Kentmere Pan100 is a great starter-film at low speed for people trying 120 film photography for the first time. Fantastic value but giving great results in a variety of lighting situations, and forgiving in development.
Similar to it's 400-speed sibling, Kentmere 100 is characterised by soft backing that allows for easy scanning as the negatives lie flat, and the resulting images will have medium contrast and fine grain.
Its ISO 100 speed makes Kentmere Pan 100 suitable for a wide variety of subjects where good lighting conditions are available, both outdoor or indoor with controlled / studio lighting. Drawing many attributes from ILFORD stocks such as FP4, Kentmere Pan 100’s price point, coupled with its wide and forgiving exposure latitude, make it an ideal film for those new or returning to film photography as well as students and budget conscious photographers.
For loads more information (and sample photos) check out the video on Kentmere 100 below! Based on Kentmere Pan100 35mm, but the points all apply to Kentmere in medium format 😊
Kentmere was a small black-and-white film manufacturer based in the Lake District for many years. It was acquired by Ilford's parent company in 2007, who consolidated production in their Mobberly plant. The brand exists as a more-affordable alternative to Ilford, with the same quality and consistency of production but with savings made in the emulsion chemicals.
Sample photos (c) Matt Parry
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It is probably my most favourite film...after Fp4.
Reliable and perfect to be used in a pinhole camera. I usually develop it with Rodinal 1+50 +10% for a bit more contrast and I always like the results.
P
P.S. (Leytonstone, GB)
Perfect for:Great All-Rounder, Beginners, Portraits, Landscapes, Street Photography, Pinhole/Long-Exposure, Architecture, Creative/Abstract, Travel, Studio work
Accreditation Handles:www.paulasmith.co.uk
Punches well above its 'budget' category
Since Kentmere was launched in 120 format I've never been without a couple rolls in my bag. It's a versatile film that has delivered reliable, quality results in all sorts of cameras from pinhole and Holga through to Rolleiflex and Bronica cameras. I've pushed it, pulled it, used different developers and always come away with results I've been delighted with.
S
S.C. (Bracknell, GB)
Perfect for:Great All-Rounder, Beginners, Portraits, Landscapes, Street Photography, Creative/Abstract, Travel
cant really beat the detail.
for the price you really cant beat the detail.
this was shot on a Kodak Recomar 18. developed in ID11.
a great little film and at an excellent price.
Very forgiving film .
M
Michele W. (Didcot, GB)
Perfect for:Great All-Rounder, Beginners
Accreditation Handles:Michele W
Great encouragement on my learning curve
I'm still feeling like a beginner in my return to film, and in stepping up to medium format, but this film amazes me given its price: plenty of contrast but also smooth in the greys, and the grain gives character but doesn't get in the way of detail. It encourages me to get out there and take photos! Developed and scanned by AW.
J
Jake W. (Kilmarnock, GB)
Perfect for:Great All-Rounder, Beginners, Portraits, Landscapes, Pinhole/Long-Exposure, Creative/Abstract, Studio work
Accreditation Handles:@newgolddreamer82
The Hundred
If you're looking for quality on a budget (and who isn't?), then look no further than Kentmere. After getting some very promising results from the 400 in both 35mm and 120, I was really looking forward to the 100. I haven't been disappointed with it after six rolls. Now we have some summer, you could pretty much make this a main use film. The tones were rich and the film responded well to development in Rodinal as well as FX-39. Pyro here I come! While XP2 remains my go to film in 120, Kentmere will definitely be finding a regular place in my bag. Also it doesn't have an excessively curly base and dries nicely flat. Some films have lovely tones , but dealing with them in the darkroom is like wrestling with a snake, as Ted Lasso would say.