A real-world guide to UK film suppliers, current prices, and the stocks I actually use — based on years of shooting film in the field rather than reading about it online. If you’re new to film photography, start with the Film Photography Hub first.
Film photography isn’t becoming easier — it’s becoming more intentional. Not because of nostalgia, but because every decision now matters: the film you choose, the supplier you buy from, the cost per frame. And that changes how you shoot.
This guide covers where to buy film in the UK in 2026, what things currently cost, and — more usefully — which suppliers suit which kind of shooting. It’s written from the perspective of someone who shoots film regularly, not someone who has researched it from the outside.
UK Film Suppliers — Quick Comparison
| Supplier | Best For | Film Range | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analogue Wonderland | All-round | Extensive | ££ |
| AG Photographic | Budget | B&W focused | £ |
| Ilford Photo | Black & White | Specialist | ££ |
| Amazon UK | Convenience | Mainstream | ££–£££ |
| Parallax Photographic | Experimental | Creative | £££ |
| Mr Cad | Advanced | Specialist | ££ |
| Bristol Cameras | Traditional | General | ££ |
| Wex Photo Video | Retail | Limited | £££ |
| Nik & Trick | Budget | Basic | £ |
| Discount Films Direct | Bulk | General | £ |
The Reality of Film Prices in the UK (2026)
Film is no longer casual photography. The price increases of the last few years have changed the economics — and with that, the psychology — of shooting on film. Each roll now carries weight. Here’s where prices currently sit:
| Film | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kodak Gold 200 | £9–£13 | Warm, versatile |
| Kodak Ultramax 400 | £10–£14 | Everyday use |
| Ilford HP5+ | £7–£10 | Flexible B&W |
| Kentmere 400 | £5–£6 | Budget staple |
| Kodak Tri-X 400 | £12–£16 | High contrast classic |
| Lomography Lady Grey | £6–£9 | Budget B&W |
Budget B&W sits at £5–£6. Colour runs £10–£15. Premium stocks push £15–£20 or beyond. Each roll now forces intent — which, honestly, is part of the point. If you’re still working on exposure fundamentals, the Sunny 16 rule is worth understanding before you spend on premium stock.
“Where you buy film subtly shapes how you shoot it.”
Best Film for Different Conditions
This is where buying film becomes creative decision-making, not just shopping. The right stock for a winter morning in Hampshire is different from the right stock for a street scene or a low-light interior.
Low Light — Dusk, Woodland, Interiors
- Ilford HP5+ — pushes well to 1600
- Kodak Tri-X 400 — classic grain in low light
- Kentmere 400 — budget option that holds up
Landscape Photography — British Countryside
- Kodak Gold 200 — warm, flattering in good light
- Ilford FP4+ — fine grain, excellent tonal range
- Fujicolor C200 — if available, a gentle colour palette
Winter Photography — Frost, Mist, Low Light
- Kodak Ultramax 400 — handles flat winter light well
- Ilford HP5+ — reliable in cold, low-contrast conditions
- Expired colour film — unpredictability suits winter moods
Street Photography
- Ilford HP5+ — flexible, forgiving, classic look
- Kodak Tri-X 400 — high contrast, punchy shadows
- Kodak Gold 200 — for colour street work in good light
Experimental Work — Unpredictable Results
- Cine film (ECN-2 stocks) — colour shifts, unusual look
- Lomography Lady Grey — affordable, distinctive grain
- Expired film stocks — unpredictability as a creative tool
The Best UK Suppliers — With Context
Analogue Wonderland
The best all-round ecosystem for UK film photographers. Extensive range, good community resources, and reliable stock of both mainstream and harder-to-find films. If you’re looking for Ilford HP5+ alongside something more unusual, this is the first stop. analoguewonderland.co.uk →
AG Photographic
Budget-focused and B&W heavy. Good for stocking up on workhorse films like Kentmere 400 and Fomapan without overspending. Good if you want to shoot a lot and learn fast. ag-photographic.co.uk →
Ilford Photo
The foundation of UK black and white film photography. FP4+, HP5+, Delta — all made in the UK, all with a long track record. Worth buying direct if you use their films consistently. The grain characteristics across the range are distinctive and worth understanding. ilfordphoto.com →
Amazon UK
Fast, functional, and occasionally the cheapest option for mainstream stocks. Not the most interesting place to buy film, but reliable for Kodak and Ilford essentials when you need them quickly. Watch for third-party sellers with poor storage conditions. amazon.co.uk →
Parallax Photographic
A cooperative specialising in experimental and harder-to-find stocks. Worth exploring if you want to move beyond the standard range. Prices reflect the specialist nature of the stock. parallaxphotographic.coop →
Mr Cad
Darkroom supplies and specialist film. Good if you’re processing your own black and white — chemicals, paper, and film under one roof. mrcad.co.uk →
Supporting Suppliers
Bristol Cameras · Wex Photo Video · Nik & Trick · Discount Films Direct
What I Actually Use — My Real Workflow
My current film rotation
Ilford HP5+ — consistent B&W work, my primary stock
Kentmere 400 — experimentation and high-volume shoots
Kodak Gold 200 — occasional colour work
Fomapan — flexible, affordable, and the film I stock and sell
My approach is deliberately simple. I don’t rotate film constantly or chase new stocks for novelty. Familiarity with a small number of films matters more than novelty — you learn how a stock behaves in different light, in different weather, across different seasons. That knowledge compounds.
I shoot primarily B&W because it suits the landscape work I do — the Calleva Roman walls, the Watership Down chalk ridge, the atmospheric conditions of the North Hampshire countryside in winter. Colour occasionally, when it earns its place.
If you’re refining your own approach, the Film Photography Hub pulls together everything I’ve written on stocks, cameras, and technique in one place.
“Buying film in the UK isn’t just logistics anymore. It’s part of your creative identity.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the cheapest place to buy film in the UK?
For budget B&W film, AG Photographic, Nik & Trick, and Discount Films Direct consistently offer the lowest prices. Kentmere 400 and Fomapan 400 are the most affordable stocks — both capable films that suit regular shooting and experimentation. Buying in bulk from Discount Films Direct reduces the per-roll cost significantly.
Is Analogue Wonderland the best UK film supplier?
For range and all-round reliability, yes — Analogue Wonderland is the most comprehensive UK film supplier. They stock everything from budget stocks to specialist and experimental films, and their community resources are genuinely useful. For budget B&W specifically, AG Photographic is often cheaper.
How much does 35mm film cost in the UK in 2026?
Budget B&W film (Kentmere 400, Fomapan) costs £5–£6 per roll. Mid-range stocks like Ilford HP5+ run £7–£10. Colour film starts around £9–£13 for Kodak Gold and reaches £15–£20+ for premium stocks. Prices have risen significantly since 2020 and continue to edge upward.
What is the best black and white film for beginners in the UK?
Ilford HP5+ is the most forgiving and versatile B&W film for beginners — it’s flexible across a wide range of conditions and pushes well if you underexpose. Kentmere 400 is a cheaper alternative that performs well for the price. Both are widely available from most UK suppliers.
Can I buy 35mm film directly from FineArtPics?
Yes — Fomapan 35mm film is available directly from the FineArtPics film shop. Fomapan is stocked because it’s the film used most regularly here — affordable, flexible, and genuinely capable in the right hands.
