Black and white photography will always be close to my heart. It’s how I first learned and what I always find myself longing for. Being able to slow down, breathe, and make every frame count is a luxury. I always look forward to photographing with new film and I was excited to test the Lomography Fantome 8 film.
The ultra-slow black-and-white film stock will require users to carry a tripod if they don’t have steady hands. Don’t worry, it is worth it. Lomography boasts that it elevates your monochrome image with added contrast. Is it worth the moderate $8.90 price tag? Keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
The Big Picture
Lomography Kino Fantome 8 film is an ultra-slow black and white negative film. The 35mm film stock produces high-contrast images that are ideal for flatly lit scenes. It is possible to capture images handheld, although carrying a tripod for slower shutter speeds that ISO 8 can require is always a good idea.
The black and white 35mm film makes for beautiful portraits, excellent landscapes, and striking urban scenes in low light. The contrast may be too much on sunny and partly cloudy days. In these cases, it’s easy to crush the details in the highlights and shadows.
Photographers who appreciate contrast and enjoy taking their time to compose a scene will appreciate this filmstock. It is an excellent choice for creative portraits, urbanscapes, and landscapes when you want a little extra contrast.
We are giving the Lomography Kino Fantome ISO 8 film four out of five stars. Want to try it for yourself? You can pick up a roll for $8.90.
Pros
- Excellent for overcast days.
- Plenty of contrast.
- Loads of character.
Cons
- It’s easy to crush the highlight and shadow details.
- You will need to pack a tripod for slow shutter speeds.
Gear Used
We reviewed the Lomography Kino Fantome ISO 8 film with a Leica M6, 35mm Contax G f2 lens, and personal Sekonic light meter. We sent the film to Blue Moon Camera for processing and scanning.
Ease Of Use
Most photographers experienced with film photography will feel comfortable working with this 35mm film stock. Newer photographers who are just learning to compose will appreciate the impactful tones to liven up their photography.
When looking at sample images, I knew I would need to adjust how I usually photograph. As such, I chose to photograph on overcast days with very little chance of full sunshine. I have embraced contrast in my work for a long time and thought that the result was too much for my liking.
The Fantome 8 reminded me of when I experimented with the most robust magenta filter for the first time in the dark room. Highlight and shadow detail are easily lost in environments with subtle contrast. Once lost, they aren’t easily retrievable as with other films I have worked with. Although, there were a few frames where the stark blacks added visual interest.
It takes a little time to adjust your style to accommodate that and photograph with intention. Patience and practice pays off. When it hits the way you wanted, it’s beautiful.
Image Quality
The Lomography Kino Fantome 8 produces low-grain images and plenty of details in the mid-tones. Images are rich with contrast, stark whites, and deep blacks. Highlight and shadow details can be lost, even in subtle light.
Extra Image Samples
From day one, The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, lots of folks will post reviews and show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. They’re not showing what the product can do. These photos are completely unedited.
Who Should Buy Lomography Fantome 8 Film?
Any photographer who wants to create with black and white film and appreciates contrast would enjoy experimenting with Lomography Fantome 8 film. The punchy contrast is a fantastic choice for dreary days. Fantome 8 gives a lot of character to what would be an otherwise less exciting scene.
I would pick up another roll of the Lomography Kino Fantome 8 for a creative indoor portrait session or the next time I travel abroad. However, I probably wouldn’t choose it frequently for paying clients. The lost details matter in commercial work.
Any photographer who leans into high-contrast images will appreciate this film. It is a fun choice for creative portraits and street photography. You can pick up a roll for $8.90 if you’re ready to try it for yourself. And if you’re looking for a lab to develop it, we recommend Blue Moon Camera for processing and scanning.
Film Highlights
The film highlights are from the manufacturer.
The highlights are from the manufacturer.
Effortlessly evoke the theatre in your everyday life with this show-stopping black and white cine film.
- Take your striking high contrast shots up a notch
- Super-low light sensitivity of ISO 8
- Panchromatic emulsion with very fine grain
- Small exposure latitude and high contrast renderings
- Great for pinhole, striking portraits and gritty street photography
Film Size: 35 mm
Film Type: Black & White Negative
ISO: 8
DX Code: No
Development Process: B&W
Exposures per roll: 36
SKU: f8bw35
The Phoblographer may receive affiliate compensation for products purchased using links in this blog post.