinvested to allow this journey to continue  
  • We will continue to listen to your feedback using the QR code inside the packaging. 

Why is this film classed as experimental? 

We are still at the relatively early stages of our colour project and so this product, like the original Phoenix, is not as refined as established, mainstream colour films. This is a long journey and the further we progress along our developmental roadmap, the less experimental we expect our new films to become. 

That said, we believe that fun, quirky, or experimental films like this are an important ingredient of a healthy film photography offering and there is a place in the market for niche films such as RED and Phoenix while we develop others.  

Now Phoenix II is here, does this mean you will no longer make the original Phoenix? 

The original Phoenix film, in both 35mm and 120 formats, will only continue to be available whilst stocks last. However, we may decide to coat this film again in the future if there is sufficient interest.  

Can we expect to see gradual improvements with each new coating of Phoenix II as we saw with the original Phoenix? 

While the formulation of the original Phoenix didn’t change, the product itself evolved with every coating as we were able to refine our processes. We will learn more about Phoenix II with every manufacture however it is unclear how this could affect performance, if at all.  

Does this film currently exist anywhere else? 

No, this is a brand new, unique emulsion developed and coated by HARMAN and it is currently exclusive to the HARMAN brand. 

Can I use a UV filter with Phoenix II? 

Use of a UV filter on bright days is recommended and may improve colour depth and contrast. 

How long will this ‘limited edition’ film be available? 

As with the original Phoenix, which was also launched as a limited-edition film, we have not set a fixed date or quantity. It will likely be available while we continue to work on future colour films and to allow enough people to be able to shoot it and feedback. This will again help shape future colour films.   

Why has it taken you so long to release a follow up to the original Phoenix? 

Making colour film is not a quick or simple process. We took what we learned from the first film and broke it down component by component to see how we could improve it. We haven’t got all the way there yet, but we are getting much closer to where we want to be.  

We want you all involved in this process so the needs and wants of the community can be factored into our roadmap. We will therefore keep releasing films when we feel we have reached a sufficient step-change along this journey. 

The process is already underway for the next one, and the one after! 

What community feedback did you receive / implement from the QR code in your packaging? 

The feedback and support from the film community has been invaluable. We learnt what you liked and didn’t like about the original Phoenix. For example, many of you loved its unique characteristics while others found it challenging to shoot and scan. We learnt you wanted it in 120 format, which we delivered, and this time we have launched both formats at the same time. 

It is not possible to action all the feedback we have received but we check it all and are building it into our long-term roadmap. 

How do I process HARMAN Phoenix II? 

HARMAN Phoenix II can be developed in C41 colour chemicals. 

Is it a true ISO 200? 

We have DX Coded Phoenix II at ISO 200 and it works best between ISO 100 and 200. With certain subjects and shooting conditions, it may benefit from rating this film at either ISO 100, 125 or 160. 

What formats will HARMAN Phoenix II be available in? 

Phoenix II will launch in both 35mm (135) 36exp film and 120 format.  

Any scanning tips for HARMAN Phoenix II? 

Phoenix II is easier to scan than the original Phoenix, but to get the very best from this film, some adjustment of default scanner settings (colour balance and contrast) will be required. Detailed guidance for the main Fuji and Noritsu lab scanners is available in our technical data sheet. 

If developing / scanning at a lab, we always advocate collecting your negatives regardless of the film you are shooting. Negatives are your physical archive and will allow you to generate high resolution scans or darkroom prints in the future. 

 

HARMAN RED FAQs 

What is a redscale film? 

Redscale is the effect you get when shooting through the back of a colour film. By doing this you are exposing your image through the film’s base and the red sensitive layer first while also significantly reducing the impact of the blue sensitive layer. When accurately exposed, this typically removes blues from the image whilst creating almost monochromatic results primarily consisting of reds, oranges and yellows. 

Does this mean RED is just Phoenix upside down? 

Essentially yes. The Phoenix emulsion is an excellent option for redscale due to its high red sensitivity. By using a clear base with no anti-halation, which can reduce the speed in other redscale films, the Phoenix emulsion works well as RED has minimal speed loss. 

Is RED a limited-edition film? 

As RED is based on the Phoenix emulsion, we expect this version to be available for a limited period of time. As with Phoenix the duration of this is not defined. 

Will RED be available in other formats? 

RED is available in both 35mm (36 exposure) DX-Coded cassettes and also in 120 format. There are currently no plans to introduce this film in other formats. 

Any developing or scanning recommendations for RED? 

Our HARMAN RED technical data sheet covers recommendations for both developing and scanning the film. 

  

HARMAN PHOENIX 200 

Phoenix was your first colour film. Why had you not made one before then? 

We believe we have the broadest, and best, black & white offering in the world. Our focus and dedication to black & white has allowed us to be one of the last film manufacturers consistently making large volumes of film. It has also given us the ability and confidence to invest significantly in our operations and people. 

We’ve always known that making colour film is not something to be undertaken lightly. We needed to be confident we could not only make it, but to do so at a sufficient scale and at a price point that the community could get behind. 

We recognise that the community is currently very heavily reliant on just one or two manufacturers and that all markets need healthy competition to thrive. As a company we are fully committed to the future of film and while this is just the beginning, our aim is to ensure photographers have a sustainable choice when it comes to colour film. 

Any scanning tips for HARMAN Phoenix? 

We have carried out extensive scanning testing and have created recommended settings for the most common lab scanners such as Fuji Frontiers and Noritsus. Different scanners will give a different look to the final image and so we recommend you check that your lab is aware of these before sending your film off. 

The best method for most natural looking images is to scan as a positive and then invert in photoshop. This replicates what most flatbed / digital camera scanning processes and can be done in lab equipment such as Fuji Frontiers. 

Nb. If developing / scanning at a lab, we always advocate collecting your negatives regardless of the film you are shooting – this way you can always re-scan images yourself (or even better – print them).