I took my new Canon EOS 3 out for its first proper roll with Fujifilm 200 in Farnham. I only had half an hour, but I wanted to see how this film would behave with the camera I had just bought on eBay. Buildings, bunting, and stone walls, all the things I love to photograph, became my focus.
Fujifilm 200 is a gentle, approachable colour film. It’s not overly saturated, but it gives warmth and life to the scenes it captures. The blue sky came out almost white, which was a surprise, but it didn’t matter. Against it, the red brick of the houses really stood out, and the textures of the stone walls and bunting felt more present than I expected. I realised that the film has a way of highlighting the details you notice in person while softening what might be overwhelming.
Shooting this roll reminded me of my first experiments with black and white films, like Agfa 400 and Kodak Tri-X 400. Those rolls taught me to notice light, shadow, and texture, and with Fujifilm 200, I could see those lessons in colour. It felt like the camera and the film were working together, each enhancing what the other could do. The Canon EOS 3 made handling and focusing feel intuitive, and the film responded beautifully, even in such a short session. To say I am thrilled with this camera would be an understatement.
Looking at the developed images, I realised I had fallen in love with film photography all over again. There’s a rhythm to it that digital doesn’t have. Every frame feels considered, and the slight unpredictability of colour adds a layer of excitement. A simple street corner in Farnham suddenly felt alive, with every brick and bit of bunting telling a small story. The blues sky vanished but the red brick came alive
Fujifilm 200 has a calm, forgiving character, but it also rewards observation and patience. It doesn’t push you to be perfect, it allows you to enjoy the process while giving beautiful results. That combination of a new camera and this film made me realise why I keep coming back to film. It makes you slow down, see differently, and capture the world in a way that feels intimate and deliberate.
Even in just half an hour, I could see the potential. This roll reminded me of why I started with film, and why I will continue experimenting with different films and places. It’s a gentle, exciting introduction to colour photography that perfectly complements my earlier black and white explorations.