Kentmere film "?" Maybe Mr. Galley will know.

What are the sensitivity? Maybe we could have some more characterisic informations? like spectral sensitivity, granularity, etc

Thanks

This is very smart timing for Ilford/Kentmere, now that Kodak is offering private label Plus-X and Tri-X through Freestyle--not to mention the competition from Foma and other less expensive films. A budget offering from Ilford/Kentmere makes good marketing sense. I don't think it will take any sales away from the higher-priced Ilford films.

Chazzy said:

This is very smart timing for Ilford/Kentmere, now that Kodak is offering private label Plus-X and Tri-X through Freestyle--not to mention the competition from Foma and other less expensive films. A budget offering from Ilford/Kentmere makes good marketing sense. I don't think it will take any sales away from the higher-priced Ilford films.

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The words 'education market' are ringing loud in my head at the moment.


Simon - I'm in no position to offer advice, so please don't take this in the wrong way, but I suspect a lot of people will be sated if you let us know when the datasheets will be made available .

Simon,

Thank You very much for the clarification on these films. We have had them in our shop for about 2 weeks now and they are starting to come back for development. I was looking for accurate development times other than what is listed in the box. Trust me when I say we (all at the lab) would rather be using an Ilford developing system, but we need a replenishing film developer and are a bit forced to use Tmax RS. Any chance you guys are working on something like this? We would be ear-to-ear grins if you were, until then, if you have the times for RS and Sprint (colleges) it would be helpful. I do hope this is not completely <b>rude</b> to ask.

Thank You,
Jody

Simon R Galley said:

...These products are just launched now in the USA and CANADA and are available via our exclusive distributor in the USA for all KENTMERE products, WYNIT Inc...

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Simon, on another Kentmere matter, I contacted WYNIT to ask the following question


but have received no reply. Can you supply an answer here?

Thank you in advance.
Sal

Dear all,

A few questions :

1) The TI sheets are prepared but we are upgrading the Kentmere.com website so that will be a few days, ad interim, if you want a copy of the T.I. please e.mail graham.walters@harmantechnology.com and he will send you it. Please title your e.mail to Graham 'Kentmere Film T.I. sheet request'.

2) Full competitive processing information is not available as yet: Use developer times as per the instruction leaflet or on the TI sheet.

3) Dear Sal: I am not surprised WYNIT did not know : Coding is specific and can identify a Mobberley made product from a Stavely produced product, the issue is that it is encoded for commercial purposes, so unless I had the specific batch number I could not tell, if you have an issue get the batch number and I will help if I can.

4) Dear Jody: I do not know if you are processing manually or through a machine ? In the ILFORD processing service ( roller transport processed ) we use ILFOTEC RC Rapid : full TI sheets are available on the www.ILFORDPhoto.com website.

5) The film is launched in North America only at this time, I will advise of launches in other markets at teh appropriate time.

6) Yes : The KENTMERE films are available in 30m Bulk lengths.

Sal Santamaura said:

Simon, on another Kentmere matter, I contacted WYNIT to ask the following question

Please let me know how one can determine whether a package of Kentmere Bromide or Fineprint VC was made in Ilford's facility rather than the now closed Kentmere plant. I'd appreciate knowing whether there is some marking on the envelope which indicates this or if an emulsion number might also provide the information.​

but have received no reply. Can you supply an answer here?

Thank you in advance.
Sal

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I just bought some Kentmere VC Select - there is a new label on the box ( the label which seals the box) which says "Made in UK by Harman Technology"

I guess this means this is new production!

Matt

Great to see the venerable Kentmere name being continued for new products.

I have a very vague recollection that I may actually have seen an old Kentmere roll film in a museum or similar collectors environment...I'm thinking from the sort-of-1920's time? Or perhaps I imagined it????

Simon R Galley said:

Dear all,

4) Dear Jody: I do not know if you are processing manually or through a machine ? In the ILFORD processing service ( roller transport processed ) we use ILFOTEC RC Rapid : full TI sheets are available on the www.ILFORDPhoto.com website.

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Simon, sorry for not clarifying, Large tank (8-35mm reel/Plastic) manually. Right now we are able to process and just top off the tank. We process from 12 to 30 rolls a week and generally do it in one sitting.

Thank You,
Jody

Dear Matt,

Honest, I am not trying to be a smart a**e but that means the label is new:

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited

Simon, sorry to jump on this bandwagon all of a sudden, barraging you with questions about Ilford products, but, since Pan 100 & 400 have appeared at silverprint, could you clear up exactly what they are, and whether they are under UK release officially - and also, whether Kentmere 100 & 400 will be joining them soon?

What, no 120 or 4x5.
I was hoping for it.

Dear Simon,

How disappointing. Why not 120/220 and sheet film.

Digital is killing 35mm, but MF and LF still have clear IQ advantage over digital.

One would think that the marketing folks would take that into consideration?

Sandy King

Simon R Galley said:

Dear Paul,

I never get mad with any APUGGER ! : We have no plans to launch 120 or Sheet film variants at this stage:

Dear Tom,

The characteristics of this film are obviously unique, but they are conventional emulsions as opposed to CCG ( Contrllled Crystal Growth / DELTA type ) emulsions.

Regards

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

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If its a budget film, I can understand why it isn't being made 120 and 4x5.

I think Simon said "competitive" not budget priced. I'm with Sandy on this, lets see some larger formats. I like to use the same film in all formats so if I can get something I like in 35mm, 120 and 4x5 then they have all my business.

Maybe ilford is reasonable: first they launch it in nort america end in 135 to see if it is viable. If yes... then europe and 120?

With Fuji they have Acros using the latest technology, then films like Neopan 400 using Fuji’s advanced normal grain B&W technology, then there is SS 100, which is their budget film older technology product.

These products are priced accordingly, not necessarily reflecting their actual manufacturing costs; I don’t have a clue about that.

Then you have Kodak B&W film, using a similar pricing and film architecture to Fuji.

As far as I can tell, Ilford doesn’t quite have the B&W film structure of these two companies on a worldwide basis. They do have some lower priced film in some markets; I have seen it in my darkroom from people who have travelled to countries where the cost requires the lowest priced product, or no product.

Quite a few companies purchase either a competitor, or a completely different type of business. After undergoing this sometimes protracted and painful process, not to mention sometimes expensive, they then seek to absorb their purchases into the mother company. I have personally been involved in this process from both sides of the equation, first from the side of being the acquirer, secondly being acquired.

In both of my cases, the final outcome was to absorb the acquired company into the acquiring one. This really didn’t work out too well as the acquired company, which was in both cases a very successful trading company, became lost to the market. As a result, the overall financial picture within three years was almost the same as it would have been by normal, to somewhat aggressive growth, without the possible financial losses of purchasing another company outright.

Ilford appears to me to be actually ensuring that the company they acquired some time ago, retains its different identity, retains it’s unique products and adds some more unique products to the range.

To me, some Kentmere products appear to sell to a different financial demographic, meaning they should be able to expand their overall market share with products that do not necessarily compete with the Ilford branded film/paper product line. This may or may not be the case, but it is how I am so far reading the situation.

With this release of Kentmere film, Harmon technology limited, as an overall marketing strategy will now have the other two main worldwide competitors covered.

They will have Delta film with the latest technology, FP4+ & FP5+ as their advanced normal technology film, and then with its separate identity, there may be Kentmere as the price competitive film using normal technology.

This is total speculation on my part.

Mick.

Mick's analysis/specula4x5tion sounds the most reasonable to me, but whatever the Ilford's strategy I hope they're successful.
Like others I'd like to see them eventually come out with some larger format film, but they're just getting their toes wet and I don't think it's reasonable to expect them to jump in with both feet at this point. Maybe they never will. In the meantime, I'm grateful they've taken this step.
I probably won't be buying the 35mm, as I like and am accustomed to HP5+ and Delta 400. If they had a student grade 4x5 I'd sure be interested in that however. HP5+ is too expensive for a neophyte like me to practice on. But I'm prepared to wait for their business model to show they can make a pound at it.

Dear Sandy,

Huge respect for all you do :

35mm monochrome film since the 1960's has always been the biggest part of the film business all other formats are small ( but very important ) volume by comparison...its remains exactly the same today.

As always, I keenly read what you ( all ) say and it is always fed back straight back to our marketing people, you have a big say in what we think and what we do.

Simon. ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Dear Mick,

Good piece, very insightful, KENTMERE has a great history and a great future, its why we bought it, on the worldwide 'structure' ILFORD Photo make more monochrome ( film & Paper ) products now than at anytime in its recent history, with defined market structures ( we hope ) and many more than FUJI and KODAK combined...thats not to say that both those companies don't have a much wider worldwide recognition, they do, they also make fine products as do other companies like EFKE and FOMA and others...our biggest aim, because of our unique position, is to defend and encourage the use of analog photography and the darkroom, no matter whose companies products people use...

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

If the Kentmere films become available in 220 and sheet film, I'll take them very seriously. Otherwise I'll continue finishing off my remaining store of 220 HP5+ and making the transition to Tri-X 320.

Chazzy said:

If the Kentmere films become available in 220 and sheet film, I'll take them very seriously. Otherwise I'll continue finishing off my remaining store of 220 HP5+ and making the transition to Tri-X 320.

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I think you are wrong! Simon already told us that the 220 cutting machinery was out of order and the market is not strong enough to build another one. So, as Kentmere films and papers are coated in the Mobberley plant, don't expect film in 220 in this plant. Am I wrong, Simon?



Just one thing: do not negligeate our european market

Dear Aurelien,

You are quite correct, we have explained in great detail why 220 will not be made again here on the Mobberley site.

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Two new emulsions? Not a bad way to start 2009. Thank you Ilford, your efforts are much appreciated. Even if we always seem to want half a dozen formats more, as a 35mm shooter, I'm happy as Larry. I'll pick up a few rolls when I can find them.

I've been buying Ilford films, chemistry and paper since 1975 and will continue to do so forever. Thank you, Ilford, for those years and many more to come.