Kentmere PAN 200 Film Review

17 May 2025

Black And White Film Reviews, Film Reviews

Here is our Kentmere PAN 200 Film Review. We shot a roll in our Contax G2. Have a look at our film review and see what you think.

Kentmere PAN is Ilford’s budget-friendly film range, and the 100 and 400 speed versions have long been reliable, affordable choices. We often recommend them as great starting points for beginners. Now, Ilford has expanded the lineup with Kentmere PAN 200. Of course, we had to give it a try.

We loaded a roll into our Contax G2 and headed out to West Dulwich to see what this new film has to offer.

Increased Contrast

The weather was ideal for testing a medium-speed film: plenty of bright sunlight and deep shadows, perfect for pushing the film to its limits.

PAN 200 has a noticeably different grain structure compared to its 100 and 400 siblings, which we really liked. It features a clear, low-density base that gives it increased contrast, distinguishing it from the other films in the Kentmere range. Despite the added contrast, we were impressed by how well it preserved detail in both the highlights and shadows.

It also appears to have less of an anti-halation layer than the 100 and 400, which gives highlights a pleasing glow in bright areas. A subtle but appealing effect.

Developing

Our friends at Photofusion kindly handled developing and scanning. They used Ilford’s recommended development times and were pleased with the results. The clear film base also made scanning straightforward, which is a bonus for anyone digitising their negatives.

Welcome Addition

Kentmere PAN 200 is a strong and welcome addition to Ilford’s budget lineup. It offers more flexibility in speed and a distinct visual character that sets it apart. Whether you’re new to film or a seasoned shooter looking for affordable variety, Pan 200 is an easy film to recommend. It’s one we’ll definitely be using again.

Film: Kentmere Pan 200
Format: 35mm
Rated at: 200 ISO
Shot on: Contax G2
Location: West Dulwich, South London
Developed and Scanned: Photofusion

Mid Century Housing estate driveway and houses.

Plants growing around a garage door on a housing estate.

Black and white photograph of a mid-century modern brick house facade with a large rectangular window divided into panels, reflecting trees and a building across the street. A rose bush and other garden plants grow in the foreground near a wall-mounted house number '5'. Taken on 35mm Film

Black and white photograph of a mid-century modern residential street scene, showing a white garage door on the right, a central tree surrounded by shrubs, and a lamp post on the left, with strong shadows cast across the paved walkway. Taken on Kentmere Pan 200

Black and white photograph of a large tree with dense, fluffy foliage extending to the left side of the frame, set against a clear sky.

Kentmere Pan 200 Film, Housing Estate West Dulwich 3

We review the most popular films in the shop and some new and lesser-known ones to see how they compare. Have a look at the full list of our Film Reviews.

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200 ISO Contax G2