Kentmere Archives

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.

The dog ignored me

leica mp + summicron 50 f2 + kentmere 400

It is a good thing for a photographer to become famous, and it is not a bad thing to be unfamous.No one in the crowd knows you, not even a dog.

KENTMERE PAN 400 Black and White film

KENTMERE PAN400 + leica mp + summicron 35mm f/2 asph

35mm, ISO 400, high speed, all purpose, black & white film. Suitable for all general photography applications.

High speed ISO 400
Fine grain and good sharpness
Broad tonal range with good contrast
35mm cassettes and bulk lengths

The cleaning car

The cleaning car came slowly, and I felt the picture was clean and peaceful. So I filmed it. The driver inside saw me with a grin, and he should be laughing at what this fool is shooting?
Smile, smile makes the world warmer.

Viewfinder

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