Kodak BW400CN is the first C-41 process black & white film I have tried. Unfortunately, Kodak has discontinued this film in year 2014.

To the best of my knowledge, another alternative to have C-41 process BW film would be Ilford XP-2. The XP-2 is also available as a disposable camera.

Anyway, the obvious benefit of shooting BW400CN is the availability of processing labs. You can just drop your film off at any lab to process the C-41 as usual. This is not much of an issue in Singapore because we can still find labs that readily develop black & white for us.

Most importantly, with this film, any staff that can operate the machine can just chuck the film in and press the button, this is especially true for America and maybe UK because their pharmacies provide processing services.

Let’s take a look at my samples of Kodak BW400CN.

Kodak BW400CN

All the photos were developed and scanned by PhotoCity Bangkok (where to develop film in Bangkok).

I like the tone of this film. The deep dark kind of tones.

As for the grains, I think it depends on the exposure. Singlish: But ok la, not too bad, for a ISO 400 speed film.

Now, I am very keen to try the Ilford XP2.

Skin Tones

I have been shooting other black & white films and I must admit my exposure skill is not perfect, yet. I noticed sometime the skin tone of my human models blend in with the surrounding.

Such as this:

But if you scroll back up to my BW400CN human shots, you may see the distinct skin tone the film is able to differentiate.

Is it because of my developing or scanning problem? Or is it just the film characteristic? Or is it the exposure?

Photography is not easy at all.

 

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Other film review articles:

• Fujifilm fp-100c peel apart film
• AgfaPhoto Vista Plus 400 (aka Agfa Vista 400)
• FujiColor C200
• Fujifilm Neopan SS black & white (expired 2005)
• Fujifilm Pro 400H
• Ilford Pan 400 pushed to 1600
• Ilford Pan 400 shot at ISO 400
• Kodak Color Plus 200
• Kodak Ektar 100
• Kodak Gold 200
• Kodak Portra 400
• Kodak Tmax 400 (35mm &120mm)
• Lucky SHD 100 black & white
• Lomochrome Purple XR100-400 on Contax TVS
• Tudorcolor XLX 200 (expired)
• Walgreens 200

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