Discover below why I chose to do a Kentmere Pan 100 Review. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly black and white film, Kentmere Pan 100 is often recommended in film circles. I recently shot a few rolls with my Canon AE-1 Program and Canon 300V to see if it lives up to the praise it gets for affordability, fine grain, and a classic look. Discover below why I chose to do a Kentmere Pan 100 Review.
Below is my personal experience, tips, and test impressions for those considering Kentmere Pan 100 as their next black and white film.
Why The Kentmere Pan 100 Review
I usually shoot Ilford HP5 and FP4, but rising film costs made me curious about cheaper options. Kentmere Pan 100, made by Ilford, is known for its fine grain, good contrast, and a slower speed perfect for daylight or controlled lighting.
Test Cameras and Shooting Conditions
| Test Roll | Camera Used | Shooting Conditions | Developer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roll 1 | Canon AE-1P | Sunny, urban street, midday | Ilford ID-11 | Rated at 100 ISO |
| Roll 2 | Canon 300V | Overcast, urban details | Ilford ID-11 | Rated at 100 ISO |
Results and Thoughts
1️⃣ Sharpness and Grain
- Very fine grain for a budget film.
- Retains excellent sharpness, even when scanning at 3200 dpi.
- In high contrast light, grain is almost invisible.
2️⃣ Contrast and Tonality
- Punchy contrast without losing detail in shadows.
- Beautiful midtones, making it forgiving for street photography and architecture.
- Easy to pull or push if needed.
3️⃣ Usability and Flexibility
- In the Canon AE-1P, the film handled well with manual metering.
- In the Canon 300V, the matrix metering helped in overcast conditions without losing highlights.
4️⃣ Developing and Scanning
- Easy to develop at home with ID-11 at stock solution.
- Scans easily without heavy dust issues.
- Requires minimal post-processing to get clean results.
Who Is Kentmere Pan 100 For?
✅ Beginners looking for affordable B&W practice.
✅ Street photographers who want fine grain and high contrast.
✅ Film shooters on a budget who don’t want to sacrifice quality.
✅ Those testing home development workflows before investing in pricier films.
Buy Kentmere Pan 100
Kentmere 100 35mm Black and White Film (24 Exposures)
Highly recommended and budget-friendly – Kentmere 100 35mm black and white film with fine grain and broad exposure latitude. Ideal for everyday shooting and beginners in analog photography.
2 in stock
FAQs about Kentmere Pan 100
Is Kentmere Pan 100 good for portraits?
Yes, it can handle skin tones well if you expose correctly, but it has higher contrast, so soft lighting is ideal.
Can you push Kentmere Pan 100?
You can push to 200 or even 400 with increased contrast, but you may lose shadow details.
Is Kentmere Pan 100 better than Ilford HP5?
They are different; Kentmere Pan 100 is slower with finer grain and higher contrast, while HP5 offers more flexibility for low-light.
What developer works best with Kentmere Pan 100?
Ilford ID-11, Ilfosol 3, or Kodak D-76 all work well. It develops similarly to Ilford FP4.
Is Kentmere Pan 100 good for landscape photography?
Yes, the fine grain and tonal range work well for daylight landscapes, especially when details matter.
Final Thoughts
Kentmere Pan 100 impressed me with its fine grain, contrasty look, and affordability. It’s a solid black and white film for those who want to practice or shoot without stress about cost while retaining quality results. I’ll definitely keep a few rolls in my bag for sunny days with my Canon AE-1P and Canon 300V.
If you’re considering it, give Kentmere Pan 100 a shot and see how it fits your workflow. It might become your go-to for budget B&W shooting without compromising your final look.
If you’ve shot Kentmere Pan 100 or have questions about how it performs in different cameras, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop a comment below with your experiences, questions, or tips for other film shooters. If you want personalised film recommendations or have a question about your Canon AE-1P or 300V setup, feel free to [contact me here] — I’m always happy to help fellow photographers grow their film practice.
A big Ilford fan for 40+ years, mainly FP4, HP5 & XP2. Recently tried Kentmere 100 and am seriously impressed. Often described as a beginner`s film. it has its own”look” and is good value
That’s great to hear! Kentmere 100 really is a nice surprise – it might be seen as a beginner’s film, but it definitely has its own look. Amazing value too, especially alongside classics like FP4 and HP5.