Known/rumored respoolings: Agfa APX 400 (Maco Direct). In all honesty, I’m not 100% certain that this internet rumor is true, and I acknowledge I’m going out on a limb by grouping what is marketed today as Agfa APX 400 into a discussion of Kentmere Pan 400. But based on my observations, film in cartridges branded as Kentmere Pan behaves very similarily if not identically to the currently-available Agfa APX. But whatever the case may be on this question, today’s Agfa APX is most certainly not the Agfa APX of years past.
Observations: Kentmere Pan 400 is especially attractive because of its fine grain for a 400-speed film, and its shadow performance is also good when exposed for highlights. It has well balanced contrast, more so than what I’ve seen Kentmere Pan 100 do. This film delivers bold dark tones and a satisfying range of greys in shadow regions without going overboard. If I want to make Kentmere Pan 400 look more like Ilford HP5 Plus, all I have to do is increase contrast a bit.
Left: Nikon FM10 with Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens, Agfa APX 400 film, 1/250 sec., f/8.
Note the clear blue sky in the upper left of this image retains excellent grey tones without overexposing while the shadowy underside of the hotel overhang shows good detail and brightness.
Right: Nikon FM10 with Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens, Agfa APX 400 film, 1/1000 sec., f/2.8.
I scanned this image from the negative using the Kodak B&W+ 400 Negafix profile in Silverfast, and I also applied an auto-level adjustment in Paint.NET.Nikon FM10 with Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.5-4.8 zoom lens, Agfa APX 400 film, 1/125 sec., f/11.
This is another good example of this film stock’s ability to handle shadows and highlights simultaneously well.
Left: Nikon FM10 with Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens, Agfa APX 400 film, 1/500 sec., f/8.
I chose my exposure settings to hit the sweet spot between highlights and shadows, and the result was a well balanced exposure that shows good shadow brightness without overexposing highlights.
Right: Nikon F with Nikkor-H 50mm f/2 lens, Kentmere Pan 400 film, 1/250 sec., f/8.
Here, I chose exposure settings for shadow details while also trying to avoid overexposing the sky in the distance.Nikon F with Nikkor-H 50mm f/2 lens, Kentmere Pan 400 film, 1/1000 sec., f/11.
Exposed for harsh midday light on a bright sunny day, details in the shadowy underside of this railroad bridge are still rendered very well.
Left: Nikon F with Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 lens, Kentmere Pan 400 film, 1/125 sec., f/4.
Taken on an overcast day under the shade of relatively heavy tree cover, this image demonstrates Kentmere Pan 400’s ability to deliver a wonderful range of grey tones.
Right: Nikon F with Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 lens, Agfa APX 400 film, 1/1000 sec., f/11.
I ignored my light meter’s recommendation of 1/1000 sec. at f/8 because I wanted to expose for bright afternoon sunlight and render shadow regions darker.
