Kentmere Papers

Dave Miller · Oct 10, 2004

Given the amount of doom, gloom, and teeth gnashing that has prevailed recently over the decline in the photoproduct manufacturing base, I thought I should remind folk that Kentmere is still churning out quality papers here in England, and distributing worldwide.
Checkout their site at: Kentmere uk
Here I should warn you that whilst they make very good photographic products they are still in the Stone Age where web sites are concerned!

Those of you in the New World may like to go to:
Lumios
who brand, and market Kentmere as their own in those former colonies; and have a rather better web site.

TPPhotog · Oct 10, 2004

Good point Dave, I've used their papers in 5"x7" and found them to be very good. Might be just be but I've found I need to be more careful about getting my fingers on the sensitive side though than I do with Ilford.

ann · Oct 10, 2004

we have tested a few of the Lumios papers and they are very nice.

Rumor has it that their neutral paper is one of the last pure bromide papers.

Altho, i tend to use Oriental Seagull grade paper i usually keep a pack of lumios handy.

Then of course there is the Charcoal X which can be great fun. I had wanted to try the trapersy version but that went out of production before i could do so.

TPPhotog · Oct 10, 2004

Dave, many thanks for that link as I've just discovered one of their agents is only 20 minutes drive from here & I go past it most days. Looks like I could be trying a lot more of their papers

mikewhi · Oct 11, 2004

Are their FB papers only VC or do they offer graded Fiber glossy appers?

Thanks.

-Mike

Jeanne · Oct 11, 2004

mikewhi said:
Are their FB papers only VC or do they offer graded Fiber glossy appers?

Thanks.

-Mike

Hi Mike, the Luminous fibre papers used to come in the usual grades, but now comes in one grade, which they call grade 2 1/2, I think. It's a beautiful paper.

mikewhi · Oct 11, 2004

I would be interested in trying their Bromide fiber paper, but I can't find it anywhere. Freestyle has a lot of Luminos papers, but I don't see this one. Does anyone know where it is sold?

Thanks.

-Mike

Aggie · Oct 11, 2004

Looking glass in Berkeley CA. carries it, and they are going to do a mail order for pauggers. Contact tomtom one of our members and she will help you with the paper.

ann · Oct 11, 2004

i checked in freestyle's catalog and didn't find it listed; B&H has it and it is called Flexicon FB VC. You could call freestyle and ask as they say they have quite a few papers in stock that are not listed.

There is also some fellow named Mike in Canada who might be able to help as rumor has it he has the Kentmere Bromide paper in stock. the number is 905.760/8751; however, i have had this number for about a year so i don't know if it is still working.

brimc76 · Oct 11, 2004

ann said:
There is also some fellow named Mike in Canada who might be able to help as rumor has it he has the Kentmere Bromide paper in stock. the number is 905.760/8751; however, i have had this number for about a year so i don't know if it is still working.

As far as I know that contact number has been disconnected Ann. It was for
Mike Rosen
Darkroom Innovations
116/D Viceroy Road,
Vaughan, Ontario

I am trying to contact him myself as I am in need of paper, but the toll free number and the one you have are no longer working.

ann · Oct 11, 2004

that is what i was afraid of; of course there is always London

How about Eigth street in Canada?

Lumios is going to be easier to find in the US.

mikewhi · Oct 11, 2004

I just got off the phone with Freestyle and they are going to contact their purchasing department to see if this can be special ordered. I placed an order for 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20. I'll let everyone know what, if anything, I get.

Thanks.

-Mike

ann · Oct 11, 2004

Well if they can't , b&h has it and i would image adorama as they carry the same supplies.

Mark Layne · Oct 11, 2004

Kentmere

I have bought from Mike Rosen in the past year. I will see if I can contact him.
In a pinch Kentmere will sell direct from their website, at least last time I checked

Mark Layne · Oct 12, 2004

Kentmere

Darkroom Innovations (Mike Rosen) is still active in representing Kentmere in Canada
His new address etc is on Kentmere's website under AGENTS

I have found him great to deal with

brimc76 · Oct 12, 2004

Thanks Mark I'll give him a call.

jandc · Oct 12, 2004

Dave Miller said:
Given the amount of doom, gloom, and teeth gnashing that has prevailed recently over the decline in the photoproduct manufacturing base, I thought I should remind folk that Kentmere is still churning out quality papers here in England, and distributing worldwide.
Checkout their site at: Kentmere uk
Here I should warn you that whilst they make very good photographic products they are still in the Stone Age where web sites are concerned!

Those of you in the New World may like to go to:
Lumios
who brand, and market Kentmere as their own in those former colonies; and have a rather better web site.

We are in the process of placing an order with Kentmere to carry their Fiber Based paper line. I would anticipate availability in about 60-90 days.

Jeanne · Oct 12, 2004

jandc said:
We are in the process of placing an order with Kentmere to carry their Fiber Based paper line. I would anticipate availability in about 60-90 days.

Wonderful!

ann · Oct 12, 2004

great. would rather buy from you anyway.

mikewhi · Oct 14, 2004

Me, too, but since I've already committed to Freestyel on this small order, I'll go thru them this once and w\switch over to JandC when they get it in.

Thanks.

-Mike

Leon · Oct 14, 2004

I'm really keen to try the Fineprint F.G. Warmtone but am put off by the "semi-matt" finish. Has anyone experience of this - how "semi" is semi matt? I really like the luxurious gloss of MGFB warm tone - how does it compare ....? Not sure I'd like a matt finish

Dave Miller · Oct 14, 2004

It's what anyone else would call Satin! Quite nice, varies slightly as to how it's dried.

Mark Layne · Oct 16, 2004

Kentmere

jandc said:
We are in the process of placing an order with Kentmere to carry their Fiber Based paper line. I would anticipate availability in about 60-90 days.

Hope this will include the graded Bromide and Kentona John
Mark

mikewhi · Oct 29, 2004

mikewhi said:
Me, too, but since I've already committed to Freestyel on this small order, I'll go thru them this once and w\switch over to JandC when they get it in.

Thanks.

-Mike

I heard back from the nice lday at Freestyle. Here is what she said:

"I'm sorry it took so long for me to get back to you, but I have just
received word that Luminos USA does not carry Bromide paper in sheets. I
checked on their website and they do have it in a mural roll, which is
described below:

BROMIDE MURAL R a medium weight textured white fibre base with a silver
rich fast bromide emulsion. Used exclusively for murals it can be toned and
handcolored. Available in contrast grades 2 and 3 with an ISO speed of 400,
only in 51" X 100' rolls."

She ended up agreeing with me that I should go with JandC if they end up stocking it. I have e-mailed John to try to pin down exactly what they will be carrying. I believe he said they will stock Kentmere - is that the same stuff as the graded Luminos bromide paper?

-Mike

mikewhi · Oct 29, 2004

Checked Kentmere web-site and it looks like the description of the Bromide Mural R is the same as the Kentmere Bromide, except Kentmere only lists Grade 2 available.

I hope JandC can set me straight.

-Mike

Kentmere Papers

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency