Silbersalz35 250D Review: My First Roll of Cinematic Film in Rhodes, Greece

There’s something special about trying a new film stock for the first time — that mix of excitement and uncertainty, the thrill of not knowing quite how the colours and tones will render until the scans come back. On my recent trip to Rhodes, Greece, I decided to take that leap with Silbersalz35 250D, a motion-picture film repackaged for still photography that’s been on my radar for a while.

Why Silbersalz35 250D?

I’ve always loved the look of cinematic film — the way it handles colour and light with that unmistakable softness and depth. Silbersalz35 250D is a daylight-balanced Kodak Vision3 5207 stock, typically used in movie production, and I was curious to see how it would perform in a travel context — sun-soaked beaches, bright marble streets, and those rich Mediterranean blues.

Rhodes felt like the perfect testing ground: endless sunshine, textured stone walls, pastel facades, and a palette of blues and golds that just begged to be captured.

Shooting Experience

From seeing the first few scans, I could tell this film loves light. The 250 ISO rating gives it a nice balance — forgiving enough in bright daylight, but still capable of subtle shadows and detail when the sun dips lower. I shot everything on my Pentax K1000, often in open shade or during golden hour.

What stood out immediately was how naturally the colours rendered. Skin tones looked honest, not overly warm or pastel, and the highlights seemed to hold better than on many consumer films. The texture of old town Rhodes — chipped paint, cobblestone paths, olive trees shimmering in the breeze — felt like a perfect match for this film’s cinematic character.

The Look

When I got the scans back, I was blown away. Silbersalz35 250D has a distinctly clean look, with fine grain and a beautifully soft contrast curve. The blues of the Aegean came out rich but not oversaturated, while the sunlit walls and terracotta roofs had that creamy warmth you see in motion picture stills.

There’s a depth to this film that’s hard to describe — it feels like it breathes. Shadows retain detail, skies stay true, and there’s just enough halation around highlights to make the images glow without looking dreamy or washed out.

A Few Notes

Exposure: This stock rewards careful metering. I found slight overexposure (by about half a stop) gave the most pleasing results.

Development: I sent the roll to Analogue Wonderland for their ECN-2 processing.

Scanning: The scans were crisp and well-balanced, with minimal need for post-processing.

Final Thoughts

Silbersalz35 250D has quickly earned a spot among my favorite colour films. It’s not just about the look — it’s about the feel. There’s a certain serenity to the way it renders light, perfect for capturing the rhythm of island life in Rhodes.

If you’re a photographer looking to bridge the world between cinema and stills, or just want to see your travel memories through a more cinematic lens, this film is absolutely worth a try.

Gear Used: Pentax K1000, SMC 50mm F/1.7 Lens

Film: Silbersalz35 250D

Location: Rhodes, Symi Island