Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film - This is a fast black and white film geared for general use. It produces sharp images with fine grain. As a high speed film, it is suitable for normal and low light photography .
| Type | 35mm black and white negative film |
| Speed | 400 |
| Applications | General use |
| Process | Ilford developers - but traditional B&W film developers also work |
| Color Saturation | Not Applicable |
| Grain | Fine |
| Sharpness | Very |
| Exposure Latitude | Wide |
| Push/Pull | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Most Liked Positive Review
I like it, Better than expected Price
Just walked outside and went thru a roll then developed. Nikon N80, 24-85 3.5 AFS ED lens, Kodak HC-110 1:50 at 8 minutes/68 F. Looks good to me. I...Read complete review
Just walked outside and went thru a roll then developed. Nikon N80, 24-85 3.5 AFS ED lens, Kodak HC-110 1:50 at 8 minutes/68 F. Looks good to me. I will try to include a scanned image of my quick test. Good shadow detail, not too grainy, tones are good.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Great for that gritty look
I ordered two 100' rolls of this stuff earlier this year, and have just finished up both. I really wanted to love it, knowing that it was so inexpensive, and parts of me...Read complete review
I ordered two 100' rolls of this stuff earlier this year, and have just finished up both. I really wanted to love it, knowing that it was so inexpensive, and parts of me do. Overall though i'd have to say I probably won't be coming back to it anytime soon. Grain seems pretty excessive, almost to the point where 11x14 prints are unprintable. I've tried D-76, HC-110 and Tri-x developers at least a few times each, plus some Ilford chemistry at a friends lab. Every time results came out decent looking. Not horrible, but i could definitely tell just by looking at the negs what i was shooting. Negatives seem pretty thin, and the blacks really lack the punch that I like with hp-5. Overall the consistency was good, even once or twice when massively overdevelping a roll for kicks. (HC-110 1:1 for 6 mins @ 72') I still had printable results. Overall, I see it as a great practice film, but whenever I have some negs that I really like, I can't help having that sinking feeling that they would have been better on something else. The price is great, the results, eh. I think I'll grow up and shoot for quality results, not for quantity of frames.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 12 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-12
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
I have gone through 80 boxes of this film during the current school year. It's incredible for the price. Many schools are squeezed in terms of budget so while I love Kodak, at half the cost I was forced to try the Kentmere. My students can not tell the difference and I've seen great results with this film. I would shoot it in my own cameras. Absolutely love this film. It was a life-saver for our HS program.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
This film produces an old grey tone in my opinion. It is very different from Tmax. I like this tone personally. I am happy with this product. But stay away Kalt re-Usable 35mm film camister which is really poor quality.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
god basic film. Dries flat
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
Just walked outside and went thru a roll then developed. Nikon N80, 24-85 3.5 AFS ED lens, Kodak HC-110 1:50 at 8 minutes/68 F. Looks good to me. I will try to include a scanned image of my quick test. Good shadow detail, not too grainy, tones are good.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
I've only shot a few rolls of this film using toy and pinhole cameras, but I've been impressed with the sharpness and tonality. It seems a little grainy when processed in Ilfosol (1:14 mix), but I like the image quality. Overall, this film reminds me a great deal of old-style Tri-X, my favorite film "back in the day". I'll definitely be buying more Kentmere soon!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
The film dries flat, so it scans well. It is very grainy and contrasty in D-76 using Kentmere's guidelines, but does well in Rodinal. It has very good tonal range and is fairly fine-grained for a traditional 400 speed film when developed in Rodinal. I highly recommend this film. Considering the price and the qualities, it is very good.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
First of all, I'm scanning my negatives rather than enlarging, so I'm not sure how well they enlarge, but they look really nice out of the scanner. They're a bit gritty, but great for what I'm doing. Nice texture you just want to reach out and touch when printed.
I have used this, Tmax, and Tri-x. For whatever reason, the Kodak films aren't drying flat for me. They have a pretty strong curl I've not been able to flatten with heavy books on top, etc.. Kentmere dries nice and flat which helps when scanning. I've also not tried pushing or pulling, so I can't speak to that. I seem to be getting enough contrast for my needs; the rest I take care of in Photoshop with not much loss of quality. Maybe others can speak to contrast from an analog enlarging point of view. I've bought 5 or 6 of these 100 foot rolls, and for the price, I've been extremely pleased. I'm scanning at 9600 dpi, and love the grit. If you're looking for a creamier 400 ISO, this might not be for you, but if you like texture without excessive grain, you might be quite pleased.
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
For the money, I can't beat it...however, the push characteristics are nowhere near as good as tri-x.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
Not a bad film, made by ilford. However, if you have a major project, I would recommend the ilford lines. Not bad at all for classes.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
I ordered two 100' rolls of this stuff earlier this year, and have just finished up both. I really wanted to love it, knowing that it was so inexpensive, and parts of me do. Overall though i'd have to say I probably won't be coming back to it anytime soon. Grain seems pretty excessive, almost to the point where 11x14 prints are unprintable. I've tried D-76, HC-110 and Tri-x developers at least a few times each, plus some Ilford chemistry at a friends lab. Every time results came out decent looking. Not horrible, but i could definitely tell just by looking at the negs what i was shooting. Negatives seem pretty thin, and the blacks really lack the punch that I like with hp-5. Overall the consistency was good, even once or twice when massively overdevelping a roll for kicks. (HC-110 1:1 for 6 mins @ 72') I still had printable results. Overall, I see it as a great practice film, but whenever I have some negs that I really like, I can't help having that sinking feeling that they would have been better on something else. The price is great, the results, eh. I think I'll grow up and shoot for quality results, not for quantity of frames.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
Good grain pattern scans well
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
I don't seem to notice any difference in quality then the more expensive film, overall great buy.
Displaying reviews 1-12
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Most Liked Positive Review
I like it, Better than expected Price
Just walked outside and went thru a roll then developed. Nikon N80, 24-85 3.5 AFS ED lens, Kodak HC-110 1:50 at 8 minutes/68 F. Looks good to me. I...Read complete review
Just walked outside and went thru a roll then developed. Nikon N80, 24-85 3.5 AFS ED lens, Kodak HC-110 1:50 at 8 minutes/68 F. Looks good to me. I will try to include a scanned image of my quick test. Good shadow detail, not too grainy, tones are good.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Great for that gritty look
I ordered two 100' rolls of this stuff earlier this year, and have just finished up both. I really wanted to love it, knowing that it was so inexpensive, and parts of me...Read complete review
I ordered two 100' rolls of this stuff earlier this year, and have just finished up both. I really wanted to love it, knowing that it was so inexpensive, and parts of me do. Overall though i'd have to say I probably won't be coming back to it anytime soon. Grain seems pretty excessive, almost to the point where 11x14 prints are unprintable. I've tried D-76, HC-110 and Tri-x developers at least a few times each, plus some Ilford chemistry at a friends lab. Every time results came out decent looking. Not horrible, but i could definitely tell just by looking at the negs what i was shooting. Negatives seem pretty thin, and the blacks really lack the punch that I like with hp-5. Overall the consistency was good, even once or twice when massively overdevelping a roll for kicks. (HC-110 1:1 for 6 mins @ 72') I still had printable results. Overall, I see it as a great practice film, but whenever I have some negs that I really like, I can't help having that sinking feeling that they would have been better on something else. The price is great, the results, eh. I think I'll grow up and shoot for quality results, not for quantity of frames.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 12 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-12
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
I have gone through 80 boxes of this film during the current school year. It's incredible for the price. Many schools are squeezed in terms of budget so while I love Kodak, at half the cost I was forced to try the Kentmere. My students can not tell the difference and I've seen great results with this film. I would shoot it in my own cameras. Absolutely love this film. It was a life-saver for our HS program.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
This film produces an old grey tone in my opinion. It is very different from Tmax. I like this tone personally. I am happy with this product. But stay away Kalt re-Usable 35mm film camister which is really poor quality.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
god basic film. Dries flat
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
Just walked outside and went thru a roll then developed. Nikon N80, 24-85 3.5 AFS ED lens, Kodak HC-110 1:50 at 8 minutes/68 F. Looks good to me. I will try to include a scanned image of my quick test. Good shadow detail, not too grainy, tones are good.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
I've only shot a few rolls of this film using toy and pinhole cameras, but I've been impressed with the sharpness and tonality. It seems a little grainy when processed in Ilfosol (1:14 mix), but I like the image quality. Overall, this film reminds me a great deal of old-style Tri-X, my favorite film "back in the day". I'll definitely be buying more Kentmere soon!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
The film dries flat, so it scans well. It is very grainy and contrasty in D-76 using Kentmere's guidelines, but does well in Rodinal. It has very good tonal range and is fairly fine-grained for a traditional 400 speed film when developed in Rodinal. I highly recommend this film. Considering the price and the qualities, it is very good.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
First of all, I'm scanning my negatives rather than enlarging, so I'm not sure how well they enlarge, but they look really nice out of the scanner. They're a bit gritty, but great for what I'm doing. Nice texture you just want to reach out and touch when printed.
I have used this, Tmax, and Tri-x. For whatever reason, the Kodak films aren't drying flat for me. They have a pretty strong curl I've not been able to flatten with heavy books on top, etc.. Kentmere dries nice and flat which helps when scanning. I've also not tried pushing or pulling, so I can't speak to that. I seem to be getting enough contrast for my needs; the rest I take care of in Photoshop with not much loss of quality. Maybe others can speak to contrast from an analog enlarging point of view. I've bought 5 or 6 of these 100 foot rolls, and for the price, I've been extremely pleased. I'm scanning at 9600 dpi, and love the grit. If you're looking for a creamier 400 ISO, this might not be for you, but if you like texture without excessive grain, you might be quite pleased.
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
For the money, I can't beat it...however, the push characteristics are nowhere near as good as tri-x.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
Not a bad film, made by ilford. However, if you have a major project, I would recommend the ilford lines. Not bad at all for classes.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
I ordered two 100' rolls of this stuff earlier this year, and have just finished up both. I really wanted to love it, knowing that it was so inexpensive, and parts of me do. Overall though i'd have to say I probably won't be coming back to it anytime soon. Grain seems pretty excessive, almost to the point where 11x14 prints are unprintable. I've tried D-76, HC-110 and Tri-x developers at least a few times each, plus some Ilford chemistry at a friends lab. Every time results came out decent looking. Not horrible, but i could definitely tell just by looking at the negs what i was shooting. Negatives seem pretty thin, and the blacks really lack the punch that I like with hp-5. Overall the consistency was good, even once or twice when massively overdevelping a roll for kicks. (HC-110 1:1 for 6 mins @ 72') I still had printable results. Overall, I see it as a great practice film, but whenever I have some negs that I really like, I can't help having that sinking feeling that they would have been better on something else. The price is great, the results, eh. I think I'll grow up and shoot for quality results, not for quantity of frames.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
Good grain pattern scans well
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Kentmere 35mm Black and White ISO 400 Negative (Print) Film (100'):
I don't seem to notice any difference in quality then the more expensive film, overall great buy.
Displaying reviews 1-12