Lomography Potsdam Kino 100 review, but would I buy this low-budget 120 film again? Mamiya M645

I'll admit the cool name Potsdam Kino got my attention, but so did the incredibly low price of just $6.90 per roll of this 120 medium format film. So before even loading the film, this brand had already scored two positive points. It could only get better from here ... right? Well, you'll have to watch the video to find out.
This roll of black and white film developed using Cinestill DF96 Monobath:
amzn.to/3TgyikM
I'll forewarn you this is not a typical love-fest video touting a film brand. This is an honest, brutal look at not only the final images produced by this 100 speed film, but also the developing process and quality of the physical film itself.
I shot this roll of Potsdam Kino 100 with a Mamiya M645 and Mamiya C 55-110mm lens. I typically get very sharp images from this camera/lens combo, and was hoping this low-budget film would stand up to my previously shot brands, including Kentmere 100 and 400, and Ilford HP5 Plus.
Check out the video and let me know what you think in the comment section below.
All images scanned on my Epson v600 scanner, producing tif files straight from the scanner into Lightroom.
All images scanned on my Epson v600 scanner, producing tif files straight from the scanner, no Negative Lab Pro used for these images.
Kentmere 400 Black and White 120 film: amzn.to/3vYS1vG
Kentmere 400 Black and White 35mm film: amzn.to/4brAGvZ
Kentmere 100 Black and White 120 film: amzn.to/4beTXAr
Kentmere 100 Black and White 35mm film: amzn.to/48GzD9v
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Website - www.DozierGraphic.com
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My 100 Top Street Photos from 2021
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Puche': A Collection of Photography by Jason Dozier (My First Book)
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#filmphotography #mamiya645 #potsdamkino

[@sdhute]

I really like those shots

[@DozierGraphic]

Thanks! I don’t get a chance to get out of my area too often so trying to make use of what I can. Appreciate the support!

[@TheSchnauzie]

Hi Jason, the Mamiya is a great and affordable medium format camera. I personally owned the Mamiya 645 in the 1990s. I think the Potsdam film is of inferior quality, but the price reflects that. my favorite b&w film is the Ilford HP5. By developing this film myself, I know the ins and outs. Nice to see a video from you. New car? Greetings Marcel from The Netherlands.

[@DozierGraphic]

Thanks Marcel! I feel the same way about Kentmere - I've shot and developed so much of it I know where the sweet spot is for my developer and water temps/etc. I'm going to run through some other brands though just to get a comparison going. Thanks again for the support!

[@duanemcclun]

Hi Jason...Even though I quit using film I still enjoyed your video. In your case I think I would stay with Ilford film. I found a Nikon N50 with a Nikon 35-80 lens for a whopping $2.00 at a thrift store. I have to get a battery for it to see if the camera works. Keep your videos coming my friend!!
Best
Duane

[@DozierGraphic]

Thanks Duane! Your support is always appreciated! Those Nikon N series cameras do a great job. I have an N70 that I'll be featuring in a couple weeks. I've also used the N60 - all very good and easy to just leave on AUTO and get nice results! Go get that battery and have some fun! lol

[@nostalgiccameralife]

I had a suspicion that Potsdam 100 is actually ORWO UN54, and looking around online this has been confirmed by people more knowledgeable than myself. I bought a couple of rolls of the ORWO brand in 35mm, but will not be buying more. The current producer/packager puts them in these awful non-standard plastic cassettes, which just aren't worth the hassle of dealing with at any price. I did not have any issue with curling, but it may be that Lomography is packaging from an old master roll, in which case their version will probably never flatten out.
Also wanted to add that this emulsion has a look very similar to the old Efke films. It appears to have the same extra sensitivity to red light, but is a bit more contrasty. Probably if pulled a little it would make a modern stand in for those old Efke films.

[@DozierGraphic]

All that's a little too complicated for my small brain lol but it's always interesting to see explanations like that. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@TheRealPenguinator]

Love the photos you took with the cheap film, unfortunately I live in Canada which means it costs wayyyyy more here.
I do have a question which is completely off-topic to this video, apologies. The question I have is about the Pentax K1000, my mirror on my K1000 is stuck up. I’ve read this issue before on forums and it seems to be a common issue on the K1000. The solution I’m looking at now is to remove the bottom plate and lube up the gears so the return lever actually returns. Which is the route that I’d like to fix it with.
Unless you have a different solution to this problem I’d like to hear it and see what works for me.
Keep doing what you are doing, thank you!

[@DozierGraphic]

Oh wow! I have no idea how to fix that. I love using different old film cameras, but when it comes to fixing them I'm at a total loss. I hope you're able to get it back to working condition! Best of luck, and thanks for the compliment!

[@TheRealPenguinator]

@@DozierGraphic
I did get it back to working order again, thank god I did myself to save some money! I did take a full roll of Ilford HP5+ 400 pushed to 1600 to take exposures with at a botanical garden. Got them developed and they look great! So at least I know I did something right.