Fomapan 400 and Kentmere 400 are alternative budget friendly black and white films to your more premium options such as Ilford HP5+ and Kodak Tri-X 400.
If you're looking to shoot on a budget, these are two popular choices, but what's the difference between the two?
We delve into the performance, grain, contrast and usability of each film with sample images, so you don't have to!
Fomapan 400 Vs Kentmere 400 In Review
Fomapan 400 is produced by a Czech company called Foma Bohemia who have a long history in film manufacturing. It's known for distinctive grain structure, high contrast, and punchy tonality.
Kentmere 400 is produced by Harman Technology (also behind Ilford films) and it offers a more balanced look with finer grain, and a softer contrast.
Feature | Fomapan 400 | Kentmere 400 |
Grain | Gritty, vintage look | Finer, smoother |
Contrast | High contrast, dramatic | Softer contrast, balanced |
Sharpness | Moderate | Good |
Exposure Latitude | Narrow | Wider |
Pushability | Limited | Decent |
Development | Requires care | More forgiving |
Best For | Artistic, experimental, moody shots | Everyday shooting, portraits, street photography |
ISO | 400 | 400 |
Grain & Sharpness
Fomapan 400: This film has a noticeable grain structure that can be quite pronounced, especially in underexposed areas. Some photographers love its vintage aesthetic, while others find it a bit too gritty compared to smoother emulsions.
Kentmere 400: With a finer and more consistent grain, Kentmere 400 provides a smoother image. This makes it a good choice for those who prefer a cleaner look with slightly better sharpness.
Contrast & Tonality
Fomapan 400: High contrast is one of its defining traits. Shadows can block up, and highlights are less controlled as the film stock doesn't have an anti halation layer, this means there is a tendency for areas in bright direct light to have a glow around them. However, you can somewhat reduce this in TIFF scans if this isn't to your liking.
Kentmere 400: Offers a more balanced tonal range with softer contrast and has a more subdued look, this gives it a true to life black and white feel. It provides good detail in both shadows and highlights without the extreme contrast of Fomapan. Plus, it has a greater amount of dynamic range than Fomapan and offers a more gradual transition through mid tones and low light.
Exposure Latitude
Fomapan 400: Has a somewhat limited exposure latitude. Underexposing can lead to deep shadows with little detail, while overexposing can blow out highlights.
Kentmere 400: More forgiving when it comes to exposure errors. It can handle slight over- and underexposure better, making it a more reliable choice in varied lighting conditions.
Push & Pull Performance
Fomapan 400: Not the best candidate for pushing to higher ISOs. Pushing it to 800 or 1600 ISO tends to result in excessive grain and loss of detail.
Kentmere 400: Handles pushing slightly better, with more controlled grain and retained detail when rated at 800 ISO.
Our brand ambassador, Chris Evans has also put both of these films through their paces, have a look at his comparison video below to see his thoughts and view sample images from both films.
Both Fomapan 400 and Kentmere 400 are excellent budget-friendly choices for black & white film photography.
If you're looking for a more neutral, true to life black and white film, try Kentmere 400. On the other hand, if you want something slightly punchier, Fompan can enhance your compositions with a more dramatic overall finish to your images.
Have you shot with either of these 35mm films? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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