NewsBy FilmFocus
Harman Phoenix Returns at ISO 125, and Harman Photo Color Negative Films Get a Limited-Time Price Cut
This is an AI translation of an article originally published in Japanese. If anything reads oddly, the Japanese original is the authoritative version.
Harman Technology has announced that it will re-release the original Harman Phoenix with redesigned packaging. The new Phoenix is no longer ISO 200; its DX code has also been changed to ISO 125. The company also revealed that prices are being cut across Harman Photo's range of color negative films.
The new Harman Phoenix packaging (Source: harmanphoto.co.uk)
According to Kosmo Foto, the speed change was prompted by feedback from photographers saying they got better results shooting at a lower ISO. Harman Photo's shop page states: "Harman Phoenix 125 keeps all the characteristics of the original you loved (or hated), with a new speed of 125 to reflect the speed you're actually using it at."
The company explains that even at the lower speed, the film keeps its character of high contrast and pronounced grain, and asks photographers to shoot it with that in mind. The shop page includes some remarkably candid caveats: "It performs best in good, consistent light, and halation may appear on bright days or when backlit," and "Colors are vivid but respond differently depending on the scanner and settings. Getting the exposure right leads to good results, so we recommend metering for the midtones to retain shadow and highlight detail (neither overexposure nor underexposure is Phoenix's friend!)."
The new version will also be available in 120. Pricing has not yet been announced, but it is expected to reach retailers in Europe and the US as early as next week. Meanwhile, its successor, Phoenix II, has been reduced in the UK to £7.32 for 24 exposures and £9.27 for 36 exposures, with 5-packs and 10-packs offering further savings. The 120 version is now £7.90 per roll. The experimental Red line and the recently launched Switch Azure are also included in the price cuts. (Update, August 18, 2026: Due in part to the weak yen, the campaign prices may not be reflected in Japan.)
Ever since its launch, the original Phoenix has drawn comments both in Japan and abroad such as "it looks flat when shot at ISO 200" and "it works best at around 100 in practice." This change can be seen as the manufacturer officially acknowledging how users were actually shooting it. As for pricing and availability in Japan, we'll be waiting for announcements from the distributors.