Kentmere Bromide compared to ILFOBROM GALERIE

Tom Kershaw · Jul 23, 2009

Having printed the same negative on both Bromide and Galerie earlier in the week, the Kentmere paper , although nominally grade 2 gives a stronger, more dynamic look, whereas the grade 3 ILFORD paper develops to a more subtle or nuanced look. The paper developer was Moersch SE6, and the negative Delta 400 / Pyrocat-HD.

Any other views on the two papers and how they compare?

Tom.

K-G · Jul 23, 2009

Kentmere bromide vs Galerie

This feels like a real coincidense. Just about an hour ago I came up from my sacred underground cave ( my darkroom ! ) after an entire days work with exactly the same paper types that you mention. I agree with you that the Kentmere paper at grade 2 is much more contrasty than Galerie 3 . To me the Kentmere feels more like a grade 4 paper. I have seen this difference before when I tried Kentmere Variable Contrast together with Ilford Multigrade. Without contrast filtering the Kentmere gave almost an entire grade more contrast than Ilford. The Galerie paper gives, as you point out, beautiful nuances and also a very slight warmth to the tone when dried.
As for fixed grade papers I will stick to Galerie , both grade 2 and 3.
I wish Multigrade could give the same top quality. It comes close but doesn´t
go all the way. Perhaps the new ADOX MCC can do the trick when it is on the market this automn. By the way, I used Neopan ACROS negatives and developed the paper in dektol.

Best regards
Karl-Gustaf Hellqvist

Rob Skeoch · Jul 24, 2009

I haven't compared the two grades directly but the thing I like about Bromide is the number of grades you can get. I find galerie limited to grade 3 in most sizes. I do like the look of it though.

I go back on forth depending on my mood but keep both in the darkroom. I only use graded papers because my 8x10 enlarger has a cold head and doesn't work that well with filters. I'm now using graded paper for everything even the small negative on the other enlarger... it keeps things a bit simpler and I don't need to keep the MG papers in stock.

-rob

Sal Santamaura · Jul 25, 2009

Rob Skeoch said:
...the thing I like about Bromide is the number of grades you can get...

Not only is the continued availability of Bromide doubtful, it's almost certain that, if new batches are coated, grade 4 will not be included. Good luck.

dancqu · Jul 25, 2009

Sal Santamaura said:
Not only is the continued availability of Bromide doubtful,
it's almost certain that, if new batches are coated, grade
4 will not be included. Good luck.

Emaks and Slavich are available Graded. From reading
posts this thread, Galerie and Emaks should be compared.
I've held off buying Galerie due to it's high price. I was
quite impressed with Emaks, a high sheen mat dried,
very good blacks, and the flattest of four papers
out of the wrapper.

Slavich is even more contrasty than Kentmere's Bromide
while Emaks's character is, from reading the posts, much
like Gallerie. About to order some more Emaks. Any Emaks
user contributions? I hope it is not crowded out by all
those 'new kids on the bloc'. Dan

darkosaric · Jul 25, 2009

dancqu said:
Any Emaks
user contributions? I hope it is not crowded out by all
those 'new kids on the bloc'. Dan

Emaks grade 2, double paper weight is my number one paper. Since I am originally from Croatia, maybe I am not objective - but it is best value for money you can get (at least in Croatia).

Very, very worm tones (FB), and excellent contrast. Emaks grade 2 has bigger contrast than ilfospeed grade 2 and some foma grade 2 paper that I tried (don't remember now exactly wich).

Tom Kershaw · Jul 25, 2009

As one might expect (sheet film being an exception), the ILFORD products are generally competitively priced in the UK compared to other markets.

Tom.

Peter Schrager · Jul 26, 2009

emaks

I thought the emaks #3 was actually on the cold side...especially compared to the varycon paper by the same mfg. company...to me varycon kicks butt
just used gallerie for the first time in years and while it is still a good paper the older forte was way better...just one mans opinion
Best, Peter

dancqu · Jul 26, 2009

Tom Kershaw said:
ILFORD products are generally competitively priced
in the UK compared to other markets. Tom.

Emaks $15, Galerie $39; 25 sheets 8x10. That's from
Freestyle. What are USA Galerie users doing?
Substadizing foreign purchasers? Dan

wogster · Jul 26, 2009

dancqu said:
Emaks $15, Galerie $39; 25 sheets 8x10. That's from
Freestyle. What are USA Galerie users doing?
Substadizing foreign purchasers? Dan

Consider that Ilford is made in the UK, the UK is a unionized first world country, so labour rates are high, the equipment is first rate, and the quality control is second to none. Emaks paper is made in Eastern Europe where the entire region was put in a time capsule in the 1950's and held there by the might of the Armed Forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, until the turn of the century. Labour rates are low, the machinery is elderly and quality control sometimes leaves a lot to be desired.

darkosaric · Jul 26, 2009

Peter Schrager said:
I thought the emaks #3 was actually on the cold side...
Best, Peter

Emaks 2 RC is more neutral, but FB is more yellow. I have some paper scans in gallery, but it is hard to see this warm tone on crapy scan. Here is one example of print scan emaks 2 double paper weight:

Dead Link Removed

regards,

mcfactor · Jul 26, 2009

I found the kentmere bromide to be much colder than ilford gallerie and not quite as rich. Emaks is warmer than gallerie and, to my eyes, not quite as sharp. I use ilford gallerie for most enlarging and emaks for contact printing my 4x5s. Although i just ordered 20x24 emaks because i could not afford the gallerie in that size. I'll report back once i start printing on the paper. there is a beautiful micro contrast and look that gallerie has that no other paper can match (that I have found), although the emaks comes close.

dancqu · Jul 26, 2009

Paul, Tom mentioned Ilford's competitive pricing
in the UK. State side Galerie is $39 vs $15 for
Emaks. That is not competitive. Just what
is a 25 sheet pack of 8x10 Galerie going
for in the UK? $18 in US currency?
That's a competitive price. Dan

Tom Kershaw · Jul 26, 2009

Prices from Silverprint:

Adox Fine Print Nuance (Emaks graded) 9.5 x 12" 50sh £31.00 ex VAT.

Ilfobrom Galerie 9.5 x 12" 50sh £37.50 ex VAT.

Tom.

dancqu · Jul 27, 2009

Competitive?

Tom Kershaw said:
Prices from Silverprint:
Adox Fine Print Nuance (Emaks graded) 9.5 x 12" 50sh
£31.00 ex VAT. Ilfobrom Galerie 9.5 x 12" 50sh
£37.50 ex VAT. Tom.

Competitive I'd say in the UK; about 20% above but
State Side over 250% higher. Both products ship
from Europe. So, why so high this side?

BTW, Galerie, $35 from Central Camera.
Central has good selections of Graded
Bergger, Ilford, and Oriental. Dan

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 28, 2009

That's a discrepancy I don't understand either.

If they are so similarly priced in the UK, why are the prices so far apart in the US?

I have a feeling that Freestyle has more bargaining power with Fotokemika than with Ilford.

I've never tried Ilford Galerie, but Emaks is gorgeous stuff. Try it in Amidol some time. Wow. The Kentmere Bromide is also very nice. I had great results with it in Ansco 130 and Ilford MG developers. Incredibly crisp paper.

Although I should bow out as I am a one paper kind of guy (except for scraps that I'm using up), and it's VC all the way for me.

- Thomas

Kentmere Bromide compared to ILFOBROM GALERIE

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