New Kentmere 100 & 400 B&W in 120 - Medium Format Monday

[@bernardkelly235]

Those studio portraits were the most compelling evidence that Kentmere 120 is worth trying. Of all the recent evaluations I've seen, this was the best, Matt. Many thanks.

[@MatMarrash]

Bernard I appreciate that, thank you so much! I certainly can't take all the credit, good light and that space are courtesy of Tariq's portrait genius.

[@dont-want-no-wrench]

yeah, those looked really good

[@MyJuancho2010]

THESE ARE SPECTACULAR PORTRAITS WELL TAKEN... CONGRATULATIONS.

[@MatMarrash]

Thank you! :)

[@IkontaRacconta]

An amazing analysis of this film! You see 100% live what it can give

[@MatMarrash]

Thank you very much! :)

[@coreymagz3145]

Medium Format Monday?! A dream come true!

[@MatMarrash]

They won't be every Monday, but there's a lot I'm excited to share with y'all!

[@steffenbjoern]

You showed a Holga 120 GCFN, which has a glass lens!

[@russellyoung2852]

Great vid. Your intro to 120 was succinct and thorough, not a wasted word. Glad you'll be delving into such a diverse format. Although I shoot 4x5/5x7/8x10, 120 is a sweet spot for me. Still shoot the Pentax 67 purchased new in 1984, it has never, ever let me down. Also shoot an RZ (in the studio only) where my fave portrait lens is the 180 VSF. For travel or walking around the farm, Mamiya 7, or if it needs to be lighter & more compact, the Mamiya Six Automat (not the Mamiya 6!). Long live 120!

[@MatMarrash]

Russel I appreciate your comment on the length. Editing these broad-stroke videos can be a slog and feedback like this really helps me refine further. 120 really has the most personality of the film formats, with options fitting a variety of styles of technical needs. Cheers!

[@certs743]

I have been shooting Kentmere in 35mm for years. Great to see we can now get it in 120. Definitely will need to put a few rolls through my Rolleiflex and Mamiya C2.

[@martina2220]

This is very helpful. Thanks for your time and work!!

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Martin! :D

[@hossmacian]

I've shot the 35mm film from them before and the 100 reminded me (look/feel) of Plux-X (yes, I'm old). I was so happy to hear this was coming out in 120! My Fuji GW690III, Mamiya C330 and Yashica Mat 124G all look forward to having their turn with this film!

[@mathieubauwens9759]

I felt the same

[@samehfahmi2068]

I shot Kentmere before forever ago. Like you mentioned, it was a bit flat in scanning, but it printed really well. I'd shoot Kentmere 400 in the Moskva5 6x9 camera. I do wonder if they will also make 100 and 400 in 4x5 and 8x10, because that would be AWESOME! Loved seeing the studio process too. Those portraits were NICE!

[@AMTunLimited]

Craziest thing is that it's currently the *cheapest* 120 single rolls on B&H right now, even cheaper than Arista!

[@MatMarrash]

It's not every day you see a major player in a niche market trying to compete on price, especially when the quality remains high!

[@Uwe_Ludolf]

That dollar might be better towards the Czech crown and worse towards the British pound. Or the import duties from the EU are higher than from UK. In Europe Fomapan is cheaper

[@RodUSMC75]

I ordered my from FPP can't wait!!!! I purchased both 100 and 400. I'm planning on running rolls through my Kiev 88CM to do a little studio and street in Downtown Ogden Utah!

[@MatMarrash]

From the looks of these comments, FPP may just be shipping out a pallet of Kentmere this week! 😂

[@oudviola]

Thanks for the update on these films. Love the MFM idea. I've been playing with stereo photog with a Sputnik T(triple) Lens Reflex. Ilford has a procedure to reverse process and get black and white positives (slides) from FP4 or PanF, perhap I'll try that. Otherwise my trusty Bronica GS-1 6x7 or Yashica D, budget MF cameras but still great. Cheers from Montreal.

[@raulnava8282]

Planning to use a Kowa Super 66 for landscapes, I already place an order of Kentmere 100 and 400 ISO, thank you for all the videos

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Raul, the Kowa Super 66's are great MF SLRs. Happy shooting!

[@michaelharmon721]

Glad to see other films coming out. When I buy it I would use my mamiya C330 and my yashica mat 124 G

[@artsilva]

I definitely need to try this film. Will use on my Hasselblad 503cx with the classic 80mm and 150mm Carl Zeiss T* lenses.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks for the comment Art, and you can't beat a classic combo like that! :)

[@ChristopherMay]

It's been a good year for medium format shooters. It's nice to see some gentler priced films like Kentmere 100/400 and Kodak Gold 200 being offered in 120. I'll have to swing over to FPP and pick up some of the Kentmere to feed my Rolleiflex 2.8D and my Busch Pressman C with a the Adapt-a-roll 620 back. Digging the new channel features, too, Mat. Good stuff!

[@MatMarrash]

I feel like this year's wave of new offerings in 120 is the culmination of the new gen of film shooters and a response to the shortages in 35mm films. Nothing will beat 35's numbers, but a single roll of 36 exposure color can only go so high before a Hasselblad looks like a bargain!

[@imuttoo]

Great video Mat! Really enjoyed it! I'm going to give one of these a spin in my Pentax 645N.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Ian! Briefly handling that Contax 645 had me thinking some very bad thoughts x__x

[@UncleDansVintageVinyl]

Great photos. Man, the portraits are technically impressive--and the models are superb.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Dan I appreciate the compliment! :)

[@MichaelLloyd]

I've been looking for some backs for my Hassy CM503CW. I only have one that I can use and it has a light leak. The other one doesn't work with 120 film (I forget what the deal is but there's no film made for it anymore). I tend to used the 35mm and Medium format cameras more readily.

[@MatMarrash]

Working at the camera shop, my heart would always drop into my stomach whenever someone would bring in a Hassy with any A24 backs or A16/A16s backs. We couldn't pay a dime for those as one didn't work with current film and the 16's weren't valued near what the 12 exposure backs were. While they're not as easy as A12 backs, I've always liked the older C16 or "peep hole" backs. They're usually a lot cheaper than A12's and have a lot of life left in them.

[@erichstocker8358]

You have to love Harmond for bringing the Kentmere films to 120. I use Kentmere film extensively when experimenting. Because if an experiment works then the film is strong enough to really keep the results.

[@erichstocker8358]

I did indeed get the special price at FPP. It was a really great deal for the film. They, of course, are always great and have lots of interesting stuff (endorsement intended!!)

[@LarryManiccia]

Medium format black and white produces such buttery smooth portraits. For someone who has shot digitaI the last twelve years the look of medium format just blows me away. So much so it made me purchase a 6×6 TLR.

[@MatMarrash]

Medium format was the look that pulled me in to the world of film photography. I'm incredibly biased on the question of picking up a MF TLR, but I say go for it! :)

[@erikepskamp1991]

Looking forward to trying them both; just waiting on FPP to send em out. I will likely be shooting the new films on my Hassy 501 CM and Mamiya M654 1000s probably on one of my dog walks.

[@MatMarrash]

Oh yeah, you've got that minty-fresh 501 CM that could use some film! ;)

[@joshuarhea1648]

One of my favorite shots was made on kentmere 400 in 35mm. I really like that film stock. Ordered 10 rolls of 400. I alternate between rolleiflex 2.8c and my rolleiflex 3.5b (MX-EVS) and occasionally mamiya rb67 especially if I want to shoot wide.

[@MatMarrash]

If you're digging the look in 35mm you're going to love giving the look of 400 pushed 1-2 stops! Already been seeing some cool results from friends and it's tempting to try.

[@ImperfectPhotography]

Great video about an interesting film- I want to try it after seeing this! My first roll will be run through with the Hasselblad SWC or the Fuji GW670 Professional.

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks for the comment Michael, both excellent MF camera choices!

[@dongxu2059]

This new MFM format is amazing, wish you the best for this new format

[@MatMarrash]

It does feel odd not slogging around with a bunch of heavy gear, but I am enjoying the variety of aspect ratios! ;)

[@dongxu2059]

@@MatMarrash it feels much more agile and the back won't hurt afterwards. My 500cm had problems with the pc sync as well, I think it's quite common

[@MatMarrash]

@@dongxu2059 the somewhat good news is it was the cables, flash sync failed on another body and two more lenses x__x

[@dongxu2059]

@@MatMarrash I remember my cable + lens worked only with a specific angle on the PC connector . Way too many frames wasted because of that old cable ~_~ good side is that now you have way more variety of film stocks to work with in the MF, yuhuu

[@marikapi01]

Have you tried some landscape on a 6x12 back, using a large format camera? I think I will try that out soon.

[@MatMarrash]

Mariette thanks for the question! I have shot a little 6x12 and it was a blast, you can check it out on this older episode of Large Format Friday: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4OZaZV7lJyners

[@liveinaweorg]

I'll be getting some 400 for the Mamiya C3 for winter in the North West of England.

[@brineb58]

Great stuff, I ordered a pile of 400 in 120, use it a lot in 35mm!!! I dig Holgas, I have a few and each one is different!!!

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Brian! My FPP order is queued up and at $5/roll it may be time to dust of my Debonair 120.

[@leeo.alexander2324]

Thanks, Mat. I just ordered a few rolls of this new film. I don't have a darkroom anymore, but I have everything to do daylight development. I have a few medium-format cameras from Mamiya, Pentax, and Bronica. Can't seem to come up with the funds for a Hassi. I know I am going to use my flagship Mamiya M645 with an 80mm 1.9 lens for testing. I love shooting Still Life in BW.

[@MatMarrash]

Lee thanks for the comment! The 80 f/1.9 is an iconic lens and help create some magical looks. Happy shooting!

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

These are excellent results! I ordered four rolls (2 of each) as soon as I heard they had been released! As for what I'm going to shoot, probably some portraits of my lovely wife and some architecture work. Cameras, the Rolleiflex 2.8F and Mamiya m645 (one roll in each camera).

[@MatMarrash]

Thanks Alex, I look forward to your deep dive into it and seeing your results!

[@pulpufictione]

Great video. I tried some Kentmere 100 in 35mm format, and I liked it! I thought it looked a bit boring at box speed, but pushed one stop it really had a great look, but too grainy for me. I bet K100 with a push in medium format would check the boxes -- dramatic contrast, with less perceived grain.

[@MatMarrash]

It's amazing what happens when you can use a bit more film area to capture the light. K100 was my favorite of the two to test and it's not a far cry from FP4+.

[@Murgoh]

I have shot some Kentmere in 35mm and I really liked the results so I guess I'll have to get my hands on some of the 120 stuff and give it a try. I really like medium format, a great compromise between the ease of 35mm and image quality of 4x5. My medium format camera of choice is the Mamiya RB67, big and heavy but takes great pictures and I like fully mechanical cameras. Also, capable of both 6x6 and 6x4.5 negative size by swithing backs. I also have a Kiev 88 and a couple of TLR:s for when I want something a little easier to carry.

[@MatMarrash]

The Mamiya RBs are beasts but man those 6x7 negatives! 😍 I think you're going to love Kentmere in 120.

[@FlashbackArrest]

Awesome video!

[@mathieubauwens9759]

Hey Mat, nice vidéo. I just sell my old Rolleiflex a few weeks ago. I do still use Kentmere 100 with my Leica. I do prefer the look of Rollei RPX for the 400 iso and for pushing the sensitivity. Good news that some film come in 120 format. Many thanks for the video.

[@rustandmagic]

I was correct ;) this is nice, I like it, I shoot more 120 than 4x5, Kentmere is not so easy to find around here, I shoot lots of Foma instead besides FP4 and HP5 (Mamiya RB67 and a Flexaret TLR)

[@nathanwatson3298]

Ordered a few rolls of the new Kentmere stocks from the FPP last week. Can't wait to try it!

[@MatMarrash]

At $5/roll, I'm about to breathe some new life into those medium format "shelf queens" of mine. ;)

[@gerrydavis1672]

I just bought 2 rolls of each Kentmere 120 speed. I am going to shoot winter landscapes in Vermont with my Mamiya 645, and I may try some vintage Zeiss Ikon 120 cameras from the 1930's.

[@ope19head]

Amazing video Matt. You may be burning the candle at both ends with MFM DIYD LFF but love them all and I'll be eagerly following them all. More power to you!

[@MatMarrash]

These certainly won't all be showing up on the same calendar week, but they're also different enough that content can be a little more focused. Cheers!

[@ope19head]

@@MatMarrash For your sake I hope they wont. That reminds me, let me shoot you an email for DIY D

[@Walkercolt1]

While I haven't done extensive testing on either Kentmere emulsion, both the 100 and 400 "like" the old Kodak D-23 developer formula (I like using it 1:1 in my Jobo processor). In the darkroom, enlargements on Ilford Multigrade FB (11x14 from 6x4.5 negs) are almost grainless, with a nice interior contrast on both skin tones and with contrast filters, a restrained contrast effect on landscapes. I'm 69, and the Kentmere 100 reminds me a little of Ansco (ASA 125) All-Weather Pan, which I prefered to Kodak Verichrome Pan in the late 1950's and 1960's. I am quite enamored with the Rollei (Agfa) emulsions, but price and availability are issues. A "hint": Kentmere 100 mustn't be under-exposed. In 35mm, I'll pay for Ilford films, but I don't shoot much 35mm B&W.

[@NoctiGirl]

This is awesome! You forgot to mention my awesome tripod 😝

[@MatMarrash]

Those poor, poor Leicas, that Noctilux hanging on by a thread ;__;

[@customerbf]

I would shoot Kentmere on my trusty Mamyia 7. Question: I am setting up a darkroom after many decades, and I shoot exclusively on Illford FO4 and HP5. Do you think that the films are close enough that I can do on my testing for set up and figuring out my workflow on Kentmere and then returning to FP4 an HP5 once I’ve got my system down?

[@MatMarrash]

Bryan that's a great question! For testing and setting up a darkroom space I think this would be more than adequate. This biggest difference in Ilford's Plus films is being able to handle more contrast than Kentmere. So while they won't print the same, they will still give you good practice with contrast filters and dodge/burn.

[@tedbarnett608]

What is your definition of "blocked highlights"? Thanks

[@MatMarrash]

I consider highlights blocked-up when a film with good exposure and processing has highlights that aren't readable through normal printing and/or scanning techniques.

[@Zetaphotography]

Darn. How do you have it already? I ordered 20 rolls on Dec 1 and never shipped (sent tracking but never shipped) after Dec 7th nothing. Crazy

[@DavidGriffin]

I know this is a year or two old... But I'll be busting some Kentmere 100 & 400 on both done 35mm and 120mm. Ricoh xr1 and a Yashica D TLR

[@samcaple8197]

100 and 400 On a Zenza Bronica SQ Ai with a 150mm f3.5 looks great!!

[@MatMarrash]

Glad to hear you're getting great results with Kentmere!

[@tylerhuttosmith]

Matt, I can't imagine how much that hoodie cost! I worked at a production house and we bought ARRI skypanels and got ARRI branded gloves. I'd assume the hoodie was something even cooler

[@MatMarrash]

Hey Tyler this came from a special demo event on the new Alexa 35. Definitely too rich for my blood, but I try to keep up on the latest tech (which is bonkers, btw).

[@tylerhuttosmith]

@@MatMarrash yep, that sounds about right haha.

[@jimwlouavl]

Great video and exciting news to have a new MF film.

[@lilkngstr]

Is this the ultrafine xtreme reincarnate I've been long waiting for?

[@MatMarrash]

Gone are the days of nearly $1/roll discount B&W films, but Kentmere is doing some heavy lifting for $5 film.

[@lilkngstr]

It was a not officially declared but pretty obvious Harmon produced, US sold product, marketed to students as a budget film in both 135 and 120. Seems like Harmon cut them off near the beginning of Covid. I have a bunch in the freezer, hoping for its return, but looks like they smartly went with Kentmere branding and the global market. In my testing, they are really close cousins, if not twins, both a couple bucks cheaper than fp4+/hp5+.

[@63MacGuy]

All those b&w film stocks can and are used by professionals everyday!

[@regaling]

The film looks great! What were you using to develop these films, 100 and 400?

[@MatMarrash]

Throughout testing various developers were used, but the main ones were FPP-110 (HC110 replacement) and Pyrocat HD.

[@regaling]

@@MatMarrash Is FPP110 very similar to HC110?

[@MatMarrash]

@@regaling Very similar, I've been using it for the last few years and times and dilutions from HC110 are exactly the same.

[@regaling]

@@MatMarrash that’s great! The question is will it still be around now that Kodak has stopped making their chemicals?

[@MatMarrash]

@@regaling Yes and in ample supply!

[@Dwarvenchef]

I shoot alot of medium format cameras as well as various backs on my 4x5

[@Ulrauko1980]

Heard that kentmere 400 and rollei 400 are similar. Both produced in England, same emulsion. Only rollei 400 was available in 120 format like forever

[@fortworthbret]

good stuff Mat. I'll check the freezer and see if I need any (who am I kidding)

[@MatMarrash]

Now the real question, is it the freezer or is it THE film freezer? ;)

[@andyvan5692]

mat, the hasselblads' slow speed is not just a "mirror slap" aka camera shake issue, you have the rear film baffles these may cut off the exposure early, if at 1/8" or slower, if you don't HOLD the shutter button until the shutter closes! ( at these speeds the baffles overtake the shutter blades in closing), so have a locking cable release, OR use the lever on the shutter button, this puts it into T {time exposure} mode; in this case it holds the button in, so set T [NO cable, this defeats the lock, it works on the button sleeve], press the button, then, to fully release the shutter flick the lever back, then cock in the normal manner with the rewind knob.

[@BHuij1992]

I kinda want to try them for stuff like pinhole work. Just like HP5+ and FP4+ too much to go away from them for my non-lo-fi stuff :)

[@MatMarrash]

Given how my buddy Stephen's Holga shots turned out, I think this would do quite nicely with pinhole!

[@GreggObst]

I have five rolls each of the 100 and 400 on the way from the FPP store. My plan is to shoot them specifically on old industrial sites with lots of texture, rust, etc and few highlight issues. I'd like to see what they do at box speed and developed in Diafine. That combination with HP5 is what I'm going to measure it against. Probably with the Bronica SQ-A. It's exciting to see someone making an effort at maintaining some affordability in the film space.

[@MatMarrash]

Diafine, that's a name I haven't heard in quite some time! ;) In brief conversations with other film testers of Kentmere 120, the 400 speed is less like it's Plus counterpart than 100. Let me know how the tests go!

[@kenblair2538]

Hey Matt, got 3 rolls of Kentmere 400 in the mail, to test photographing local landscapes and old buildings, with 6x6 format. KB

[@MatMarrash]

Very cool Ken! Next up for me are some landscapes on K100, but still not sure what camera to use!

[@fredw4252]

Shooting a zeiss nettar in 6x9 format

[@evanduffy1015]

I recently got a 6x12 holga pinhole camera, K400 will be perfect for that because the images never come out that sharp from that camera anyways 😆Seriously though, K400 is very good, I had a 100 foot roll of the 35mm stuff and its basically 95% as good as HP5 and a good bit cheaper ESPECIALLY in 100 foot rolls. I even pushed K400 to 1600 and got usable images out of it albeit very grainy

[@MatMarrash]

Evan I think you've found a nice match with K400 + lo-fi cameras! It does get grainy in those really underexposed shadows but that larger negative makes up a bit of the difference.

[@grandpascuba]

You seem to have taken an awful lot of pictures with 6 rolls of film. ?

[@MakersTeleMark]

I'm going to shoot some tacos with my 6x9.

[@fmiranda66]

Thank you for the film samples. It's a great film for the price and learn how to develop your own black-and-white films... I am a Kodak HC110B fan :0) (aka) @Leicar2d2