Looking to shoot analog but are discouraged by the rising cost of film? Maybe shooting black & white is the way to go! Here, I’ll talk about how B&W can save you a few bucks and recommend one of the more ‘affordable’ B&W films — the Kentmere Pan 400. Released in 2009 as a budget B&W film, Kentmere Pan 400 is a good alternative to color films and other B&W films like Kodak Tri-X and Ilford HP5, offering both value for money and versatility.
I know shooting B&W isn’t really for everybody, but if you are just starting out and want to experience shooting film without quickly breaking the bank, I think B&W film is a great starter. Generally, shooting B&W film is more forgiving than color film when it comes to exposure and developing. It gives you a wider margin of error, making it the perfect medium to play and learn from. I myself started my photography journey looking at B&W photos from photography pioneers and legends, and I remember getting inspired to learn more about the craft. I may not be better now than I was before, but B&W started the love that I still carry with me today.
Black and white also makes you focus on composition and removes distractions that can be caused by color. It teaches you to see the world in pure light, shadow, and form. It captures raw emotions. Okay, I Googled that, but you get what I mean.
With the constant rise of film prices, Kentmere Pan 400 B&W film remains one of the cheapest film stocks that produces beautiful results. Its 400 ISO makes it versatile in many shooting conditions, and the image quality is superb. It is sharp and contrasty, with a fine and pleasant film grain.
Plus, a few bucks saved from shooting B&W film means more frames to document your everyday life.
So there you have it, another piece of unsolicited advice coming from me wink. But do try shooting Black and White, and give Kentmere Pan 400 a shot. You won’t regret it. It’s sad that film prices continue to rise and stocks are getting hard to come by, but don’t let that stop us from shooting film. 🙂
King 