Harman Phoenix 200 is a new colour C41 negative film with high contrast, strong grain, vibrant colours, halation and unmistakably analogue. I bought three rolls to test. This blog post covers the third, and for now, the final roll of Phoenix 200.

My first roll of Phoenix 200 was fairly successful. The second roll I shot in the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas. I think that was mostly OK.

In order to mix things up a bit, I went for a day on the coast, near Motril in Southern Spain. If you don’t know where that is, the GPS location links under the photos will show you exactly where the photos were taken. I thought it would be interesting to see how the film copes with a very bright environment with plenty of blues.

Film photo details

I took all the photos on this page using a Pentax MX camera with Harman Phoenix 200 film rated at 133 ISO. Aperture and shutter settings are provided below every photo. I developed the film using a Tetenal ColorTec C41 kit for 9 minutes @30C.

The photos were digitised using a Nikon Z6 mirrorless digital camera with a Tokina AT-X Pro Macro 100mm f2.8 D lens and processed using SmartConvert and Capture One software.

Below is every photo from my third roll of Harman Phoenix 200 film: the good, the bad and the ugly. I think these are some of the best photos I have taken using the film.

Click on any photo to see a larger version.

A colour film photo of a cluster of palm trees on the beach shot into the sun. The palm trees appear as silhouettes.
Palm trees on the beach - shot into the early morning sun
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/60 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of cafes on a paved promenade with a terrific sea view.
Cafes along the seafront
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo looking up at palm trees silhouetted against the sky.
Palm tree silhoettes. I think this photo held up pretty well as it was shot straight into the sun (I positioned the sun behind the second palm tree).
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo looking out to sea. In the foreground is a deserted beach with a rocky outcrop and a lifeguard lookout hut on the left. On the right is a group of Palm trees with an elongated timber gazebo structure beneath.
Sea view
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of a beach with a lifeguard lookout hut and the sea beyond.
The lifeguard lookout hut
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of a beach with a lifeguard lookout hut and the sea beyond.
Sea view
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of a sandy beach and coastline with apartment blocks in the distance.
Looking towards Motril
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of a grout of palm trees on the beach, with an elongated timber gazebo structure beneath.
On the beach
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of palm trees on the beach with the Church of Our Lady of Carmen behind
Church of Our Lady of Carmen by the sea
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of a small rocky peninsula and waves breaking on the beach.
A small rocky peninsula
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo looking along the shoreline. The sun is reflecting brightly off the sea. On the left, there are apartment blocks along the coastline.
The shoreline. Is it my imagination, or are the highlights blowing out less on this film'
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of a number of small boats on the beach behind a rope fence.
Boats on the beach
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo looking out to sea. In the foreground is a deserted beach with a rocky outcrop and a lifeguard lookout hut on the right.
The lifeguard's lookout
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo looking out to sea. In the foreground is a deserted beach with a rocky outcrop and a lifeguard lookout hut on the right. On the sea horizon, there is a sailing boat.
The lifeguard's lookout
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of a roped fence on the left casting long shadows onto the beach.
Shadows on the sand
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A portrait colour film photo of tall palm trees on the beach with the sea beyond.
Palm trees on the beach
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo looking along the shoreline. The sun is reflecting brightly off the sea. On the left, there are apartment blocks along the coastline.
The coastline
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of small boats on the beach behind a rope fence. A lifeguard's lookout hut is in the distance with the sea beyond.
Boats on the beach
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo looking down and along the coastline. The sea is a lovely deep blue. The view in the distance is hazy.
The coastline
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of a rocky cliff with the sea below.
A rocky cliff
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo looking out to sea with the Sacratif Lighthouse in the foreground.
Sacratif Lighthouse
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of a palm-lined asphalt road leading up to Sacratif Lighthouse
Sacratif Lighthouse
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of cacti against a blue sky.
Cacti
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo looking down and along the coastline. There is a secluded bay in the foreground.
The coastline
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of steps zig-zagging down to a sandy beach.
Steps down to the beach. It was the square postcaps reflecting the light that caught my eye.
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of people walking across a suspended walkway spanning a small gorge.
A suspended walkway. The interesting feature was the glass section in the middle.
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8, GPS location
A colour film photo of the coastline. There are sandy beaches with groups of palm trees. Apartment blocks are on the RHS. The view of the land in the distance is hazy.
The coastline looking towards Motril
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of people walking along the seafront on the promenade. The main subjects are framed by posts supporting a sunshade. Two sailing boats are visible out at sea in the distance.
My attempt at 'street photography' on the coast. Not something I do much.
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of an elderly couple next to a small palm tree looking out to see. The lady is sitting on a low wall.
Admiring the view
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of red flowering bush in the front garden of an apartment block.
Flowering bush. In real life, the flowers were a much more vibrant red.
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 16, GPS location
A colour film photo of a children's play area with swings and climbing frames on the beach amongst palm trees.
Childrens play area
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of a tiny scooter parked by the kerb next to a car. It looks like a child's toy, but it looks like a very accurate replica of a full-sized scooter.
A tiny scooter
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 11, GPS location
A colour film photo of oranges growing on a tree.
On the way back from the coast, I stopped off in the Lecrin Valley, famous for oranges...
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 5.6, GPS location
A colour film photo of lemons growing on a tree
...and lemons
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 5.6, GPS location
A colour film photo of an almond tree in blossom, with a bench below.
Almond tree in blossom
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 5.6
A colour film photo of an almond tree branch smothered in blossom.
Almond blossom
Camera: Pentax MX, Lens: Asahi SMC Pentax M 1:1.7 50 mm, Exposure Time: 1/125 sec, f 8

Film roll No 378.