Kentmere 400 + Ilfosol3 1+9

Hi everyone.

I'm getting some mixed numbers between my box of Kentmere 400's recommendations for Ilfosol 3 and that of the Massive Dev Chart.

I've previously used Massive's times for all my AP400/TriX/HP5+ developing in Ilfosol 3 and HC-110, but I'm a little worried that the box recommends 6 1/2 minutes while the Dev Chart recommends 4 1/2 minutes for EI400. That's two minutes difference which isn't really inconsequential.

Just wondering what you guys recommend in a situation like this? Also curious to hear any firsthand recommendations from anyone who works with Kentmere 400 and Ilfosol 3 specifically if possible.

And I'm not married to Ilfosol 3, but using it specifically because I'm out of HC-110 at the moment.

Ilford make both the film and the developer, so double check the two numbers are for the same temperature and dilution, then choose the one from Ilford.

A very good point, thank you! I'll see if I can find some info from Ilford on Kentmere film and their recommended temperature.

Hi Marty,

4 1/2 minutes is too short anyways, and I would use a higher dilution if that is in fact correct. The 6 1/2 minutes sounds much more plausible though.

Of the two developers you mention, I have only used HC-110, which is the only developer that I have used with K400 that doesn't produce much fogging. D76, and Rodinal especially, produce noticeable fog with this film. I find exactly the same with Rollei RPX400, 120 format. There's been much debate whether it is the same emulsion - not sure where we stand on that, but the fog issue is there, and the only practical way to deal with it for me is by using HC-110. I use dilution H and discard after use. Not the most economical, but the most consistent. I suspect the Ilford developer is much the same, but test it to be sure.