Kentmere Fineprint VC: both thumbs up!

Thomas Bertilsson

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I'll share my experience as well.

When I first tried Kentmere Fineprint VC I wasn't at all impressed with it. I bought a 50 sheet box of 11x14, made perhaps 25 prints, and never looked back. I thought it reacted really weird with my contrast filters.

The rest I cut into 5x7 sheet, thought perhaps I could print something that needed a boost in contrast some time. The paper sat around for a year or so before I decided - why not have another go. Other people seem to like it. So now in my new darkroom I gave it a second attempt. I produced some nice little 3x5 images on that 5x7 paper. I can't put my finger on it, but I really liked what I saw. I can probably attribute some of the difference to a better enlarger setup, new VC filters, different chemistry (Ansco 130), and I'm probably a better printer today.

I was so impressed I ordered another box, some Kentona, some Bromide in all grades, and a box of Warmtone. I've broken into the Kentona as well as the Bromide, and as different as they are I love what they do. Now I can't wait to try the Warmtone paper as well!

- Thomas
 

patrickjames

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Thomas-

I too was using Ansco 130 when I discovered Kentmere. I think it is a good combination since A130 seems to produce more separation and not quite so much contrast. I have tried the warmtone too at this point, and while I am not quite used to it compared to my tried and true Agfa MCC 118, I am starting to like it. There are nuances that make it different of course, but overall I think it will be a good replacement once I am accustomed to it. Their papers seem to have a more abrupt toe than others, but this could just be my impression. All in all I am starting to lean towards these two papers for most of my printing, and am enjoying using them.

Patrick
 

jeroldharter

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I used to use Kodak Polymax as my primary paper and stocked up when they stopped manufacturing it. Then I had to find a replacement so I tested the likely suspects. Kentmere was an easy winner and I am quite satisfied with it.

Others have suggested that a great move for Kentmere would be to acqurie Forte Polywarmtone and that would be a great product line. I agree but I assume that the likelihood is low.
 

JLP

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Just got out of the dark with a print printed on the VC. (In Neutol WA) It is a very fine neutral tone paper indeed. Just don't like the way it respond to selenium toner.
Anyone having experience getting a little warmer image tone out of the VC?

jan
 

jstraw

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I overdid the selenium toner on some Fineprint today. The prints went a little "aubergine" on me.
 

JLP

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Same thing hapened to me but there was no warming before, just went "Cold"
Will try some Kodak brown toner and see how that looks.

jan
 

JLP

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A little of subject, how does the Kentmere Bromide image tone compare to Kentona?
Kentona is one of my favorite papers but as far as i know only comes in grade 2

jan
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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Kentona is a little contrastier than a standard grade 2 I would say. Bromide is just about a perfect neutral, with a very pleasant glossy surface. Kentona is VERY warm, and its surface is not as glossy. I like the surface and the tone of the Kentona better than the Bromide, but I'm having a hard time using it since most of my negs that I like to print are 'all over the place' (a remnant from too much experimentation with developers and films).

I haven't toned any of the Kentmere graded papers yet, but their VC papers really do respond very well to toners. I'll be interested to hear how your experiments with the Brown toner turns out.

- Thomas
 

Silverhead

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I wouldn't say that Kentona is THAT warm...it's certainly not as warm as Kentmere's FB WT Semi-Matte, Foma's Chamois WT, or even Forte Polywarmtone. I'd put it near where Agfa Classic used to be. If you want to see how well Kentmere's papers tone, I'd pick up Tim Rudman's book on toning.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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The creamy tones in combination with the warm base makes it appear that warm to me. Perhaps a chemistry thing, I don't know.

- Thomas

 

iimagine

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I love Kentmere! I use the fineprint fiber VC - glossy. It is a beautiful cool tone paper. Rich blacks. Printing from 400 tri-X and 100 Ilford negs. I'm real rigid about my developing time...2 1/2 minutes that's it.
 

jstraw

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iimagine said:
I love Kentmere! I use the fineprint fiber VC - glossy. It is a beautiful cool tone paper. Rich blacks. Printing from 400 tri-X and 100 Ilford negs. I'm real rigid about my developing time...2 1/2 minutes that's it.
Click to expand...

2 1/2 minutes? In what developer?

Oh wait, you meant the paper, not the negs...whew.
 
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