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More About Optik Oldschool SantaColor 100, 35mm
SantaColor 100 is a unique ISO 100 colour negative film with an intriguing heritage. Originally derived from Kodak AeroColor aerial surveillance film, SantaColor has found a devoted following among film photographers thanks to its distinctive colour rendition, exceptional sharpness, and impressive exposure latitude. Processed using the standard C-41 colour negative process, it offers a refreshingly different look while remaining easy to develop at labs worldwide.
Characterised by punchy reds, rich greens, and vibrant yet natural colour reproduction, SantaColor 100 sits comfortably between the subtle palette of professional portrait films and the bold saturation of landscape-focused stocks. The result is a film that delivers striking images without appearing overly exaggerated, making it equally at home in street photography, travel, portraits, and everyday shooting.
One of SantaColor's standout qualities is its incredibly fine grain. Originally designed for aerial imaging applications where maximum detail was essential, the emulsion produces remarkably sharp negatives with excellent resolution and clarity. Landscapes, architecture, and scenes rich in texture particularly benefit from the film's ability to capture fine detail.
Despite its ISO 100 rating, SantaColor 100 is surprisingly flexible. Its wide exposure latitude allows it to handle a range of lighting conditions with ease, and many photographers successfully shoot and push the film well beyond box speed while retaining impressive colour accuracy and low grain. This forgiving nature makes it an excellent choice for both newcomers to film and experienced photographers looking to experiment.
Best suited to bright daylight and well-lit scenes, SantaColor 100 rewards careful exposure with vibrant colours, crisp detail, and a distinctive analogue character that stands apart from more familiar colour negative films. If you're looking to try something different while maintaining the convenience of standard C-41 processing, SantaColor 100 is a fascinating addition to any film photographer's camera bag.
Perfect For
Travel photography
Street photography
Portraits
Not Ideal For
Low light situation
Indoor Shooting
About Optik Oldschool
Founded in Düsseldorf, Germany, Optik Oldschool began as a passion project driven by a love for analogue photography and a desire to improve the film shooting experience. What started with the development of practical darkroom and workflow tools, such as the Film Killer and Film Racks, quickly evolved into a full-service film lab known for its focus on quality, transparency, and community.
As the analogue photography revival gained momentum, Optik Oldschool expanded beyond film processing and scanning to develop its own products designed by photographers for photographers. Working closely with industry partners and film manufacturers, the company became involved in the testing and development of new film emulsions, leading to the release of its first proprietary colour film, OptiColour 200.
Today, Optik Oldschool continues to support the global film community through lab services, educational content, innovative tools, and carefully crafted film stocks. Their mission remains simple: to make analogue photography more accessible while preserving the craftsmanship, creativity, and character that make shooting film so special.