first time using kentmere b&w paper

Hello all:I'll be using kentmere fineprint fibre base b&w paper glossy to do some contact prints for a friend.What developer should I use and whose VC filters give best results with this paper.

Thanks,

Doug

I've used it with Dektol, standard dilution, and tested it with both Ilford and Kodak VC filters. Not much difference between the two brands of filters, and you can't really say which is better. If you have a color head on your enlarger, try experimenting with that as well. Nice paper though.

The paper also develops well in Ilford multigrade with Ilford filters. I do 7x17 contact sheets, two on a 16x20 Fineprint glossy with room for test strips. Read tech specs on Kentmere website.

John Powers

I use Kentmere Fineprint VC fiber with Zone VI developer from Calumet. It is a powder developer that dilutes to a stock solution. The stock lasts a long time, a good 3 months. The stock dilutes 1:3 so it is very economical. Good blacks.

first time using kentmere b%w paper

Thank you all for your input.I'll go onto their website and get the tech. info for this material.

Doug

Doug,
first time I used this paper I was disappointed at its different spectral response. I got blacks that were too dark, and sometimes blocked up highlights, at same contrast grades as other papers that had tone in the now blocked up areas.
It took a little time for me to get used to, but once I did, the paper is really really nice. It's very crisp, and gives me great zing in the highs and deep rich blacks.
I'm sure you'll enjoy it. It responds well to contrast filters (Ilford) from grade 0 to 4.
- Thomas

I felt the same way Thomas did, but it got better after dialing it in...however I don't think I'll be using it often.

Has anyone using Kentmere papers:

• Been able to establish that they've received any coated since Ilford moved production to Mobberley?
• If so, determined how well its characteristics match those of previous samples coated before the Ilford buyout?

I'm curious about this for both Fineprint VC and Bromide. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Doug -

I've used both the standard and warmtone versions of Fineprint VC. Most recently, I've been using Sprint developer, but I also used Ilford Multigrade.

In general, I find that both the standard and warmtone versions of Fineprint are both colder and contrastier than Multigrade IV. It responds well to filtration, and it is distinctly more responsive to selenium toning that Multigrade.

The choice between brands of filters should mainly be based on what can you get. The one rule to follow is to never mix brands. The actual contrast that you get with a filter of a specific number may not match between brands, but that's not important. What is important is that you get a variation in contrast as you change filters within a brand.

As Thomas pointed out, the first reaction to Kentmere is that it is very contrasty and very cold. But once you calibrate yourself to its contrast range (you will find that the 00 through 1 filters will get a lot more use), it can result in some very 'zingy' prints.

Kentmere's Fineprint papers are quite versatile as far as developers go. I've used them in Dektol, Ethol, and Arista Premium with no problems with any of them. Monophoto is correct in pointing out that Kentmere is somewhat colder and contrastier than Ilford MGIV, but as Thomas said, the blacks get really deep as a result. I actually prefer to use Kentona over the Fineprint, as it has a rich, slightly warm look, and it's great for both standard and lith printing.

Sal Santamaura said:

Has anyone using Kentmere papers:

• Been able to establish that they've received any coated since Ilford moved production to Mobberley?
• If so, determined how well its characteristics match those of previous samples coated before the Ilford buyout?

I'm curious about this for both Fineprint VC and Bromide. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Click to expand...

Given Ilford's statement that they had manufactured large stocks of Kentmere paper before shutting down the production line I doubt that they have yet had to make any on the Mobberley line. In any case, unless they change the packaging I'm not sure how we would know.

Sal Santamaura said:

Has anyone using Kentmere papers:

• Been able to establish that they've received any coated since Ilford moved production to Mobberley?
• If so, determined how well its characteristics match those of previous samples coated before the Ilford buyout?

I'm curious about this for both Fineprint VC and Bromide. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Click to expand...

Dave Miller said:

Given Ilford's statement that they had manufactured large stocks of Kentmere paper before shutting down the production line I doubt that they have yet had to make any on the Mobberley line. In any case, unless they change the packaging I'm not sure how we would know.

Click to expand...

Simon, can/will you tell us?