Kentmere Pan 200 Film Test in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles
During a layover as a flight attendant, I had the chance to spend a few hours in Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles, together with my best friend Mel. The light was soft and diffused, the sky characteristically Californian and overcast – in other words, perfect conditions to test the brand-new Kentmere Pan 200 black and white film.
The film was developed by Safelight Berlin, as always with outstanding results. I was immediately impressed by the flexibility of Kentmere Pan 200: it handles overexposure beautifully, retains plenty of detail in the highlights, and offers a pleasantly natural grain. The sharpness is crisp without being clinical – exactly the look I want for my style of analog photography.
The images capture a mix of beach scenes, everyday street life, local architecture, and small in-between moments that make Hermosa Beach such a unique place. It was a relaxed walk with the Leica M6 and Zeiss 50mm f/2 Planar lens – no pressure, just photographing whatever caught my eye.
I can see Kentmere Pan 200 becoming a regular choice in my film bag, especially for documentary work, everyday reportage, or travel photography when I want to travel light but still capture rich, versatile tones.
Camera: Leica M6 with Zeiss 50mm f/2 Planar
Film: Kentmere Pan 200 (35mm, black and white)
Development: Safelight Berlin
Location: Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles
Whether you’re new to analog photography or already a passionate film photographer, the Kentmere Pan 200 deserves your attention. It combines the reliability of Ilford’s film heritage with an approachable price point – making it a fantastic option for everyday shooting.
