Dispatches from
the darkroom.
News, field notes, and deep-dives on film photography — written by shooters, for shooters. New frames every week.
Polaroid Reclaimed Purple 600: Psychedelic Film From Factory Waste
Polaroid's Reclaimed Purple 600, announced May 28, 2026, is an experimental ISO 640 instant film built from leftover factory chemistry. Here is what the $18.99 Member-Exclusive pack does, why it looks monochromatic purple, and how to document a limited-run emulsion before it disappears.
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Roll June 2026
3 frames · sorted newest
Film stocksNo, Fujifilm Isn't Killing Black-and-White Film
In May 2026 a mistranslated Threads post set off panic that Fujifilm was discontinuing black-and-white film. Here is what the announcement actually said, why film shooters believed it on sight, and how to stay calm without panic-buying.
CamerasRewindPix: The $1.1M Screen-Free Camera That Fakes Film
RewindPix, a screen-free digital compact built to mimic the ritual of shooting film, closed its Kickstarter at $1,143,077 from roughly 7,589 backers, about 76 times its goal. A film shooter's honest take on why it borrows the language of rolls and stocks.
NewsOptiColour 200 Comes to 4x5: A New Color Sheet Film, an Old Emulsion
Optik Oldschool's OptiColour 200 arrives in 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10 sheets at EUR 79.90 for 25, a rare new color-negative option for large format. But it is the Wolfen NC200 emulsion under a new name, so per-format cost and your own EI are what really matter.
Roll April 2026
16 frames · showing first 6
Film stocksKodak Verita 200D: The First New Film Emulsion in Years
Kodak just announced Verita 200D, a brand-new color negative motion picture film developed for Euphoria Season 3. Over one million feet exposed. Here's what it means for film photography.
CommunityAnalogCon LA: Inside the First Analog Photography Convention
The first-ever AnalogCon brought 12+ exhibitors, photo walks, and panel discussions to Downtown LA. Freestyle Photo turned 80. Here's what happened and why it matters.
NewsFilm Dominates the 2026 Oscars: What It Means for Analog Photography
Six of ten Best Picture nominees were shot on film. Sinners won Best Cinematography on IMAX 65mm. Autumn Durald Arkapaw made history. Here's why Hollywood's film revival matters for still photographers.
CamerasVZ-6617: The Medium Format Camera That Switches Aspect Ratios Mid-Roll
The VZ-6617 uses a 3D-printed articulating mask to switch between 6x6 and 6x17 on the same roll of 120 film. Kickstarter launches April 14. Here's everything we know.
NewsThe Analog Boom Has a Supply Chain Problem
Film demand has tripled since 2020. But only two companies make development chemicals at scale, and critical ingredients come from single sources in China and India. The analog revival is real — and shockingly fragile.
CommunityDPReview Launches Analog April: A Global Film Photography Challenge
DPReview invites film photographers worldwide to submit their best analog shots for the Analog April challenge. Any format, any era, color or black and white. Submissions open April 12-18.
Essential reading.
If you're new here — these are the deep-dives and guides we'd hand to any photographer with a roll in their camera and questions on their mind.
Film ISO Explained: How to Choose the Right Film Speed
What does ISO mean on film? Learn how film speed affects grain, exposure, and image quality, and how to pick the right ISO for any situation.
How to Develop Film at Home: Complete Beginner's Guide
Step-by-step guide to developing film at home. Learn the equipment, chemicals, and process for B&W and C-41 color development on a budget.
How to Use a Light Meter for Film Photography
Master light metering for film with this practical guide. Incident vs reflected, Sunny 16, tricky situations, and phone meter apps explained.
9 Best 35mm Film Cameras Under $100 in 2026 (Tested)
From Pentax K1000 to Olympus Trip 35 — the 9 best 35mm film cameras under $100 in 2026, ranked by reliability, optics, and how they actually feel to shoot.