New Kentmere 120 Film Review - An Impressive Budget Performer

In this video, I’m taking a look at the new Kentmere 100 & 400 films in 120 format. I got my hands on this film a couple of months ago and wanted to share the images I made, as well as my thoughts on how it performs, and why I think it’s the new go-to affordable 120 film option.

**Full disclosure: Ilford sent me this film to try out, but this is not a paid review and no money was exchanged. There also wasn't any agreement to make a video or other content. I just enjoyed the film and wanted to share my experience with it. Hope it helps! ✌️

Intro: 00:00
Film Overview: 00:47
Cost Comparison: 01:26
Image Examples: 02:37
The Look: 03:42
Grain & Sharpness: 06:27
Flexibility: 07:39
Image Examples & Final Thoughts: 09:44

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[MrKreationsHD]

The leading lines of the shot taken at 3:25 into the video is mesmerizing! I could easily see that shot being framed in peoples homes. Absolutely lovely...

[erichstocker]

An extremely useful evaluation of the 120 version of Kentmere. You got to give it to Harmond for doing this for the community.

[epstar]

So happy that Kentmere is available in 120! I’ve had great results from them in 35mm.

[Ilfordphoto]

Thank you for taking the time to put this together, Your images are so good, (almost too good for the price point :).

[just_a_guy]

i exclusively shoot pan 400 and 100 for my black and white work mostly because of the price some im glad to hear that the 120 versions look great!

[Christian_from_Copenhagen]

Great review! I'd be interested to see a deep dive into exposure latitude across several film stocks some day. B/W, colour, slide film, comparisons, things to consider when shooting, etc.

[ThePhotoDept]

and just like that, ive got a bunch of this film in my shopping cart. excellent look at this film!

[ma-bnjh]

Got a few rolls of Kentmere 400 on the way. I'd like to plus one on seeing an exposure test video😀

[andrewcarroll]

Thanks for making these reviews! I just got a medium format camera and I need to get it ready for a road trip.

[NunoAlmeidaPhotography]

I honestly can't wait to give these a try!

[sfenwick]

Beautiful shots and helpful review. Cheers.

[MacnTeensVisuals]

Great stuff Kyle. Love the look of these shots, particularly the slightly more contrasty 100 ISO version. Definitely put me in the mood to shoot some b&w, I look forward to trying out some Kentmere in 120.

[scottparis]

I've used the Kentmere films in 35mm only. They work well at box speed, where in my experience the Foma films do not.
With Foma, I got the best results by pulling one stop; Foma 400 at 200, Foma 100 at 50, with reduced development. Better shadow detail with reduced grain and contrast. They're fine at those speeds, but Kentmere is better.
I think the Kentmere films MAY be a little less tolerant of underexposure than the flagship Ilford ones, whenever I have the opportunity to expose carefully, I tend to expose all B&W films a little more, and develop a little less.
My output is still wet prints, so I'm not sure how this would work with scanning.

[mjmdiver]

Great comments on this film... I'm going to have to do a comparison among this, the respective Ilford film (FP4 or HP5) and the respective Delta film...

You didn't mention, how flat does the film appear to lay after processing? Curling film is a drag to try to scan.

[FRONTPhotography]

Great review Kyle. We’re both really looking forward to shooting both.
I think it’s like you said, somewhat predictable, but that’s totally fine for a budget friendly stock.
Love the photo at 8 minutes in.
Jamie

[glowingeye]

I’m definitely going to try these, HP5 has gotten quite expensive for me as a student. Love how the photos look!

[mahmoudshoots]

Love the review and photos looks stunning ❤!! Would love to see a video specifically about light metering and best practices specially with B&W films 😊

[robertwaffel]

Kentmere 400 in 35mm has been my goto low light film stock (easily pushed to 3200). Have yet to try it this way in 120.

[AndyDay]

Super useful, thanks! Didn't even know about the 35mm version so will be interested to see for myself how it compares to Fomapan.

[SathyaPeacock]

looks great! looking forward to shooting them