Looking for budget ISO 800 options
p.1 #1Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Are there any budget-friendly options for ISO 800 film that still look great? I've shot Portra 800 and love the look, but it's over $20 a roll these days (35mm, 36-exposures). Is there a more affordable alternative, like how Kodak and Fuji offer lower-speed films (ISO 100 or 200)? If so, which one is the most popular choice?
Jan 27, 2026 at 11:31 AM
p.1 #2Looking for budget ISO 800 options
There used to be flick film auora 800, but I haven't seen it for sale in a while. Lomo 800 isnt much cheaper it seems either.
If you can get the kodak disposables cheap and extract them out via a dark change bag, but its only 24 exp
If you can get the kodak disposables cheap and extract them out via a dark change bag, but its only 24 exp
Jan 27, 2026 at 12:08 PM
p.1 #3Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Once upon a time it was Lomo 800. But now the prices seem to be the same if not more than Portra 800!
Fyi Amber 800, Aurora 800 etc is just repackaged Eastman 5219 which is an ISO 500 tungsten film.
Fyi Amber 800, Aurora 800 etc is just repackaged Eastman 5219 which is an ISO 500 tungsten film.
Jan 27, 2026 at 12:25 PM
p.1 #4Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Bulk rolls 500T AHU are out there somewhere.
Flic Film 800 is sold out but wasn't a huge cost saver anyways.
Not many great options otherwise. I miss Fuji 800.
Flic Film 800 is sold out but wasn't a huge cost saver anyways.
Not many great options otherwise. I miss Fuji 800.
Jan 27, 2026 at 12:27 PM
p.1 #5Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Desmolicious wrote:
Aurora 800 etc is just repackaged Eastman 5219 which is an ISO 500 tungsten film.
Aurora 800 was def not cine film.
Aurora 800 etc is just repackaged Eastman 5219 which is an ISO 500 tungsten film.
Aurora 800 was def not cine film.
Jan 27, 2026 at 12:37 PM
p.1 #6Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Kentmere 400 pushed 😅
More seriously, I don’t think there’s currently a good alternative available to Portra 800..
Recently reorganized my negative archive and noticed some Superia 1600 pictures from around 2014.. those were the days.. 😭
More seriously, I don’t think there’s currently a good alternative available to Portra 800..
Recently reorganized my negative archive and noticed some Superia 1600 pictures from around 2014.. those were the days.. 😭
Jan 27, 2026 at 12:51 PM
p.1 #7Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Desmolicious wrote:
Once upon a time it was Lomo 800. But now the prices seem to be the same if not more than Portra 800!
Fyi Amber 800, Aurora 800 etc is just repackaged Eastman 5219 which is an ISO 500 tungsten film.
It isn't vision 3 500t. More closer to the Kodak 800 from Lomo or the disposable that come with 800 iso Kodak film in it
Once upon a time it was Lomo 800. But now the prices seem to be the same if not more than Portra 800!
Fyi Amber 800, Aurora 800 etc is just repackaged Eastman 5219 which is an ISO 500 tungsten film.
It isn't vision 3 500t. More closer to the Kodak 800 from Lomo or the disposable that come with 800 iso Kodak film in it
Jan 27, 2026 at 01:38 PM
p.1 #8Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Fujifilm 400 at $8 per roll, Portra 400 at $15 ?
Jan 27, 2026 at 01:47 PM
p.1 #9Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Midwest is selling Portra 800 for $16.39 which is well under $20+ if that helps. It is in stock currently.
https://mpex.com/kodak-professional-portra-800-color-negative-film-35mm-roll-film-36-exposures.html
About the cheapest price you're going to find.
I believe FlicFIlm is no longer repackaging/reselling the Aurora 800 film and it isn't coming back. I'm down to my last two rolls.
https://mpex.com/kodak-professional-portra-800-color-negative-film-35mm-roll-film-36-exposures.html
About the cheapest price you're going to find.
I believe FlicFIlm is no longer repackaging/reselling the Aurora 800 film and it isn't coming back. I'm down to my last two rolls.
Jan 27, 2026 at 03:42 PM
p.1 #10Looking for budget ISO 800 options
geekcop wrote:
Midwest is selling Portra 800 for $16.39 which is well under $20+ if that helps. It is in stock currently.
https://mpex.com/kodak-professional-portra-800-color-negative-film-35mm-roll-film-36-exposures.html
About the cheapest price you're going to find.
I believe FlicFIlm is no longer repackaging/reselling the Aurora 800 film and it isn't coming back. I'm down to my last two rolls.
Out of stock.
Midwest is selling Portra 800 for $16.39 which is well under $20+ if that helps. It is in stock currently.
https://mpex.com/kodak-professional-portra-800-color-negative-film-35mm-roll-film-36-exposures.html
About the cheapest price you're going to find.
I believe FlicFIlm is no longer repackaging/reselling the Aurora 800 film and it isn't coming back. I'm down to my last two rolls.
Out of stock.
Jan 27, 2026 at 03:49 PM
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p.1 #11Looking for budget ISO 800 options
aw614 wrote:
Fyi Amber 800, Aurora 800 etc is just repackaged Eastman 5219 which is an ISO 500 tungsten film.It isn't vision 3 500t. More closer to the Kodak 800 from Lomo or the disposable that come with 800 iso Kodak film in it
Amber 800 actually says Eastman 5219 on the film strip.
Desmolicious wrote
Once upon a time it was Lomo 800. But now the prices seem to be the same if not more than Portra 800!Fyi Amber 800, Aurora 800 etc is just repackaged Eastman 5219 which is an ISO 500 tungsten film.
Amber 800 actually says Eastman 5219 on the film strip.
Jan 27, 2026 at 03:51 PM
p.1 #12Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Desmolicious wrote:
https://mpex.com/kodak-professional-portra-800-color-negative-film-35mm-roll-film-36-exposures.html
About the cheapest price you're going to find.
I believe FlicFIlm is no longer repackaging/reselling the Aurora 800 film and it isn't coming back. I'm down to my last two rolls.Out of stock.
I'm showing it in stock still. YMMV. And Amber and Aurora are two different films with similar names.
geekcop wrote
Midwest is selling Portra 800 for $16.39 which is well under $20+ if that helps. It is in stock currently.https://mpex.com/kodak-professional-portra-800-color-negative-film-35mm-roll-film-36-exposures.html
About the cheapest price you're going to find.
I believe FlicFIlm is no longer repackaging/reselling the Aurora 800 film and it isn't coming back. I'm down to my last two rolls.
I'm showing it in stock still. YMMV. And Amber and Aurora are two different films with similar names.
Jan 27, 2026 at 04:02 PM
p.1 #13Looking for budget ISO 800 options
geekcop wrote:
https://mpex.com/kodak-professional-portra-800-color-negative-film-35mm-roll-film-36-exposures.html
About the cheapest price you're going to find.
I believe FlicFIlm is no longer repackaging/reselling the Aurora 800 film and it isn't coming back. I'm down to my last two rolls.Out of stock.I'm showing it in stock still. YMMV. And Amber and Aurora are two different films with similar names.
Ahhh you Sir, are correct!
Desmolicious wrote
geekcop wrote
Midwest is selling Portra 800 for $16.39 which is well under $20+ if that helps. It is in stock currently.https://mpex.com/kodak-professional-portra-800-color-negative-film-35mm-roll-film-36-exposures.html
About the cheapest price you're going to find.
I believe FlicFIlm is no longer repackaging/reselling the Aurora 800 film and it isn't coming back. I'm down to my last two rolls.
Ahhh you Sir, are correct!
Jan 27, 2026 at 04:17 PM
p.1 #15Looking for budget ISO 800 options
geekcop wrote:
That's weird. I'm never right.
How dare you suggest such a thing!
This is a very good find and answers the question Frederick posted.
That's weird. I'm never right.
How dare you suggest such a thing!
This is a very good find and answers the question Frederick posted.
Jan 27, 2026 at 04:26 PM
p.1 #16Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Aurora 800 is gone from Flic Film's website (Aurora 400 is there, but not 800): https://flicfilm.ca/film-and-paper/ I never saw an official announcement from them that they've stopped selling it, but I've heard many reports that they have, and the fact that it's no longer on their site supports this.
My local film stores still have a decent supply of it, but it's gotten very expensive. I have two rolls left in my fridge but won't buy any more.
At this point I think we just have to wait and see what affordable fast C-41 film stocks start appearing from China over the next few years. Speaking of which:
Reflx Lab is now selling AHU (C-41) cine film, including 640T: https://reflxlab.com/en-ca/collections/ahu-film for $13/roll.
and their 800T (C-41) is pretty affordable as well: $40 for 3 rolls: https://reflxlab.com/en-ca/products/pre-order-reflx-lab-800t-tungsten-color-negative-35mm-film
those are not daylight-balanced films however.
My local film stores still have a decent supply of it, but it's gotten very expensive. I have two rolls left in my fridge but won't buy any more.
At this point I think we just have to wait and see what affordable fast C-41 film stocks start appearing from China over the next few years. Speaking of which:
Reflx Lab is now selling AHU (C-41) cine film, including 640T: https://reflxlab.com/en-ca/collections/ahu-film for $13/roll.
and their 800T (C-41) is pretty affordable as well: $40 for 3 rolls: https://reflxlab.com/en-ca/products/pre-order-reflx-lab-800t-tungsten-color-negative-35mm-film
those are not daylight-balanced films however.
Jan 27, 2026 at 04:29 PM
p.1 #17Looking for budget ISO 800 options
But you lose about 2/3-stop with the 85B so ISO 800 is like 500. 
EBH
EBH
Jan 27, 2026 at 04:42 PM
p.1 #18Looking for budget ISO 800 options
I don't think there is a budget ISO 800 film. I was thinking about this same problem the other day.
Jan 28, 2026 at 01:32 AM
p.1 #19Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Desmolicious wrote:
Amber 800 actually says Eastman 5219 on the film strip.
I just looked at my Flic Film Aurora sheet and it doesn't have any ID on it at all.
Amber 800 actually says Eastman 5219 on the film strip.
I just looked at my Flic Film Aurora sheet and it doesn't have any ID on it at all.
Jan 28, 2026 at 12:24 PM
p.1 #20Looking for budget ISO 800 options
Fred Miranda wrote:
Are there any budget-friendly options for ISO 800 film that still look great? I've shot Portra 800 and love the look, but it's over $20 a roll these days (35mm, 36-exposures).
If I were you I'd just shoot Portra 800 if you love the look, despite the high cost.
Or shoot Portra 400 at 800.
I haven't done the latter (because I really like the Portra 800 look, and because here in Germany the 400 is almost as expensive as the 800 anyways - €20 vs. €22.50 - so it doesn't really matter, yet I'm aware the 400 is quite a bit cheaper in the US).
Portra 400 can definitely handle one stop of underexposure, try it and see whether you like it?
Oh and there's CineStill 800T..
I'm not doing any nighttime shots involving artificial lights, but if you do.. it can look really nice if done right I think.
Are there any budget-friendly options for ISO 800 film that still look great? I've shot Portra 800 and love the look, but it's over $20 a roll these days (35mm, 36-exposures).
If I were you I'd just shoot Portra 800 if you love the look, despite the high cost.
Or shoot Portra 400 at 800.
I haven't done the latter (because I really like the Portra 800 look, and because here in Germany the 400 is almost as expensive as the 800 anyways - €20 vs. €22.50 - so it doesn't really matter, yet I'm aware the 400 is quite a bit cheaper in the US).
Portra 400 can definitely handle one stop of underexposure, try it and see whether you like it?
Oh and there's CineStill 800T..
I'm not doing any nighttime shots involving artificial lights, but if you do.. it can look really nice if done right I think.
Jan 28, 2026 at 01:58 PM