This post sees me test two rolls of the new kosmo foto agent shadow 400 film during summer and winter - join me for a photowalk around Munich!
I was one of the original backers of the Kickstarter campaign for Kosmo Foto Agent Shadow 400, having received 4 rolls a few months ago. I gave one of them to my photography friend (Andrea, who is also part of this post) and kept 3 for myself. According to Kosmo Foto Agent:
Kosmo Foto Agent Shadow is a 400-ISO panchromatic black-and-white film, perfect for all 35mm cameras. It is capable of being push processed up to ISO 6400 with appropriate changes to normal development.
I went for a photo walk in Munich on two separate days in June and recently in December, so actually quite a good way to test very different lighting situations. All shots taken on my Leica MP with either a Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 or Leica Tele Elmar 135mm f4 lens. All photos clickable for full screen viewing.
The line-up for our June photo walk to test out Kosmo Foto.
I really like how this shot came out, even the seemingly over exposed people lying next to the river works. Shot on a hot day in June.
A view down to the Siegestor - shot on my newly acquired Leica Tele Elmar 135mm lens.
I was trying to take a shot of all the customers of an open-air flea market and got photo bombed by the tram. I like how sharp and contrasty this shot is though.
Christmas feeling in Munich. This scene was quite high up at the top of an underpass. Certainly not the best composed image but I was curious to test out my lens wide open (F4 only!) and how the film would render.
I was testing my new Tele-Elmar lens and this is definitely a bit too compressed for my liking in terms of composition.
I find it easier to bunch the portrait shots together otherwise they can take over the whole page of the blog. I really like how these came out, some of my favourites include a shot of Andrea my large format camera buddy, the old school looking German pharmacy, and the shot of the cyclist going over the tram tracks (a very Munich looking scene).
Another shot of the Siegestor - peering out over the top of a car with my Tele Elmar lens.
Andrea hiding near a tree to take some shots of a summer Bavarian band.
The band in question.
Relaxing in the sun.
A slightly crooked shot of the back of Marienplatz with my new Tele Elmar lens.
Reflections in Olympiazentrum U-Bahn station. I really like this shot, even though it is quite busy.
The tram terminus at Munchener Freiheit.
I love the contrast between very sunny and shade spots in this shot.
Sushi anyone?
Trains, and more trains. I have always been a fan of photographing public transportation, usually because there are straight lines and repeating patterns in the composition both the trains/trams themselves or the stations they go through.
Overall observations
I really enjoyed trying out two rolls of this film in very different times of the year. I was impressed by how it handed high dynamic range shots in bright sunlight during the summer shots, also by having sufficient detail in the shadows. A lot of the darker train shots in train stations remind me of Kodak Tri-X, really excellent handing of dark blacks, which I greatly enjoy. Many of the softer looking shots are likely down to me using the Leica Tele Elmar 135mm wide open rather than due to the film. Regardless, I really like the vintage look to some of these shots. I am glad I have another roll left in the fridge, I might try pushing it to ISO 800 or 1600 next time to see how it fairs, but from what I have seen so far I am sure it will do a great job.
There has been plenty of hype about this film coming onto the market and then a few people I read mentioning “but it is just old stock re-packaged”. I say fair play to Kosmo Foto for doing some clever marketing and pushing up demand, it made me go out and take some photos and that is all that matters. Also, the packaging is very cool!
Thanks for stopping by and reading this brief review,
Neil
