Fomapan 200 vs Kentmere PAN 100: Budget B&W Film Compared

Quick answer

Choose Kentmere PAN 100 if you shoot 35mm and want a low-cost ISO 100 film with fine grain for daylight work. Choose Fomapan 200 Creative in 120 if you need a medium-format negative with broad grey tones and a bit more speed. The real trade-off is format and speed, not just price.

Speed and format decide more than the price tag

These two films are often compared because both sit near the bottom of the price list, but they are not direct substitutes. Kentmere PAN 100 is a 35mm, ISO 100 film, while Fomapan 200 Creative is a 120 roll at ISO 200. If your camera only takes 35mm, the Fomapan roll is not an option; if you are loading a 6x6 or 6x7 back, the Kentmere cassette will not fit.

That format gap matters for grain. A 120 negative enlarged to the same print size shows less grain than a 35mm frame, so Fomapan 200's ISO 200 speed does not automatically mean a coarser print than Kentmere PAN 100 at ISO 100. The comparison only becomes fair when you match output size and lighting.

Where each film earns its place

Kentmere PAN 100 is the simpler choice for bright conditions and handheld 35mm shooting where you can comfortably use ISO 100. Its low price makes it easy to burn through a roll testing a new camera or lens.

Fomapan 200 Creative is the more flexible option for medium-format users who want a slower, more deliberate workflow. Its ISO 200 rating gives a little extra headroom in overcast light, and the 120 format suits landscape, portrait and architectural work where tonality matters more than absolute sharpness.

The trade-off you cannot ignore

Neither film is a premium product, and the catalog does not list every specification you might want, such as exact grain size, reciprocity characteristics or recommended developers. Treat both as budget films that reward sensible exposure and straightforward development rather than as precision instruments.

The practical trade-off is this: Kentmere PAN 100 gives you cheap 35mm frames at ISO 100, while Fomapan 200 Creative gives you cheap 120 frames at ISO 200. Pick the format your camera uses first, then decide whether the speed suits your light.

Trade-offs at a glance

• Format lock-in: Kentmere PAN 100 only fits 35mm cameras; Fomapan 200 Creative only fits 120 cameras. Check your camera before comparing price per frame. Price per roll is meaningless if the format does not match your camera.
• Speed versus light: ISO 100 Kentmere needs more light or a wider aperture than ISO 200 Fomapan. In dim conditions, the Fomapan roll gives you one extra stop before you reach for a tripod. Match film speed to your typical shooting light, not just to the price.
• Grain at equal print size: A 120 negative from Fomapan 200 will usually show less grain in a given print size than a 35mm frame from Kentmere PAN 100, even though its ISO is higher. Compare grain on the final print size, not on the negative.

Product facts

• Kentmere PAN 100 - 35mm 36Exp: Kentmere PAN 100 is a 35mm, 36-exposure film rated at ISO 100 and made by Ilford. It suits 35mm cameras in daylight and keeps costs low enough to shoot freely.

  

• Foma Fomapan 200 Creative - 120: Fomapan 200 Creative is a panchromatically sensitized 120 black and white negative film rated at ISO 200/24, made by Foma in the Czech Republic. It gives medium-format shooters a faster budget option with a long-established manufacturer behind it.

  

Which film fits your shooting?

Best for

• 35mm shooters who want a low-cost ISO 100 film for daylight and testing cameras
• Beginners who want a simple, forgiving black and white film in the most common format

Not for

• Medium-format camera owners, who cannot use a 35mm cassette
• Shooters who regularly work in low light and need more than ISO 100