How to Shoot Kodak Gold 200 Film

Today we’re diving into another favorite film stock for summer photography – Kodak Gold 200. Whether you’re a seasoned film shooter or just starting out, this post will guide you through what you need to know about how to shoot Kodak Gold film today. So, let’s get started!

Kodak Gold 200 is great for capturing warm, nostalgic, and vibrant summer scenes without breaking the bank. Its versatile ISO 200 speed makes it suitable for a variety of lighting conditions, from sunny days to overcast afternoons.

1. Loading your Kodak Gold 200 Film

First, let’s talk about loading your film. Make sure you’re in a shaded area to avoid direct sunlight on your film. Carefully load Kodak Gold 200 into your camera, ensuring it’s properly seated and securely fastened. I use Kodak Gold in both small (35mm) and medium formats (120), and you have to load them differently in each camera. 35mm is pretty self-explanatory, but loading a medium format camera differs depending on the type of camera you have. I shoot with a Contax 645 and you can check out Youtube to to watch how to load film.

2. Rating and Metering Kodak Gold Film

Gold 200 performs exceptionally well in bright daylight, as well as overcast days. Its ISO 200 rating provides a good balance, allowing you to shoot in a range of lighting conditions. This versatility is one of the reasons it’s such a popular choice. I rate Kodak Gold 200 at box speed outside, which means I have rated it at 100 and 200.

Gold 200 is also quite versatile inside. Inside, I have rated it at 200 and also rated it at 400 and pushed the roll by one stop.

To meter, I use a Sekonic L-358 handheld meter. I meter bulb-in, in the shadows so I get shadow and highlight detail. This will over-expose the film by about a 1/2 stop and will expose for the shadows if I want a bright photo. If I want more drama or contrast, I’ll meter and expose for mid-tones or highlights (see moody photos below). I recommend experimenting with your metering on a test roll and to find out which metering technique works best for your style and vision! Richard Photo Lab has a great tutorial about the different ways to meter. The key is to be consistent once you’ve decided on what technique you will use.

3. Shooting Kodak Gold 200 Film

When shooting Kodak Gold 200 film, keep an eye on your exposure settings. Its ISO 200 speed is flexible, but you’ll want to make sure you’re letting in enough light. Use a moderate shutter speed and aperture to ensure your photos are well-exposed, especially in changing light conditions. Remember, film loves light!

The warm color palette of Kodak Gold 200 gives your photos a classic, nostalgic feel. It enhances the warm tones of sunlight, creating a timeless look that’s perfect for summer scenes, inside or out.

Gold 200 provides good color saturation and contrast, bringing your summer photos to life. Whether you’re capturing vibrant market scenes or the subtle hues of a sunset, this film handles colors beautifully.

If you are shooting a landscape scene, you can’t really meter in the shadows of something far away from you. In that instance, I meter bulb-in towards the landscape I will shoot and check the reading, and I also meter bulb-in towards where I will stand and check the reading. Depending on what I want the image to look like, I choose my camera settings based on a range between the two readings. Last, if you don’t have a handheld meter, check out my great post on how I use the Zone System.

3. Developing & Scanning Kodak Gold Film

Pick your film development lab of choice, (mine is Richard Photo Lab – first-time users can get 15% off their first film dev/scan order), safely ship your film to them, and wait for Christmas morning in July! When I place my order with RPL, I have Gold developed normally if I’ve rated it at box speed, but I have them push it one stop if I’ve rated it at 400. Also, remember if you exposed for the midtones or highlights to tell your lab that! You need to tell them to scan for midtones or highlights, otherwise your scans will look underexposed.

Gold 200 is also excellent for scanning. The relatively fine grain structure of Kodak Gold Film paired with a high resolution scan ensure that your digital versions maintain the same level of detail as the originals. Scanning Gold 200 is straightforward and the results are impressive. The film’s consistent performance ensures that your digital scans maintain the warmth and vibrancy of the original photos. This makes it easy to share and print your summer adventures.

4. Practice Shooting Kodak Gold Film

Last, have fun practicing! Write down your settings and take notes about how you’re metering so you can learn from your results. I always say practice makes better, but only if you’re learning from your mistakes!

In summary, learn how to shoot Kodak Gold film this summer because it’s a fantastic choice for summer photography. Its warm color palette, versatile ISO 200 speed, and good saturation make it perfect for capturing the essence of summer. Whether you’re documenting family vacations, street scenes, or nature, Gold 200 delivers beautiful, nostalgic results.

That’s all for today! I hope you found this helpful. Thanks for reading and happy shooting! (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Additional links in this post are affiliate links which I may earn a commission from.)

Kim Hildebrand

Photographer & Online Educator since 2007

Other ways I can help you

want some free resources?

1. Free Education & Tips
2. Join my free Family Photography Inside[rs] Community
3. Get The Weekly Edit newsletter

HANDLE FAMILY SESSIONS LIKE A BOSS today

1. Free Session Reviews: Submit your 5 Frame Fixxx
2. Save Time with my 17hats Email Templates for Family Photogs
3. Join The FUNtographer Experience
4. Get the Art of the Walkthrough Training

level up your skills in a big way

1. Film: Sign up for the free film training
2. Flash: Sign up for What to do When the Light Sucks Free Live Training for In-Home Photographers
3. Portfolio Reviews & Coaching : Book 1:1 Coaching