FujiFilm Cardia Mini Tiara - Film Guide and Sample Images (Budget Edition)
Intro:
In the mid 2020's point & shoot cameras have exploded in popularity. Naturally, that means so have their prices & if you're shooting film then you know this is further compounded by the rising costs of film...
That's where the Tiara comes in. Whether it's the Tiara, Tiara II or Tiara Zoom, these tiny point & shoots are some of the aesthetic, small & capable cameras that are still affordable.
In this short article we'll look at the performance of the Tiara II when paired with affordable films. Let's look for films around $10 USD (36 Exposures) :)
Stock 1: Gold 200 ~ $8 USD
Gold 200 is probably the best value in film & would be my number 1 recommendation for new and experienced shooters alike.
Whether it’s shooting a day out at the park, your stroll around town, a picture of your friends or a random night time shot with flash, Gold 200 will handle it beautifully. You’ll need to have steady hands to handle low-light shots without the flash, though.
Stock 2: Kentmere 400 ~ $8 USD
Despite being one of the cheapest films you can get, this film consistently delivers great results. If the Tiara could do exposure comp this would 100% be the #1 recommendation. For my situation in Korea, it’s cheaper to buy and shoot this film but if it’s the same for you between this, Gold or Ultramax, all 3 of them will treat you well and are suitable for it’s f3.5 max aperture.
Stock 3: Ultramax 400 ~ $9 USD
While I prefer Gold 200, if you plan to shoot a lot inside or live somewhere less bright & sunny, Ultramax 400 does a great job in these situations & is a highly flexible everyday film.
With its higher ISO, it’s perfect for faster shutter speeds to freeze moments or to shoot in much darker scenarios without needing to use the flash and let everyone around you know you took a photo.
Stock 4: Kentmere 100 ~ $8 USD
If you're after sharpness on a budget, Kentmere 100 delivers. I can only recommend it if it'll be sunny or if you’re shooting still objects. With the Tiara's max aperture of 3.5, faster films are more preferred to avoid shaky or blurry photos from slow shutter speeds.
NOTE: If you’re using the FujiFilm Tiara Zoom, I would pass on this due to its 100 ISO.
Stock 5: Pro Image/Kodacolor 100 ~ $ 8 USD
Perfect for those sunny summer days where you want slightly more blur behind your subjects. This film's low light sensitivity will help you achieve that. Important to note that getting sharp pictures gets more difficult as the light goes away. You'll love the built in flash more & more because this film needs all the light it can get.
Tip: With Pro Image seemingly discontinued, you can probably find it at discounts! Even if slightly expired, this film performs well, just buy from reputable sellers who likely stored the film in ideal conditions.
NOTE: If you’re using the FujiFilm Tiara Zoom, I would pass on this due to its 100 ISO.
Hall Of Shame, Not Recommended:
Film That Needs Overexposure
You should avoid films like Phoenix II that are rated at optimistic ISO’s but in reality perform better when overexposed. Yes, most film performs better that way but when shooting it with the Fujifilm Tiara which cannot overexpose the film. You end up with ugly images that you won’t want to be showing your friends and family.
Off the top of my head this means films from Harman, ORWO and funky experimental films. They’re fun but you’re not getting your money’s worth.
Despite this being a scene with simple light, the Tiara doesn’t let in enough light due to the DX coding of Phoenix being 200 when it actually needs to be overexposed.
Slide Film:
This one almost goes without saying but if you’re planning to shoot slide film like Kodak Ektachrome E100, Fujifilm Provia, etc. you shouldn’t consider the Tiara for this.
Not only is it expensive but slide film requires highly accurate exposure and while the Tiara DOES have an accurate meter and sharp lens, you have no control over exposure of the camera nor can you see what settings the camera is using. This leaves you crossing your fingers and hoping the camera got it right. Not exactly the best plan for shooting highly expensive film that needs precision.
Final thoughts:
Ultimately, as long as you pick the right film for the right scenario what matters most is you & your lab. :) Film is just a small part of the final image so get out there, experiment with different films and have fun. The whole point of these smaller cameras is to enjoy yourself and the world around you!
If I had to recommend one film it would be Gold 200! Gold 200 has great sharpness, nice grain, is easily available at extremely affordable prices and has great performance in lots of lighting scenarios.
