Harman Red 125

Harman Red 125 is a redscale color negative film for the 35mm format (135) manufactured by Harman Technology Ltd.

Launched in February 2025, the film represents the company’s second color film product, fully developed and manufactured at the Mobberley site in Cheshire, UK, following the launch of the Harman Phoenix 200 in late 2023. Harman Red 125 is part of the long-term color film strategy of the company, which is also known under the Ilford Photo and Kentmere brand names.

Properties of Redscale Film

Harman Red 125 is a so-called redscale film. This type of film produces a distinctive visual effect, created by an unconventional exposure method: The film is assembled or loaded into the camera so that the light first passes through the film base (the back of the film) and only then hits the light-sensitive emulsion layers.

Typically, the light rays hit the emulsion layers directly. In the redscale process, the red-sensitive layer is exposed first, while the overlying green- and blue-sensitive layers are influenced and attenuated by the red layer and any filter layers. This results in a strong shift in color reproduction toward dominant red, orange, and yellow tones, while blue and green tones are severely suppressed or may appear altered, often in the shadow areas.

Harman Red 125 is based on the emulsion of Harman Phoenix 200 color negative film. According to the manufacturer, Phoenix emulsion is particularly well-suited for conversion to redscale film due to its high red sensitivity and the lack of an anti-halation layer. The absence of this layer, which normally prevents reflections in the film base, can contribute to additional diffuse effects in redscale processing.

The film has a nominal sensitivity of ISO 125/22° and is developed using the standardized C-41 process, which allows it to be processed in most photo labs. The 35mm film cartridges are DX-coded, allowing cameras with the corresponding function to automatically detect the film speed.

Harman Technology specifies a usable exposure range of EI (Exposure Index) 50 to EI 400. For optimal results, an exposure between EI 100 and EI 200 is recommended, depending on the lighting conditions and the desired contrast.

Image Effect and Application

Harman Red 125 produces images with a distinctive aesthetic, often described as dramatic, dystopian, or cinematic. The color palette is dominated by warm tones: bold reds, bright oranges, and intense yellows. Depending on the exposure and subject matter, subtler orange and green tones may also become visible, especially in the shadows. Blue is almost completely eliminated with correct exposure.

The film is characterized by high contrast and a visible graininess described as “characterful.” It is primarily aimed at photographers seeking experimental and creative effects and achieving atmospheric color reproduction that deviates from reality. It is suitable for artistic portraits, landscape shots with a surreal character, or urban scenes that require a special atmosphere.

Market Position and Availability

Harman Red 125 was introduced as a professionally manufactured redscale film, complementing the growing, albeit niche, segment of experimental analog films. At the time of its launch, it was one of the few commercially available films of this type, along with Lomography Redscale XR.

Unlike Harman Phoenix 200, which was originally introduced as a limited edition, Red 125 has no such marking, indicating regular production. It is distributed through specialist photo retailers worldwide. In Germany, a roll of the film will cost around €15 as of March 2025.