Well done, Harman Photo—you’ve definitely kept us film photographers on our toes with the release of Phoenix Red 125, a redscale film that’s as bold as its name. I don’t usually reach for experimental stocks that lean into wild, shifting colours, but after shooting my first roll of this “Red” stuff, I have to admit—I’m loving the results.
These images were captured during a photowalk from Woolwich to Greenwich, organised by Yant Martin-Keyte via the PhotoWalk.Me website. I shot with my trusty Pentax MX, alternating between 50mm and 28mm lenses, rating the film at ISO 100. Development was done at home using Cinestill’s C41 kit. The negatives came out clean and easy to scan using a Plustek Opticfilm scanner, with the telltale warm hues already visible even before digital post.
Scroll down to see the results—and a few thoughts on where this film might fit into my analogue toolkit.
First Impressions
This film definitely has a look. Think warm, rich reds, oranges, and burnt yellows—classic redscale aesthetics, but with a bit more consistency and control than some other DIY or niche options I’ve tried in the past.
- In bright light, the reds become dominant – Planet Mars vibes for sure.
- In shadows and overcast conditions, things shift – gritty, moody, cinematic, but shadows fall off quickly so give this LOTS of exposure if that is important to you.
- The grain is noticeable but not intrusive, with a texture that suits the film’s personality.
Will I Use It Again?
Honestly, yes—but with intention. This isn’t an everyday stock for me, but I can see Phoenix Red 125 being a great choice for certain creative projects. Street scenes, abstract shots, urban decay—it’s perfect when you’re looking to shake things up or inject a new energy into your work.
Final Thoughts
I may not be a redscale regular, but Harman’s Phoenix Red 125 is fun, expressive, and well worth a try if you’re after something different. It’s also exciting to see a respected name in film photography continuing to innovate and keep the analogue scene alive. Harman – I do love you. 🥰
What do you think of these results? Have you used Harman’s Phoenix Red yet?
A big shout out to Peggy for gifting me this roll before I could get hold of it myself. Read Peggy’s impressions here: https://cameragocamera.com/2025/05/29/photo-post-harman-redscale/
Learn more about Harman Photo’s Red 35mm film here. And as always, if you got this far, thanks for reading.
