Kiki-Panama
Half Frame B/W Photos from a Recent Trip to Panama
(Warning: this post is mostly technical. Feel free to just scroll through the photos.)
About a month ago, someone on BlueSky asked if I wanted to try out KikiPan 320asa 35mm film stock. A roll of film in exchange for some publicity.
I think because of my immediate response and enthusiasm, I was gifted three rolls.
It’s moments like this that I miss the old days of Twitter and IG when I had a substantial and active “following.”
Back then, I actually thought I could help an artist or small company with word of mouth publicity.
I also miss the abundance of like-minded photographers excited to discuss the merits of a stock or an artistic approach. Anyway…
In preparation for my recent trip to Panama, I loaded a roll of KikiPan into my Pentax 17 half frame camera. I rated the stock at 200asa.
My film was processed normal and scanned at The Icon in Los Angeles. I altered the exposure and contrast levels on my computer.
This was not a film test. I didn’t shoot a side by side comparison with another stock. Although The Pentax has some manual settings, it largely dictated my shutter and exposure choices.
Half frame also meant increased, perceived grain.
Or as a dear friend exclaimed, “Texture!”
The only information I had about the stock was: “KIKI PAN 320 is a traditional B&W film. Negative made in Germany converted in UK. Package designed in HK.”
A Reddit community thought the stock was originally Agfa Aviphot 200. A friend of mine guessed that it was a “repackaged East German film.”
Too many variables to be called a film test.
Let’s just call it “Film Fun.”
I’m always grateful to try a new stock. How does it fit my style of shooting? Under what lighting conditions do I get results that please me?
The next time I try KikiPan, I will shoot it with my Leica. I will probably rate it at 160asa.
My favorite photo of the 72 was this man (below) on “La Calle De Los Sombreros.”
If anyone would like to try KikiPan, it can be purchased at Camera Film Photo.
I also got some scans back of half frame color photos. I’ll share those at a later date.
