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Film comparison

Ilford HP5 Plus vs Harman Technology Kentmere Pan 400

  • HP5 Plus is more forgiving of exposure errors.
  • Kentmere Pan 400 is cheaper in 35mm (about £6.00 vs £7.50).
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Side by side

HP5 PlusKentmere Pan 400
ManufacturerIlfordHarman Technology
TypeBlack & whiteBlack & white
Box speedISO 400ISO 400
ProcessB&WB&W
Formats35mm, 120, 4x5, 8x1035mm, 120
GrainMediumMedium
ContrastMediumMedium
LatitudeExcellentGood
Saturation——
Price, 35mmabout £7.50about £6.00
Price, 120about £6.50about £6.00
AvailabilityCurrentCurrent

Rows that differ are in bold. Prices are typical UK prices and change often.

How they look

HP5 Plus
A robust, all-purpose film. Slightly lower contrast than Tri-X with excellent shadow detail and pushability.
Kentmere Pan 400
Harman's budget line. Clean, flat negative that scans well. Finer grain than Fomapan but less character.

Which suits what

Better pick: HP5 Plus

Education, General purpose

Both work well

Street

Better pick: Kentmere Pan 400

Students, Scanning

Long exposures (reciprocity)

MeteredHP5 PlusKentmere Pan 400
1s1s1s
10s20s20s
30s1m 26s1m 23s
2m8m 49s8m 25s

Corrected exposure from each film’s published reciprocity data. Reciprocity calculator

Developing both

Developers with published times for both films:

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