Credit: Roger Lowe UK
A fresh face has emerged in the realm of analog photography, and people are taking notice of the radical new take on color film it employs. A new pro-finished redscale color negative film called Harman Red 125 has been introduced by the UK-based company Harman Technology. Available now at select retailers worldwide, this medium-speed ISO 125 film is ready to transform everyday scenes into something straight out of a sci-fi fever dream. Here’s what you need to know about Harman Red 125 and why it’s worth a roll in your camera.
So, what’s redscale film? It’s a technique where you shoot through the back of the film, exposing the image through the base and red-sensitive layer first. The result? A palette dominated by reds, oranges, and yellows, with occasional green pops for good measure. Harman Red 125 leans into this effect hard, thanks to its Phoenix emulsion base—a film originally introduced as a limited-edition color option but now sticking around due to solid demand. With no anti-halation layer and high red sensitivity, Harman Red 125 is built to deliver that signature redscale look with punchy contrast, vivid tones, and a grainy edge that analog lovers crave.
This isn’t a gimmick film, either. Harman Red 125 comes in DX-coded, 36-exposure cassettes and uses standard C-41 processing, making it as easy to develop as your go-to color negatives. What sets it apart is its versatility—you can push or pull it to tweak the saturation. Shoot at 64 ISO for softer, subtler hues; stick to its native 125 ISO for balanced vibrancy; or crank it up to 250 ISO for intense, saturated reds. Early shots we’ve seen show a lone tree glowing orange against a yellow sky at 125 ISO, while a 250 ISO frame turns a quiet landscape into a blazing, otherworldly vista. It’s the kind of film that makes the mundane feel apocalyptic.
Harman Technology isn’t new to the film game. With roots tracing back to Alfred Harman’s original Ilford company in 1879, they’ve built a legacy on black-and-white staples. But color film? That’s a newer frontier for them, kicked off with Phoenix 200 a couple of years back. Unlike its predecessor, Harman Red 125 isn’t labeled as a limited edition, hinting that the company’s color experiments are paying off. They’re even reinvesting profits from Harman Red 125 into R&D for future color films, thanks to recent upgrades in their Mobberley, Cheshire, facilities. That’s good news for analog fans hoping for more bold releases down the line.
Credit: Harman Technology, Sue Evans
Availability is rolling out globally, though stock will depend on your local camera shop’s speed in picking it up—think along the lines of how Phoenix 200 spread through 2024. Harman Red 125 isn’t just a film; it’s a statement that analog photography still has room to innovate. Photographers who’ve tested it praise its ability to turn ordinary moments—like a walk in the park or a city street snapshot—into high-drama scenes dripping with mood. Pair it with a moody subject, and you’ve got a recipe for prints that demand a second look.
What’s the bottom line? Harman Red 125 is a fresh, creative option for film shooters who want to break from the norm. It’s not about perfect realism—it’s about mood, texture, and a splash of chaos. If you’re itching to experiment, grab a roll and play with the ISO settings. Load it up for your next shoot, and see how it rewrites your world in red. For analog enthusiasts, Harman Red 125 is proof that the film renaissance isn’t slowing down—it’s just heating up.
