Does anyone print Kentmere 400?

IloveTLRs · Nov 6, 2011

For some reason, I feel that this film isn't very popular. It seems to have a reputation for coarse grain, which I have found with scanning. I have developed it in Rodinal, D-76 and HC-110, all with similar results.

However recently I have been making wet prints, and the tones are lovely with very little grain! Indeed a number of my friends remarked how smooth prints came out.

So I'm wondering if anyone else is printing this film?

mablo · Nov 6, 2011

I haven't printed Kentmere 400 (also known as Rollei RPX 400) yet but I'm definitely going to and read your message with great interest. What comes to development my experiences are that undiluted Xtol or D-76 work well with this film.

Dennis S · Nov 6, 2011

I am currently in the process of testing Kentmere film for my self. I was very happy with the 100 film for processing and printing. I just love the evenness of the prints. It is definitely going to be a favorite until the price sky rockets or the quit making it which seems to be the case for a lot of my "favorites". So I ordered more + the 400. I will be using ID-11 1-1 or Rodinal developers

Dennis S · Nov 7, 2011

I shot and developed 2 rls of the Kentmere 400 (EI800) on Sunday. Developed Ilford ID-11 1-1. I have included a scan of a negative that shows the grain. With it being a 30% crop I fail to see why grain would be a problem with this film. "Its called grain and it is suppose to be there". Definitely a film I will always carry in my kit.
Next test will be with Rodinal developer.

Katie · Nov 7, 2011

That grain is gorgeous!!! I want some grain in my prints - god forbid someone might mistake them for cheap digital prints!!!!

Jerevan · Nov 7, 2011

Yep, the 400 film is great, at a good price too. Works fine for printing and grain... with XTOL 1+1, it has a smidge more grain than HP5+. Looks good on paper, too. I really like the 100 film even more, but the lazy part of me does not want to schlepp around my heavy tripod for a tiny Nikon F2 and a 50. I need more discipline, I suppose. Or a lighter tripod.

IloveTLRs · Dec 23, 2011

(there was a url link here which no longer exists) of Kentmere 400. It was printed on "kabine" size Fujiblo paper - 12x 16.5cm (4 3/4 x 6 1/2)

I've been having luck with HC-110 recently. I develop at 10c (probably not recommended) but the results are nice. Rodinal is okay, but more pronounced grain.

pentaxuser · Dec 24, 2011

mablo said:
I haven't printed Kentmere 400 (also known as Rollei RPX 400) yet but I'm definitely going to and read your message with great interest. .

What source of information do you have that suggests that an Ilford film is the same film as Rollei RPX400?It was my understanding that Ilford will not make the same film for someone else and simply allow them to re-badge it

Thanks

pentaxuser

DarkMagic · Dec 24, 2011

pentaxuser said:
What source of information do you have that suggests that an Ilford film is the same film as Rollei RPX400?It was my understanding that Ilford will not make the same film for someone else and simply allow them to re-badge it

Thanks

pentaxuser

The now discontinued Rollei RPX400 is coated by ilford with German made emulsion by Agfa. Dont know it Ilford is coating Kentmere or the old Kentmere plant is taken over by ilford.

I like the 400 better than the 100. Based on shooting several hundreds of rolls.

jordanstarr · Dec 24, 2011

pentaxuser said:
What source of information do you have that suggests that an Ilford film is the same film as Rollei RPX400?It was my understanding that Ilford will not make the same film for someone else and simply allow them to re-badge it

Thanks

pentaxuser

I was buying bricks of tri-x at B&H about 6 months ago and the guy there was trying to push Kentemere on me as "the same as HP5", but for half the price. He was an older guy and my experience with him is that he knows his $#!t. Take it with a grain of salt I suppose.

Dennis S · Dec 24, 2011

What I have been doing with my Kentmere is exposing it EI1600 and developing it in Xtol 1-1 with pleasing results. Grain adds character.

John R. · Dec 24, 2011

Katie said:
That grain is gorgeous!!! I want some grain in my prints - god forbid someone might mistake them for cheap digital prints!!!!

Yeah, I agree. The grain is quite pleasant to view. I've never shot the stuff but after seeing that grain I am going to pick up some sheets.

IloveTLRs · Dec 28, 2011

jordanstarr said:
I was buying bricks of tri-x at B&H about 6 months ago and the guy there was trying to push Kentemere on me as "the same as HP5", but for half the price. He was an older guy and my experience with him is that he knows his $#!t. Take it with a grain of salt I suppose.

I have been shooting quite a lot of Kentmere 400, and a few rolls of HP5+. I find them similar, but not quite the same. HP5+ has whiter whites to me, whereas Kentmere has a more overall gray quality to it (if that makes sense.)

Price-wise, here in Japan the two films are similar (for bulk, which I buy) and I may switch to HP5+ soon. I've read that it doesn't get along well with Rodinal, but I shall do my own testing

I've been developing Kentmere 400 in HC-110 recently (below 10c because tap water is very cold and I'm too lazy to use a bath) and grain has been comparable to Tri-X and other 400 speed films

Klainmeister · Dec 28, 2011

Shoot, thanks for bringing this film to my attention. I've been looking for a film that has some grain to it--I used to get Neopan 400 and develop in PMK with similar results. Any luck pushing it?

Does anyone print Kentmere 400?

IloveTLRs

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Dennis S

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Does anyone print Kentmere 400?

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