Forte Fortezo -> Kentmere Bromide??

[fhovie]

As I ordered 2 more boxes of Forte Fortezo grade 2 from B&H and realizing that the world supply of this, my old standard, is running dry, I wonder what will I be replacing it with. Of all the options available, Kentmere Bromide looks like a close match in characteristics - (including an agressive price).

Has anyone who used to use Forte and is familiar with its look, scale and color switched to Kentmere Bromide and can attest to its similarities or differences? It would be nice to hear some positive feedback before moving in that direction.

 

[timeUnit]

They are totally different papers. Bromide is neutral, Fortezo is very warm.

 

[dancqu]

They are totally different papers.
Bromide is neutral, Fortezo is very warm.

Is'nt Kentona a warm tone? Dan

 

[fhovie]

It looks like Fortezo was the only graded fb warm tone, huh? I think you are right - Kentona - but now it will be VC ... hummmm - kind a like that graded stuff.

 

[psvensson]

Kentona is graded, AFAIK.

 

[fhovie]

Wierd - B&H has it in the VC catagory - just read the speks and it says grade 2-3 - maybe I'll have to try that.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

It's graded for sure. Says grade 2, but I can only rate it as a grade 3.
It's beautiful and VERY punchy. Reacts great to lith as well. The developers I've used are Ansco 130, Edwal Ultra Black, Ilford Bromophen, and Dektol. They are all very nice, although only available in one single grade. Tweak your negs.
- Thomas

 

[Alex Hawley]

It's graded for sure. Says grade 2, but I can only rate it as a grade 3.

Ditto that for Kentona being Grade 3. Wonderful paper though.

Have you tried Slavich graded paper? Freestyle carries it. I've gone through about 50 sheets and so far like it very well. It comes out just slightly warm when toned in selenium. Its not as inherently warm as Kentona. Available in Grades 2,3 and 4 in most common sizes.

 

[Mark Layne]

Kentona is actually US grade 2.5
Mark

 

[Scott Peters]

Yes, kentona is warmer than the bromide. What about ilford papers?

 

[dancqu]

Then there is Bergger CB Art in grades 2, 3, and 4.
Central Camera and B&H carry. A heavy 300 gram
paper. A little more $$. Dan

 

[janjohansson]

Fotokemika´s Emaks is a real nice graded paper with a tone slightly
to the warm side. In my opinion it tones wonderfully in selenium.
Available in both FB and RC.

-Jan Johansson

 

[fhovie]

I never realized how warm the Fortenza (that I am used to) is until I printed it next to some VC FB Bromide paper that is very neutral -(cold) and compared. There is an obvious brown component in the color of the Fortenza that is desirable for portrait work. I'll likely try the Kentona.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I'll second the Emaks opinion. It's very nice paper. Heavy, and a slightly warm color cast. It truly has a phenomenal tonal range.
- Thomas

 

[Shawn Dougherty]

Kentmere Bromide is a great paper. The grades are more like 2.5, 3.5 and 4 than the named 2,3 and 4. With that is mind it works very well with Amidol producing a cool SLIGHTLY purple tone which then turns into a nice SLIGHTLY purple/pink after a 3 minute selenium toning at 1:100. Great blacks, double weight, 3 grades, tones well and the price is right. I'd give it a try. 25sheet packs of 8x10 are cheap enough. Most of the scans on my web site were printed on it. Best. Shawn