Bergger Pancro 400 - Film Review

Loved this film in 35mm, but the 120 version just blows me away. Great contrast and pleasant grain. Shot at 400 under many lighting conditions and handled them all extremely well. Hard for me to ask for anything more than this film delivers. Especially impressed with shadow detail. I’ve now shot 3 rolls of Bergger 35mm and 1 roll of 120 and this is quickly becoming my favorite b&w film.

Since my return to film photography, I’ve tried Fuji Acros II, Ilford FP4 and Bergger. Bergger was by far the best with excellent contrast and grain. Prints and scans were fine straight out of the camera. I am extremely impressed with this film and I’m about to shoot a roll in 120 format.

I loved the old Bergger films, especially the now-defunct ISO 200 (bring it back, please!). I started shooting this new version as soon as it was released. I have shot in in 35mm, 120 and 4×5. I have developed it in Pyro 510, Caffenol CM (stand development), Rodinal (stand and regular) and Berspeed. I liked the tonality and contrast, especially in Berspeed and Caffenol CM. I need a flexible film because I shoot a lot of Holga work with it. I love it in my natural light studio in 4×5 and 120. As long as I am very careful with maintaining temperature in all chemicals and baths, the grain is pleasing to my eye. I also prefer a punchy contrast, which I usually achieve with this. If I can’t shoot this, it’s HP5+.