Introducing Harman Phoenix II: A Leap Forward in the Future of UK Colour Film Production

Harman Technology has done it again 🤯 Just 18 months after launching Harman Phoenix - the first ever colour film to be crafted entirely from emulsion to cassette in the UK - they’re back with a new and improved iteration. Meet Harman Phoenix II: Harman’s second generation colour film - bursting with heaps of character, vintage charm, and drastically improved performance. Now available in 35mm and 120 formats, it's perfect for both curious film photography beginners and experienced medium format shooters. Even if you’re more of a classic B&W Ilford fan, or aren’t keen on experimental emulsions, there’s no denying the impact of this innovation. We think that Harman’s continued investment in their Mobberly film factory and R&D departments is something every film lover should be getting very excited about - as they work hard to build a sustainable future for our industry.

What to expect from Harman Phoenix II

Harman Phoenix II - or Harman Phoenix 2 - is a ISO 200 colour negative film available in 35mm (36 exposures) and 120 formats. The 35mm format is DX-coded for easy use in point and shoot and SLR film cameras. It is compatible with standard C-41 processing, which is widely accessible at any photo lab - including our Analogue WonderLab, who worked directly with Harman to develop the optimal scanning settings for the original Phoenix emulsion. You can also experiment with cross processing in E6 or ECN-2 chemicals for some interesting results!

Building on community feedback, Harman has refined the Phoenix emulsion to better meet the needs of modern film photographers. Phoenix II has improved true-to-life tones, finer grain, and softer contrast versus Phoenix I - all while retaining the bold, vibrant character that gave the original Phoenix its unique charm.

The Harman Phoenix II collection - available in 35mm and 120 formats.

Phoenix I vs Phoenix II: What’s the difference?

The original Harman Phoenix divided opinion among film photographers and quickly earned its status as a bit of a marmite emulsion. Some were drawn to its warm yellows, oranges and reds, coupled with its experimental vibe - I personally really liked this look! But others found it a little too wild for their taste. But from the offset, Harman made it clear that this wasn’t a race to compete against Kodak. Phoenix was all about embracing creativity, unpredictability, and just having a little bit of fun when shooting film. Enter Phoenix II: a film with purpose and polish.

With the benefit of having full control over every stage of the formulation - including tweaks to elements like the dyes - Harman has been able to fine-tune Phoenix 2 into something more refined. While it dials back on the punchy warm tones of its predecessor, it brings a new colour palette to the table: cooler blues and greens that offer a totally different look. Head out with both emulsions in your camera bag and you’ll have the best of both worlds!

Harman Phoenix (left) vs Harman Phoenix II (right) - notice the subtle differences in colour, highlights, shadows and image clarity.

For the detail obsessives out there - especially those inspecting their negatives through a loupe 👀 - the biggest changes lie in the improved contrast, grain and sharpness. The highlights and shadows retain more detail and the exposure latitude is much more forgiving. Harman suggests you can get the best results out of this film between ISO 100 - 200 and we’d be keen to see your results pushing or pulling it!

We started out this journey with Harman, helping them to optimise scanning settings for the first iteration of Phoenix (which was tough with its experimental nature!). The good news is: the understanding of how best to scan this film has come a long way since then. With Phoenix II, you’ll see more consistent lab results even at default settings. That said, we know a thing or two about getting the best results out of this film so you can trust our lab to bring your Phoenix II negatives to life!

The Phoenix family of films in their negative form. Harman Phoenix 35mm (top), Harman Red 35mm (middle) (which is Phoenix reversed!) and Harman Phoenix II 35mm (bottom).

Why should I be excited about this film launch?

We commend Harman for their thoughtful expansion of both their black and white (Ilford, Kentmere) and colour film offerings. Their approach reflects an understanding of the gap in the market and a desire to serve the needs of the analogue community. The introduction of Kentmere 200 adds a versatile, affordable option to the B&W range, while Phoenix II cleverly bridges the gap between the original Phoenix and Harman Red - a redscale reimagining of the Phoenix emulsion. It’s a smart strategy: both commercially and in line with what film photographers are asking for.

Now, you might be thinking: “I prefer to shoot black and white films over colour” or “I didn’t get on with Phoenix the first time… so why would this be any different?” That’s totally fair. Every film photographer has their own style, and that’s exactly what makes this community so vibrant.

But here’s what really matters: Harman Phoenix II is only the second colour film ever to be made entirely from scratch in the UK. That alone is a huge milestone and a sign of what’s to come. Harman isn’t just experimenting for fun (although making a colour film after years of wearing black and white glasses is pretty fun). They’re seriously investing into the future of film, from R&D to manufacturing, and Phoenix is just the beginning of their colour journey. Even if you grab a roll or two just for the amazing box design and treat it as a collector’s item, you’re still playing a part. Every purchase helps Harman take another step toward developing even more brilliant colour films for the community. It’s a team effort and we’re all in this together 🙌

The brilliant team at Harman Technology, standing proudly outside their impressive film production factory (plus Paul and Rob!) Taken on the Pentax 17 using Harman Phoenix II.

Your feedback helped shape this new release, and it will shape the next one too. So when you get your hands on Phoenix 2, don’t forget to check inside the box (it’s all part of the experience!). You’ll find a QR code to share your experience directly with Harman, helping guide future iterations of their colour film family. You can also submit feedback through this survey.

Where can I buy Harman Phoenix II?

You can buy Harman Phoenix II directly from Analogue Wonderland! Available now on our website and app. If you’re curious to try it out, treat yourself to a roll of 35mm or 120 and see what this second-generation film is all about. Already a Phoenix fan and itching to get your hands on the new iteration? We’ve got you covered with exclusive bundles and built-in discounts - only available through us. Mark the occasion properly with the Harman Phoenix II Collector’s Edition: packed with official Harman merchandise and available at 20% off - available while stocks last. It’s the best way to celebrate this monumental moment in film history (and look really cool while doing it 😎)

There’s even more to look forward to if you’re a Club AW member too, as you’ll automatically earn twice as many WonderPoints on your orders all this week - and be well on your way to redeeming vouchers for free film! To mark the occasion, we've also doubled our referral rewards so you'll get 500 WonderPoints when you invite friends to join AW. There's no better time than now to join this thriving community.

Be a part of the journey. Share your results, use #phoenixfilm2 and #harmanphoenix2, and follow @harmanphoto to stay in the loop. You can also tell us about your experience - and others looking to try out Harman Phoenix II - by leaving a review on the product pages. We cannot wait to see the incredible images you’ll create with this new and improved emulsion!