Lomography Color Negative 800 Review: Affordable High-Speed Film
Film photographers debate Lomography 800 endlessly: some praise its warm colors, wide exposure latitude, and affordable price that rivals Portra 800. Others question whether quality control issues (edge fogging, film curling, inconsistent availability) justify choosing it over premium alternatives. The debate centers on whether Lomography 800's budget-friendly performance is worth the occasional reliability concerns.
Verdict (TL;DR)
Lomography Color Negative 800 delivers warm saturated colors, natural skin tones, fine grain, and wide exposure latitude at nearly half the cost of Portra 800. Best for portraits, indoor photography, and low-light shooting where budget matters.
Who it's for
Portrait photographers who want warm skin tones, budget-conscious shooters needing ISO 800 speed, indoor photographers requiring fast film, travel photographers shooting mixed lighting, and photographers willing to accept occasional quality control quirks for significant cost savings.
Lomography Color Negative 800 Background
Lomography introduced Color Negative 800 as part of their Color Negative line (alongside 100 and 400 speeds), positioning it as an affordable high-speed daylight-balanced film. It's likely manufactured by Kodak (unconfirmed), though it's definitely not identical to Portra 800. Available in 35mm and 120 formats, typically sold in convenient 3-packs.
The film is processed in standard C-41 chemistry at any lab. Key features include ISO 800 speed, warm color palette, natural skin tones, fine grain for the speed, wide exposure latitude, and notably affordable pricing at $6-9 per roll compared to $10-15 for Portra 800. Within the film community, Lomography 800 has built a reputation as a budget-friendly alternative to Portra 800 with similar performance characteristics, though it does come with occasional quality control quirks like edge fogging or film curling.
The Film Look, Accessible Now
Understanding what makes Lomography 800 special (warm colors, wide latitude, affordable speed) separates true film appreciation from casual shooting. At Daydream, we focus on authentic film emulations with real-time processing. While we don't replicate every specialty film, we offer accessible ways to capture cinematic aesthetics when loading high-speed film isn't practical. Use Daydream for free, no subscription or ads.
Lomography Color Negative 800 Image Characteristics
Color & Tone
Lomography 800's color palette is warm and saturated in a way that's quite appealing. Reds are deep and warm, blues are calm and accurate, while greens glow with real vibrancy. Skin tones are natural and flattering with a warm pink cast that works well for portraits. The film shows a slightly vintage look that adds character. Colors can lean slightly green in some lighting situations, which is worth noting. The film is more sensitive to reds than Portra 800, creating a pink hue under certain light that can be beautiful or problematic. Think warm, rich, slightly nostalgic, this is budget film with personality. Color intensity is medium-high with good saturation throughout. The film handles tungsten and mixed lighting exceptionally well, which is impressive. Overexposing 1-2 stops produces lovely pastel shades. The overall mood is warm, inviting, and classic.
Contrast & Dynamic Range
Lomography 800 delivers wide exposure latitude that's comparable to Portra 800, possibly 12+ stops, which is remarkable for the price. The film handles variable lighting with ease, making it versatile. Shadow detail is excellent and well-preserved. Highlights are genuinely hard to blow, retaining detail well even in harsh conditions. Contrast is higher than Portra 800, creating a punchier look that some prefer. The film preserves detail across a wide range despite the high speed. In bright sun, the film produces bright, colorful photos with pop. In low light, the film maintains detail without falling apart. The shoulder and toe behavior is forgiving and flexible. Shoot at box speed (ISO 800) for best results, though overexposing 1-2 stops works well and reduces grain.
Grain & Sharpness
Lomography 800 shows fine grain for an ISO 800 film, which is impressive at this price point. In 120 format, grain is rarely noticeable, giving you smooth results. In 35mm, grain is visible but not overwhelming or distracting. Sharpness is good with defined edges throughout the frame. The grain has real character, sharp-edged, well-defined, and adds texture to images. Resolution is decent with fine detail that holds up well. Grain structure is comparable to Portra 800, which is high praise. In half-frame, grain becomes more prominent but remains manageable. This grain actually adds to the vintage character rather than detracting. Grain is more noticeable on smooth areas like bokeh, as expected.
How to Shoot Lomography 800: Portrait Photography, Indoor Photography, and More
Lomography 800 thrives in variable lighting from bright sun to low light indoors.
Box Speed, Pushing & Pulling
Lomography 800 is rated at ISO 800. Shoot at box speed for best results with balanced colors and contrast. Overexpose 1-2 stops (shoot at ISO 400 or ISO 200) for brighter pastel tones. The film handles overexposure well. Underexposing can result in muddy images. Most photographers shoot at ISO 400 for safety margin. Develop normally in C-41 regardless of exposure. The film's wide latitude forgives exposure errors.
Ideal Lighting & Metering
Lomography 800 works in any lighting from bright sun to dim interiors. In bright sunlight, the film produces vibrant saturated colors. In low light, the film maintains detail. For indoor shooting, the film handles tungsten and mixed lighting exceptionally well. Meter for midtones or err toward overexposure. The film loves light and rewards generous exposure. In golden hour, the film produces colder colors than Portra. At night, the film performs well. The ISO 800 speed gives flexibility for early morning and late evening shooting.
Best Cameras for Lomography 800: Mamiya 6, Pentax 67, and More
Lomography 800 works in any camera but shines in medium format. Medium format cameras (Mamiya 6, Pentax 67, Hasselblad 500CM, Fuji GF670) minimize grain for stunning results. 35mm cameras (Leica M-series, Canon AE-1, Nikon F3) work great for travel and street. Point-and-shoots benefit from ISO 800 speed. The film's forgiving nature suits all camera types. Note: 120 format can have "fat roll" issues in some cameras, potentially causing light leaks.
Scanning & Post-Processing (Digitizing Your Results)
Lab Scans vs Home Scanning
Labs handle Lomography 800 well with standard C-41 processing. The film scans with neutral starting point requiring adjustment. When scanning at home, the film is exceptionally thin, making it hard to maneuver in dark bag. Film curls significantly after drying, requiring weights. The curl makes flatbed scanning challenging. Use film holders with pressure to keep flat. Some rolls show edge fogging from light leakage, indicating manufacturing tolerance issues. Handle with extra care during loading and unloading.
Digital Flexibility & Grading
Lomography 800's neutral character means results are affected by digitization process. The film makes it easy to process photos to your liking. Colors, contrast, and saturation are all adjustable. Small "muddy warm" color cast may be present. The film takes color grading well. You can emphasize warm tones or cool them down. Contrast adjustment brings images to life. Most shooters add moderate contrast and saturation in post.
When Lomography 800 Shines: Portrait Photography and Indoor Photography
Best for: Portrait photography (flattering skin tones), indoor photography (handles tungsten well), low-light photography (ISO 800 speed), travel photography (versatile lighting), mixed lighting situations (excellent handling), night photography (good alternative to CineStill), wedding photography (budget option), environmental portraits (wide latitude), street photography (fast speed).
Struggles with: Situations requiring absolute consistency (occasional QC issues), photographers needing guaranteed reliability (edge fogging possible), tight budgets requiring single rolls (sold in 3-packs), situations requiring flattest film (curls significantly), cameras sensitive to film thickness (may cause "fat rolls"), photographers wanting cooler tones (warm palette).
If you need X, shoot Y instead:
- •"Need guaranteed consistency" → Kodak Portra 800
- •"Need cooler tones" → CineStill 800T (tungsten) or Portra 800
- •"Need single rolls" → Kodak Portra 800 or CineStill 800T
- •"Need slower speed" → Lomography 400 or Kodak Portra 400
Lomography 800 vs Kodak Portra 800, CineStill 800T, and Fuji Superia 800
If you're considering Lomography 800, you're probably curious about other ISO 800 options. Kodak Portra 800 offers more consistent quality but costs nearly double. CineStill 800T provides tungsten balance and halation effect but costs even more. Fuji Superia 800 (discontinued) was photojournalist favorite. Lomography 800 sits in the budget niche: similar performance to Portra at half the cost.
Choose Lomography 800 if you want warm colors and significant cost savings. Choose Portra 800 for guaranteed consistency. Choose CineStill 800T for night photography with halation effect.
* Prices as of December 2025 – always fluctuating. Check current suppliers.
| Film | Why choose it | Where it loses vs Lomography 800 | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kodak Portra 800 | More consistent quality, slightly wider dynamic range, professional standard | Double the cost, less contrast | $10-15/roll |
| CineStill 800T | Tungsten balanced, halation effect, night photography | More expensive, needs 85B filter in daylight | $13-15/roll |
| Lomography 400 | Slower speed, similar color palette, budget option | Less versatile in low light | $6-9/roll |
Digital Alternative (When You Can't Shoot Film)
Lomography 800's warm saturated colors can be approximated digitally with careful color grading. While our Daydream preset offers balanced cinematic looks, it doesn't specifically replicate Lomography 800's warm vintage character. For photographers wanting this aesthetic digitally, warm color grading with lifted shadows and gentle contrast can get close. However, the film's unique grain structure and organic color shifts remain difficult to replicate perfectly.
Is Lomography 800 Worth It in 2025?
Lomography 800 is available in 35mm and 120 (3-packs only). As of December 2025, expect to pay $15-18 for 3-pack 35mm ($5-6 per roll), $24-28 for 3-pack 120 ($8-9 per roll). It's affordable, nearly half Portra 800 cost. Limited availability with frequent stock-outs at B&H, Freestyle, and Lomography website.
At $6-9 per roll, Lomography 800 is budget-friendly for ISO 800 film. Worth it for photographers who want Portra-like performance at half the cost and can accept occasional quality control quirks. Not worth it for critical professional work. Bottom line: if you shoot portraits, need ISO 800 speed, and want to save money, Lomography 800 justifies its budget price as versatile workhorse.
Film's Timeless Look, Instantly Accessible
Film stocks like Lomography 800 represent accessible high-speed photography. The warm colors make it popular. At Daydream, we focus on authentic emulations of classic films. While we can't replicate every specialty stock, we offer accessible ways to capture cinematic aesthetics for everyday shooting. Our app is free, no subscription or ads. For Lomography 800's specific warm look, shooting the actual film offers best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lomography 800 worth it in 2025?
In 2025, Lomography 800 costs around $6-9 per roll, making it affordable for ISO 800 film. Worth it for photographers who want warm colors, natural skin tones, and wide exposure latitude at half the cost of Portra 800. If you shoot portraits, indoor photography, or low-light situations and can accept occasional quality control issues, the significant cost savings justify choosing Lomography 800. For critical professional work requiring guaranteed consistency, Portra 800 offers better reliability. In short, if budget matters and you embrace film's organic character, Lomography 800 is absolutely worth it.
Lomography 800 vs Portra 800 – what's the difference?
Comparing Lomography 800 to Kodak Portra 800: both are ISO 800 daylight-balanced films with similar performance. Lomography 800 costs nearly half ($6-9 vs $10-15 per roll), shows higher contrast, and is more sensitive to reds (creating pink hue in certain light). Portra 800 offers more consistent quality, slightly wider dynamic range, and more neutral color. Lomography 800 may have quality control issues (edge fogging, curling). Choose Lomography 800 for budget-friendly warm portraits. Choose Portra 800 for professional consistency.
What ISO should I shoot Lomography 800 at?
Lomography 800 is rated at ISO 800. Shoot at box speed for best balanced results. Many photographers overexpose 1-2 stops (shoot at ISO 400 or ISO 200) for brighter tones and additional highlight protection. The film handles overexposure well and benefits from extra light. Underexposing can result in muddy images. Most shooters use ISO 400 as safety margin. Develop normally in C-41 regardless of exposure. The film's wide latitude forgives exposure errors.
Does Lomography 800 work in low light?
Yes, Lomography 800 excels in low light. The ISO 800 speed provides flexibility for dim interiors, early morning, late evening, and mixed lighting situations. The film maintains detail without grain explosion in low light. It handles tungsten and mixed lighting exceptionally well. The wide exposure latitude preserves shadow detail. For night photography, Lomography 800 is good alternative to CineStill 800T. The high speed makes it ideal for indoor shooting without flash.
How do you scan Lomography 800?
Lomography 800 scans require special handling. The film is exceptionally thin, making it hard to load on reels for home development. Film curls significantly after drying (horizontal dimension), requiring weights and pressure during flatbed scanning. Use film holders with good pressure to keep flat. Some rolls show edge fogging from manufacturing. The film scans with neutral starting point requiring contrast and saturation adjustment. Most labs handle C-41 processing without issues. Expect to add contrast in post-processing.
What subjects work best with Lomography 800?
Lomography 800 works best for portraits with its flattering warm skin tones. Excellent for indoor photography with tungsten lighting. Great for travel photography in variable lighting. Works well for environmental portraits, street photography, restaurant interiors, and mixed lighting situations. The ISO 800 speed handles low light beautifully. Also good for landscapes in softer light and night photography. The warm color palette suits subjects where natural warm tones are desired.
Can you use Lomography 800 for portraits?
Yes, Lomography 800 excels for portraits. The film renders skin tones naturally with warm flattering cast. Works beautifully regardless of subject's skin color. The wide exposure latitude handles mixed lighting on faces. Fine grain in medium format produces stunning portrait detail. Many photographers prefer Lomography 800 over Portra for warm skin tone aesthetic. The affordable price makes it practical for portrait sessions. Couple with fast lens for beautiful bokeh and color blending.
Why is Lomography 800 often out of stock?
Lomography 800 is frequently out of stock due to limited production batches and high demand for affordable ISO 800 film. Lomography appears to manufacture in small quantities, avoiding large inventory. The film's popularity as budget alternative to Portra 800 creates demand exceeding supply. Retailers like B&H sell out within days or weeks. When you find Lomography 800 in stock, buy multiple 3-packs to ensure supply for upcoming months.
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