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Rollei RPX 400

Known/rumored respoolings: There is internet chatter that claims Rollei RPX 400 is actually respooled Kentmere Pan 400. 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: This film stock has excellent contrast with a look that is similar to Rollei RPX 100. But its coarseness of grain is a bit too strong for my tastes. It also seems to have somewhat more contrast pop as compared to Kentmere Pan 400. Highlights can sometimes appear a hair overexposed. I find RPX 400 to have just a little bit of a temperamental nature, but it’s a decent performer overall.

Further reading: bluemooncameracodex.com, alexluyckx.com, petapixel.com.

Nikon FM10 with Nikkor 50mm f/2 AI lens, Rollei RPX 400 film, 1/500 sec., f/11. Rollei RPX 400 can deliver well-balanced tonal ranges even when subjects are in brighter light.
Left: Nikon F with Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 lens, Rollei RPX 400 film, 1/500 sec., f/11. When exposed to brighter subjects like the sky, RPX 400 can show a bit more grain than what I would like. Right: Nikon F with Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 lens, Rollei RPX 400 film, 1/125 sec., f/2.8. Although the light was admittedly on the flat side, I would have like to have seen a bit better contrast here. Still, RPX 400 rendered shadows well without blowing out the sky in the background.
Nikon FM10 with Nikkor 50mm f/2 AI lens, Rollei RPX 400 film, 1/250 sec., f/4. In low-light settings, RPX 400 has good shadow and highlight performance.