Lucky Lucky Color 400 - Film Review

Lucky Color 400 is a newly introduced C-41 color negative film produced in China. We’ve tested Lucky Color 200 in the past and really liked the results, but Lucky’s new 400 ISO film may be even better.

The jump from ISO 200 to 400 provides an extra stop of light, making Lucky 400 a more versatile option for everyday photography and changing lighting conditions. It does have more noticeable grain than Lucky 200, but the grain remains pleasing and never feels excessive. It’s also still a relatively sharp film, with plenty of detail for a 400-speed color negative stock.

In daylight, Lucky 400 produces natural, well-balanced colors. Its palette feels more neutral than Lucky 200, while still having enough personality to distinguish it from Kodak color films. The results have a unique character without feeling overly stylized or unpredictable.

Lighting plays an important role in how this film performs. In bright daylight, colors look clean, balanced, and vibrant without becoming overly saturated. In lower-light situations or under artificial lighting, the film doesn’t perform nearly as well, and its color balance can become less consistent.

Lucky 400 also appears to have fairly limited exposure latitude. In high-contrast scenes, the shadows can fall off quickly, especially under artificial light or when the film is underexposed. Careful metering is important, and when in doubt, it’s best to prioritize the shadows and give the film plenty of light. For the most consistent results, we recommend shooting it primarily in daylight or using a flash when the available light begins to fade.

The additional grain is one of the most noticeable differences compared to Lucky 200, but it complements the film’s overall character. It still delivers good sharpness and detail, giving images a classic 400-speed film texture without looking excessively rough.

We’ve only seen Lucky Color 400 come through the lab occasionally so far, but we’ve been very happy with the results when it does. Its combination of versatility, natural daylight color, moderate grain, and distinctive palette makes it an exciting alternative to more familiar 400 ISO color film.

It’s exciting to see Lucky producing new color film in China and bringing another option to the growing film photography market. We hope Lucky Color 400 becomes more readily available in the United States, because it’s a film we’d genuinely like to see more photographers shoot.