I've used Pan 100 and Pan 400 in the past, when a UK supplier offered it on a difficult to find part of their website. I get the impression that Ilford don't really want it distributed in first world countries as it's a lesser product than those generally sold here....but they acknowledge they can't do anything to stop dealers importing it.
As such it's cheaper than FP4+ orHP5+ but perfectly decent. I'd believe that it's an earlier iteration of those films. Kentmere is different stuff altogether.
As for bulk rolling, the one time I had scratches I traced them to a fault with a camera. Bulk rolling allows me to keep two or three different films in stock, taking up far less space than 15-20 rolls of each, and to choose when I roll a few cassettes of each depending on my needs. I can also choose the number of exposures....if I am testing a camera I'll roll 8 or 10....if I'm taking a day trip or shooting a gig I might roll 18....if I am going on a longer trip I'll roll a few cassettes of 36+. The flexibility is as important as the cost - though I certainly save about 1/3 on Ilford and Foma B&W film.
As such it's cheaper than FP4+ orHP5+ but perfectly decent. I'd believe that it's an earlier iteration of those films. Kentmere is different stuff altogether.
As for bulk rolling, the one time I had scratches I traced them to a fault with a camera. Bulk rolling allows me to keep two or three different films in stock, taking up far less space than 15-20 rolls of each, and to choose when I roll a few cassettes of each depending on my needs. I can also choose the number of exposures....if I am testing a camera I'll roll 8 or 10....if I'm taking a day trip or shooting a gig I might roll 18....if I am going on a longer trip I'll roll a few cassettes of 36+. The flexibility is as important as the cost - though I certainly save about 1/3 on Ilford and Foma B&W film.
