Rollei RPX 100

Known/rumored respoolings: There is internet chatter that claims Rollei RPX 100 is actually respooled Kentmere Pan 100. While it may be true that Harman Technologies, the owner of Ilford and the manufacturer of the Kentmere line, produces Rollei RPX to the specifications of Maco Direct, who licenses the Rollei and AgfaPhoto brands, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Harman is simply placing Kentmere Pan film into Rollei RPX-branded cartridges. As similar as they may be, I’ve personally observed enough difference between these two film stocks to doubt the rumors.

Observations: Rollei RPX 100 scores very high on my list of slow-speed black and white film stocks. It has excellent contrast, great tonal range, and is rather forgiving of exposure errors.

Further reading: bluemooncameracodex.com, alexluyckx.com.

These two images have excellent contrast straight out of the scanner. Left: Nikon F with Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 lens, Rollei RPX 100 film, 1/500 sec., f/2.8. Right: Nikon F with Nikkor-H 50mm f/2 lens, Rollei RPX 100 film, 1/125 sec., f/8.
Two examples of how well Rollei RPX 100 handles lighting scenarios toward either extreme. Left: Nikon F with Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 lens, Rollei RPX 100 film, 1/60 sec., f/2. This image shows good tonal range while keeping highlights around the light bulbs under control. Right: Nikon F with Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 lens, Rollei RPX 100 film, 1/1000 sec., f/8. Even though I exposed for the bright sky above, shadow detail is still visible on the underside of the parking structure.