Bergger Pancro 400

[Arthurwg]

Anybody shoot Bergger Pancro 400? At $5.99 a role for 120 it seems like a real bargain. But how does it compare to Try-X?

 

[removedacct1]

Bergger Pancro 400 is a fine film, but it has some quirks. It isn’t really a 400 speed film; expect to expose it at 200 ASA or lower, depending on the desired results. It has a surprisingly dense film base + fog density, but you can print through it easily. It’s got larger, more coarse grain compared to Tri-X, but in 120 format (and larger), that’s not an issue. I don’t recommend Pancro 400 in 35mm format: way too grainy. Do NOT develop this film in Rodinal: the grain structure becomes clumpy and excessively coarse, and you’ll struggle to retain shadow detail. Xtol is better, and BER49 is better still.
Example photos:

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I shot a couple rolls a while back and liked it. The very high B+F shocked me at first, but still produced nice images.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I had some issues with it in 5x7 sheet film size - when I developed it in Pyrocat-HD, I got frilling- the edges of the emulsion started lifting off the base. It wasn't so bad that it intruded into the image area, but it was strong enough that I would not be able to contact print the negatives without it showing. The end result was that I had to scan the negatives and produce new digitally restored ones to work with. When I contacted Bergger about it, their response was, "well, it does that". There was no warning in the data sheet that came with it to avoid Pyro-based developers, and Bergger's attitude was one of we-couldn't-care-less. On that basis, I cannot recommend it as a film.

 

[removedacct1]

I’ve used PMK with Pancro 400 several times and not had any issues with frilling, etc.

 

[Steven Lee]

@paulbarden nice images!

 

[ags2mikon]

@paulbarden those are very nice. You have made the film shine. I just went to B&H to order some and it is out of stock. So I ordered some more HP-5. I keep looking.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have not seen any Bergger in quite a while. Last rumor I read was that Iveracoat (sp?) was coating the film and Harman finished it. Iveracoat was or is in receivership? I did not like Panco in 35mm, 6X9 was fine, has a different look to it than Foma or Tmax 400, wanted to shoot a box of 4X5.

 

[ags2mikon]

It reminds me of Tri X of the 1960's and 1970's. Full scale tones but a bit grainy. Especially in 35mm.

 

[removedacct1]

@paulbarden nice images!

@paulbarden those are very nice. You have made the film shine. I just went to B&H to order some and it is out of stock. So I ordered some more HP-5. I keep looking.

Thanks.
For my tastes, its superior to HP5+ - better tonality, better separation of higher values.

I thought Adorama had Pancro 400 in stock, but it seems I'm mistaken. In fact, I can't see any US vendor that has any right now. I suspect its not about manufacturing, but supply chain. Three years ago - pre-pandemic - I know that Blue Moon struggled to get inventory of any Bergger products and they said it was the US distributor that was the issue. I don't imagine things have improved any in 3 years. You can buy the 120 and 35mm rolls direct from Bergger, but even they do not have inventory of the sheet film sizes. I'll refrain from reading anything into that.

 

[fs999]

It develops perfectly in Caffenol CL for 70 min or CLCS for 80 min.

Plaubel Makina 67
Bergger Pancro 400 film developped in Caffenol CLCS 80min @15°-20°C
Scanned with Plustek OpticFilm 120 at 2400dpi with Silverfast AI Studio

Bonnieux • Lubéron • Vaucluse • Provence • France



Caffenol CLCS
500 ml Filtered Water
8gr Anhydrous Washing Soda
5gr Vitamin C
0.5gr KBr
20gr Instant coffee ("Cora")
60 sec. slow agitations then let stand for 79 minutes

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I’ve used PMK with Pancro 400 several times and not had any issues with frilling, etc.

It was several years ago, so maybe they fixed the issue with newer batches of the film.

 

[abruzzi]

Anybody shoot Bergger Pancro 400? At $5.99 a role for 120 it seems like a real bargain. But how does it compare to Try-X?

Where are you finding this? It’s been out of stock everywhere for a few years.

 

[Arthurwg]

Yikes! Can't find where I saw it. Maybe that's an old price and I don't see it listed.

 

[aparat]

I love it for portraits. It can be beautifully subtle in terms of tonality, esp. In 120. Sadly, I ran out of my supply and haven't yet restocked. I've thought it's out of stock in the US.

 

[ags2mikon]

I could not find it before covid so I ordered HP-5+ and I am almost out so I looked again and ordered more HP-5+ because I can't find it. Was it inoviscoat that was doing the coating?

 

[Paul Howell]

That's my understanding, it was finished Harman.

 

[Trask]

Back in January I requested B&H to inform me when they had Berger 400 in 120 available -- every week since then I've received a nice automated email telling me "not yet"!

 

[Terryro]

Same here with B&H. Any info when it might be available? Really want to try the film.

 

[markjwyatt]

I have not seen it available in the US most of the year. I made a few notes here: https://www.flickr.com/groups/3292035@N20/discuss/72157721916019555/

 

[removedacct1]

It appears to be possible to purchase direct from Bergger, but only the roll film formats.
Freestyle doesn't even list the roll formats in their catalog anymore, so I suspect this means they're not planning on trying to stock it again.

 

[AgX]

Where are you finding this? It’s been out of stock everywhere for a few years.

In stock at Macodirect. In stock at Ars Imago. In stock at Nordfoto. Thus available in this part of the world.

 

[Arthurwg]

I saw a more recent price, just under $10, on Photo Warehouse, but none available.

 

[removedacct1]

I saw a more recent price, just under $10, on Photo Warehouse, but none available.

I suspect that if you're really serious about trying it, you're going to have to order direct from Bergger. I've had a restock alert at two retailers for 20 months now, and still waiting for restock.

 

[markjwyatt]

I bought a little from Freestyle late last year (35mm), and as I realized it was drying up, I picked up a small order in 120 from another retailer (maybe B&H or Adorama) early this year. I have not seen any in the US since.