film photography Archives - Page 2 of 2

Kentmere Pan 400 Black and White Film

ISO 400 black and white film is a popular choice for capturing human subjects due to its high tolerance and larger grains. Kodak Tri-X 400 has gained a devoted following for its ability to handle push processing, allowing it to be used at ISO 800 or even pushed to ISO 3200. However, Kentmere 400, the film we are discussing today, is best used at its rated ISO 400 and should not be pushed beyond that. Its pricing reflects this recommendation.

Regarding Kentmere’s contrast, the film’s manufacturer remains a mystery, with some speculating it could be Ilford due to their shared UK base. Nonetheless, Ilford’s PAN 400 is considered to be of superior quality compared to Kentmere. Kentmere struggles with low-light situations and tends to produce deep blacks, leading to an overall high contrast look that can make images appear harsh, particularly when shooting with high contrast lenses or in high contrast scenes. Personally, I find it best to avoid using Kentmere in bright noon sunlight.

On the other hand, Kentmere 400 performs exceptionally well for indoor and subway portraits, creating a clean, bright look reminiscent of its white packaging. It appears to have a built-in half-stop yellow filter effect and also handles foggy weather with ease.

Leica Mini 3 Point and Shoot Cameras

It is a Budget

There’s no doubt about it, the world of cameras is a rich and varied one! With so many options out there, there’s something to suit every taste and need. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly camera, a high-performance model, a brand you love, or something with a unique design, you’re sure to find it. From affordable options for beginners to high-end luxury models, each camera has its own special charm and is perfect for different situations.

But, among all the other brands and models out there, the Leica Mini series of cameras has also caught a lot of attention with its unique positioning and charm. If you’re just starting out in the Leica family, the mini series cameras are a great choice. They’re built with quality in mind, but they also prioritize portability and style. The Leica Mini 3 is so easy to carry around! Its compact and lightweight body design makes it perfect for slipping into your pocket or bag.

Leica’s signature design elements and branding make this compact camera look lovely. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a camera that looks good and performs well. And it’s affordable, which is great if you’re new to photography and want to try out different cameras without breaking the bank.

Oh, and another thing! This is a pretty old film camera, so don’t think of it as a digital camera.

It is a LEICA

Leica is a German company that makes some of the best cameras and optical equipment out there. They have their main production and R&D centers located in Germany. But, it’s not like all of Leica’s products are made entirely in Germany. The lovely Leica mini3 camera is part of the Leica brand, but it might not be made entirely in Germany. But don’t worry! Leica has very high standards for product quality and craftsmanship, so it’s made to those standards wherever it’s made. I’ve used it myself and I can tell you it’s very reliable and of high optical quality!

It is a SUMMAR lens

The Leica mini 3 is equipped with a 32mm f/3.2 LEICA SUMMAR lens and is small enough to fit in your back pocket, so you can always take it with you! It’s the perfect camera to have on hand when you’re on the go. The Leica mini 3 is even lighter than the Leica CM with a 40mm f/2.4 LEICA SUMMARIT lens! And its lens reaches a lovely wide angle of 32mm, which is just perfect for travel. It’s so consistent with its positioning!

more samples

leica elmarit-m 28mm f2.8 ASPH Black & White Film

This lens is optimised for digital photography and has significantly reduced image field curvature in comparison to the previous model.
Used Leica Elmarit-M 28mm F2.8 ASPH Lens (11677) W/ Box, Case, and Lens hood, and all caps.

more info

leica summilux-m 35 1.4 v1 steel rim with blak&white film

Lens mount - Leica M-bayonet
Number of lenses /groups - 7 /5
F stop range - f/1.4-f/16
Angle of view diagonal - 64 degrees
Filter type - E41 - A46.5
Accessories - Hood: OLLUX 12522
Dimensions length x diameter - 38 x 53 mm / 1.50 x 2.07 in
Weight - 245 g /8.64 oz M3 - 195 g / 6.88 oz

more info

My experience with Rolleiflex 3.5 mx-evs (kodak black & white films)

Rolleiflex 3.5 mx-evs with kodak black & white films

rolleiflex 3.5 mx－evs black & white films

leica summilux 35 1.4 v1 steel rim with color films

Kodak Proimage 100 Color Negative Film

I used to have a beautiful dream of making everyone I photographed look more beautiful than they really were. Achieving this is actually not difficult with Kodak Proimage film, which is excellent for capturing portraits with warm, healthy-looking skin tones. What’s more, this film is also reasonably priced!

A good portrait film should have several key features, such as warm tones that whiten the skin, fine grain that enhances detail, and excellent exposure latitude that allows for shallow depth of field. In all these aspects, Kodak Proimage performs exceptionally well. Kodak is renowned for its mastery of color, especially when it comes to capturing skin tones. The colors in Proimage are harmonious and transparent, creating a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere.

One of the outstanding qualities of Proimage is its well-balanced colors that never overpower the subject, resembling the soft hues of watercolor paintings. The colors are transparent and vibrant without being oily, reminiscent of a jar of colorful candies. Besides portraits, Proimage is also perfect for capturing landscapes and street scenes, creating a transparent and watercolor-like feel. Street scenes captured with Proimage exude a peaceful and calming ambiance, which is quite different from the vibrant and colorful look of Kodak Ultramax 400.

While Proimage’s ISO 100 film is ideal for capturing images in bright daylight, it can also be used at night with good results, thanks to its professional-grade quality and high tolerance for different lighting situations. Nonetheless, given its ISO 100 rating, it’s still advisable to use it during daytime shoots whenever possible.

flesh-tone reproduction, color accuracy, and saturation.
Intended for room temperature storage.
Excellent latent-image keeping characteristics.
Printing characteristics similar to those of Kodak gold films.
The film of choice for portrait and social photographers.

Kentmere 100 film from the UK

Kentmere 100 film has an average tolerance at best and can only be considered satisfactory. Choosing a film can be about selecting a particular style, and having all films be the same would be uninteresting. Street photographers reportedly appreciate the grain in this film.

When discussing black and white film, the development process is closely related. When I refer to the film’s tolerance and contrast, it’s based on my personal development habits and compared to other films.

While some people can use this film to create beautiful grayscale images through technical means, overall, Kentmere’s film has slightly high contrast, coarse grain, and a lower tolerance. Highlights are prone to overexposure, and shadows may be too dark. The contrast level is relatively high, and many people nowadays pursue a high-contrast effect, such as Daido Moriyama’s style.

35mm, ISO 100, medium contrast, black & white film. Suitable for most applications in good lighting conditions.

Medium speed ISO 100
Fine grain and good sharpness
Broad tonal range with good contrast
35mm cassettes and bulk lengths available