Kentmere Pan 100 Film Review with Sample Photos Using a Holga 120 GCFN Camera | The Best Affordable Black and White Film for Beginner Photographers

October 20, 2025

When I was planning my 16-day trip to England to hike the 102-mile Cotswold Way National Trail, I wanted to bring a handful of different film stocks I’d never tried before. I loaded up my film pouch with dozens of color and black and white film rolls, knowing I’d have to carry it all for 102 miles, but knowing at the end of it all, it would be worth it. Or at least, hoping it would be! There is nothing more exciting to me than capturing my travels on film. Taking photos on my phone of a place I’d potentially never be able to visit again in my lifetime, just doesn’t cut it for me. I need memorable, one-of-a-kind images that I could proudly hang on my wall.

Kentmere Pan 100 is one of those films I’ve seen time and time again when shopping online for film, but I’ve never tried because it just seemed too affordable. It made me question whether it could take photos that compared to some of the more expensive black and white film stocks, like Neopan Acros 100 or Ilford HP5. But, considering I had a LOT of film to buy for my trip, I didn’t want to spend my entire life savings on film. Kentmere Pan 100 is one of the cheapest black and white 120 films out there and is often considered a “student grade” film for those who are just starting out or don’t want to spend a ton of money on film. I’m honestly surprised I never tried this one out in college! It’s available in 35 mm and 120 formats, so I’ll have to try out the 35 mm version next!

When I was first scanning film from my trip, I could tell immediately I was going to love this film. There was a soft eeriness to it that perfectly complimented the old churches and buildings I photographed throughout my hike. I was surprised by the level of sharpness that such an affordable film offered. While its not quite as sharp as I’m used to for a 100 speed film, I added just a tiny bit of sharpening when editing in Lightroom and it turned out exactly as I’d hoped. One of the most exciting aspects of this film was how well it handled low light. Oftentimes, when I’m shooting with a toy camera like the Holga GCFN and I’m using 100 speed film, I have to make sure I’m shooting in extremely bright daylight with no shade whatsoever, in order to get the best images possible. However, with this film I noticed that it handled the shadows with ease, offering more detail that I would have expected. While it’s definitely not as contrasty as Neopan Acros 100 (one of my favorite black and white films), sometimes it’s nice to have images that start out a little more flat. That way, you can adjust the shadows and highlights to your liking. There is hardly any noticeable grain at all in this film, which is ideal for fine art printing because you can blow up your images rather large and still get clarity and smoothness. This would be a great film for darkroom printing, which is why I’m assuming it’s often used for students and photographers who are just starting their journey into film photography.

I honestly have nothing bad to say about this film. It’s incredibly affordable and is a perfect standard black and white film. While I personally prefer the tiniest bit more contrast, I still love how dreamy and nostalgic these images turned out. I will definitely be including this film stock in my future B&H orders (my favorite place to buy cameras & film!), especially because it’s cheap! But also because it’s easy to work with, offers great detail and sharpness for the price, and captured my hike in the Cotswolds exactly how I hoped it would. :) If you want to find out more about our hike, I have a full video series on my YouTube channel. You can watch it here!

WHERE TO BUY KENTMERE PAN 100 120 FILM

B&H Photo

WHERE TO BUY KENTMERE PAN 100 35 MM FILM

Adorama

B&H Photo

Amazon

You can read more about my favorite black and white film stocks here or my favorite color 35 mm film stocks here!

If you found this post helpful or inspiring, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my B&H Photo storefront & Amazon Storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

Ricoh 500GX 35 mm Camera Review with Sample Photos in England! | The Best Compact Film Camera for Travel

October 11, 2025

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

When I was planning my 16 day trip to England, where we’d be hiking 102 miles along the Cotswold Way National Trail, I knew I needed to choose my cameras very carefully. Not only would I be carrying them the entire time, but I was also potentially encountering various types of weather and lighting. I have a tendency to bring at least 6 cameras with my on my international trips, but I wanted this specific trip to challenge me to downsize. And let me tell you, it was difficult. Of course, I knew I was going to bring my Holga 120 GCFN as my medium format camera and my Canon G7X Mark II as my point and shoot digital camera, but I was having a hard time finding the ultimate 35 mm camera for this sort of adventure. That is, until I found the Ricoh 500GX.

THE STORY BEHIND MY SEARCH

I spent days researching 35 mm cameras. I made spreadsheets. I used Chat GPT like it was my job. When I’m looking for a new camera, there are always a few features I absolutely cannot live without. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I’m obsessed with multiple exposures. Searching for 35 mm film cameras that easily can create multiple exposures isn’t an easy task. For most people, that feature isn’t a deal breaker. But for me, on a 102 mile hike, it was absolutely a deal breaker. The other feature that was necessary for this trip was a super lightweight and small body. I didn’t want to weigh myself down and make the hike any harder than it had to be. I considered taking my Nikon FE2, one of my favorite vintage 35 mm cameras (you can read more about it on my blog here), but it was a bit too bulky to fit in my tiny camera bag I had purchased for this trip. I had also already decided which point and shoot 35 mm camera I was going to take (don’t worry, I have a full blog post coming about that camera too!) but I wanted to bring along a second 35 mm camera that was higher quality with sharper images and a better lens.

I was also working with a very specific budget. I was hoping to stay within the $200-300 range. There were plenty of cameras out there closer to $500 or $1000 that I would have loved to buy, but I’d already spent way too much money on gear for the hike. (P.S. I have a full YouTube series and downloadable PDF all about our hike, if you’re interested!)

I almost pulled the trigger on the Rollei QZ 35T but when I realized that the camera body wasn’t super durable and would not fare well in a rainstorm, it became too risky to spend that much money on a camera for this particular trip.

Typically, I prefer an aperture priority setting on my cameras. However, when I stumbled upon the Ricoh 500GX, it seemed to cover all of the topics I mentioned above, but it had a shutter priority setting instead. Not ideal, but still a partially automatic setting that would allow me to take photos quickly and easily. We had a lot of miles to cover every day, so I couldn’t spend the entire time fiddling with manual settings for every photo. The Ricoh 500GX was also super tiny and was known for it’s durable metal body. The original version of this camera (which also tends to be easier to find) doesn’t have a multiple exposure feature, but the Ricoh 500GX has a designated multiple exposure lever on the front of the camera. It’s also known for it’s sharp Rikenon 40 mm f/2.8 lens. The lens is built-in and non-detachable, which also helps to keep the camera small and compact.

HISTORY

The Ricoh 500GX was released around 1977 in Japan (somehow I always end up choosing Japanese cameras!) and was sold throughout the 1980s. It’s considered a compact 35 mm rangefinder camera and was one of the last styles in the 500-series line that was produced. The Ricoh brand wasn’t quite as popular as some of the bigger brands, which allowed it’s price point to stay relatively low. But that’s precisely why it’s a great camera. You get high quality for a low price.

WHY THE RICOH 500GX IS SPECIAL

Not only is it good value for the price, it also offers a few smaller features that most 35 mm cameras didn’t offer at the time. Some of these might seem like minor conveniences, but they truly make a difference. The Ricoh 500GX has a battery check light, a shutter lock (to help prevent the shutter from firing accidentally), a bulb setting for long exposures, a tripod mount, a film-loading indicator, a shutter indicator, and a “coupled” rangefinder focusing system. A coupled rangefinder allows for more precise focusing because the focus ring is mechanically linked to the actual rangefinder system. It can take some patience to get used to manual focus, particularly when it comes to a rangefinder, but this is a great camera to learn manual focus and get comfortable with it. Just as an FYI, the 500GX takes a PX675 mercury battery that is not made anymore. You do not need a battery to use the camera, but it will make the light meter work. The shutter priority setting does not fully function either without a battery, though I seemed to manage just fine in the Cotswolds without a battery in the camera. A modern replacement of the PX675 battery would be a PR44 battery.

All of these features are on top of the shutter priority, compact and durable metal body, sharp f/2.8 lens, and the multiple exposure lever that comes with the 500GX model. It’s a perfect blend between a point and shoot camera and a larger, more professional SLR camera.

HOW TO CREATE MULTIPLE EXPOSURES

I’m so glad I did a test roll before bringing it with me on my trip, because I quickly discovered that my multiple exposure knob was completely stuck and wasn’t functioning at all. My husband and I spent an entire day trying to loosen it. We tried rubbing alcohol, goo gone, grease, everything. The joys of vintage cameras! I swear, someone must have glued the knob in the closed position. I’m not surprised though, because if you’re not a fan of multiple exposures and the setting annoys you, I can see someone getting sick of it and gluing it shut. In order to use the multiple exposure setting, you have to first twist a small circular lock knob into the green, “open” position. This will free the multiple exposure lever, which you then slide into the direction of the arrow until you feel it stop. This has re-cocked the shutter and you can take another photo. Just make sure not to wind the advance lever until you’ve taken your second exposure. In my case, we were able to slowly move the circular knob into the open position (with a LOT of pressure), but it is permanently stuck there. So, essentially, my camera is always primed for the multiple exposure setting. In a fully functioning 500GX, the circular knob would automatically switch back to the red, “closed” position after you’ve taken your second image. I don’t really understand why Ricoh felt the need to make it a two-step process, but I’m just glad that I was able to get mine working!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Looking back on my trip, I don’t think I could have found a more perfect 35 mm camera. While the camera was actually a bit heavier than I’d anticipated, it’s because the body is incredibly sturdy and rugged, ideal for a hike with unpredicatable weather and rugged hillsides. On the flip side, it was much smaller and more compact than I expected, which I absolutely love, of course. I was able to bring 4 cameras with me that somehow magically fit inside my tiny camera bag. I posted a full YouTube video about the various cameras I brought with me. You can watch it on my channel here!

I also just think the camera itself is so beautiful and classic. The black and silver styling, the cute tiny lens, the sharp edges. It’s one of my favorite cameras to look at, that’s for sure. Not to mention, the satisfying click that you get with those vintage 35 mm cameras every time the shutter releases. There’s just nothing like it!

I know with 100% certainty that this camera will be going with me on many more trips. Because it’s so compact, there’s really no excuse for not bringing it with me everywhere! I dropped it into a field of cow manure on our trip and it came out without a scratch! I have a tendency to drop my cameras, so the fact that it is such a sturdy little thing is a major plus for me. And while I’m not as comfortable with shutter priority as I am with aperture priority, I got used to it quickly and I was able to get the images I wanted with some thoughtful planning. I could rave about this camera all day because it really is amazing for the price. I truly think this one flies under the radar so make sure to snatch one up as soon as possible! I’ve included tons of sample photos below from our trip so make sure to browse through to help you decide if this camera is for you!

WHERE TO FIND THE RICOH 500GX OR RICOH 500G

RICOH 500GX

Etsy

eBay

RICOH 500G & 500 (no multiple exposure option, but easier to find)

Etsy

eBay

KEH Camera

RECOMMENDED FILM STOCK

You can read more about my favorite color 35 mm film stocks here or my favorite black and white film stocks here!

<3 Myles Katherine

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

Fujifilm 200 Color Negative 35 mm Film Review with Sample Photos in Paris, France!

July 23, 2025

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

For years, I’ve always gravitated towards Kodak film stocks, but lately I’ve been branching out and trying more Fujifilm options. There’s something incredibly nostalgic about 35 mm Fujifilm, probably because it was common in the 80s and 90s for disposable cameras to be pre-loaded with a version of color Fujifilm or Kodak, and I specifically remember the way that Fujifilm disposable looked from my childhood.

I decided to try out the Fujifilm 200 Color Negative film with my Canon Rebel K2 while I was in Paris, France. I have a full blog post and YouTube video about the Canon Rebel K2, if you’d like to learn more about it! It’s a fairly average 35 mm camera, but I find it to be the perfect travel camera, especially if you’re just getting into film photography.

Going through these photos from my trip to Paris reminds me of why I love shooting film photography on my trips. Every image just feels sentimental and memorable. With film photography, there is just more thought and decisiveness that goes into creating an image than it does with digital photography. Every photo costs money, so each one is intentional and important to me.

Overall, I’m pleasantly surprised by this film in that it captured quite a bit of detail in the shadows for a 200 ISO film. I do find it to be a bit grainy for a 200 speed film, but the color tones are beautiful. I absolutely love the slight green tint that I find Fujifilm to have because it’s almost as if the images have already aged a bit. It reminds me of looking through old photographs from my childhood that have turned a bit dusty or discolored after sitting in the photo album for a decade or two. Sometimes though, the slight green tint can become a bit difficult to deal with in post-processing if you’re photographing out in nature or with lots of foliage. There can just be too much green. In those situations, I’d probably prefer to use something like Kodak Portra 160 or 400 because they have more natural color tones.

For the price though, Fujifilm 200 Color Negative is a fun, reliable film stock. I don’t find it to be too oversaturated, which can be an issue with other low-price film stocks. One issue I tend to have with cheaper film is with skin tones. I often end up having to pull out red, yellows, and oranges but I didn’t find myself doing that with this film. I actually didn’t want to mess with the color tones too much in post-processing because the magic of Fujifilm is that it does have that vintage greenish tint to it.

I definitely want to try out this film with one of my more expensive 35 mm cameras so that I can really see what it’s capable of, especially with a wider aperture that may decrease the visible grain. But overall, I have no regrets using this film on my trip to Paris and I will definitely continue to try this film out more in the future!

WHERE TO BUY FUJIFILM FUJICOLOR 200 35 MM FILM

Amazon

B&H Photo

Or pick up a Fujifilm disposable camera if you really want to go for the full retro film vibe!

I’ve included a full roll of images from Paris using my Canon Rebel K2 below. I hope this post helps you decide if Fujifilm 200 is something you want to try out! If you’re on the hunt for other 35 mm color films, make sure to check out my post The Best Color Film for 35 mm Cameras | Top 5 Best 35 mm Color Films.