Kentmere USA?

[Nick Zentena]

I saw a banner. Or maybe I wasn't awake and had a dream but I think I saw it. But it's not on the sponsors list. So should I go back to bed? :confused:

 

[Mongo]

I saw a banner. Or maybe I wasn't awake and had a dream but I think I saw it. But it's not on the sponsors list. So should I go back to bed? :confused:

There is a banner! It takes you to www.kentmereusa.com (although you should, of course, click through the banner to support APUG). Just keep refreshing your screen; eventually you'll get the banner.

Something tells me that I'm about to buy some paper!

 

[Mongo]

For now the only authorized dealer listed in the US is Freestyle Photographic (thankfully, another APUG sponsor), but Freestyle's not listing the papers on their web site just yet.

Just reading the information on the Kentmere site has me salivating!

 

[photomc]

Whew! Saw this last night and thought had too much coffee yesterday!

Agree it looks very interesting..

 

[Nick Zentena]

Of course I've got a Freestyle order already on the way. You think they could have warned me.

 

[Jim Moore]

I am really looking forward to trying this paper.

My current favorite paper is Oriental Seagull V/C, although I would like to start doing more printing on graded papers.

How do the Kentmere papers compare to the Oriental Seagull papers?

I know that JandC said last October that they would be stocking the Kentmere papers too, but haven't seen them listed on their web site yet.

Jim

 

[Aggie]

Freestyle will shortly be listing the Kentmere papers. Sharon Mateo and mysef will be testing some of the Kentmere papers. We'll let ya'll know how it turns out.

 

[Peter Schrager]

Kentmere

Am I confused or isn't Luminos- Kentmere? Now where did I get that idea from? Someone please tell. Thanks
Peter

 

[Aggie]

It was luminos, but now Freestyle has the exclusive rights to North America for all Kentmere products.

 

[Mongo]

Freestyle will shortly be listing the Kentmere papers. Sharon Mateo and mysef will be testing some of the Kentmere papers. We'll let ya'll know how it turns out.

Aggie...color me jealous! I'll be looking forward to your feedback on the papers.

 

[Les McLean]

Am I confused or isn't Luminos- Kentmere? Now where did I get that idea from? Someone please tell. Thanks
Peter

Steve White the former owner of Luminos sold the company to Hannamulle (sp) a company who make digital products and I understand that they have no interest in analogue. Luminos were also the US distributors for Fotospeed, who have a very nice paper called Legacy. Freestyle will also distribute Fotospeed products in the US.

 

[argentic]

It was luminos, but now Freestyle has the exclusive rights to North America for all Kentmere products.

Does this mean that Freestyle will drive Kentmere to bankrupcy like it did with Ilford and Forte?

 

[Sean]

currently Freestyle are promoting Kentmere, so have added a kentmere banner to their rotation, so now the freestyle banner is split 50/50 with a kentmere banner. Not sure if Kentmere want to get their own banner or not yet, but all banner holders are able to add different banners to their rotation if they choose to. They sell Kentmere in NZ and the sample sheets that I saw looked really nice, price was very good too.

 

[david b]

gilbert,
please explain how freestyle drove ilford to bankruptcy...

 

[Bob Carnie]

Ques for Les

I use sterling, kentmere and fotospeed, I believe they all originate in the UK. Are they all under the same umbrella or totally different companys.

I like the product range as well as some of the chemicals of these companys but am confused to who is who, thanks for clearing up the Luminos situation as this was another reseller , but I wasn't sure what products were what.

If someone can clarify I would be happy, I just tested a range of papers and wanted to try the premium j&C paper but got cold feet thinking it may be bergeer .sp. or Forte.

 

[mikewhi]

I have been anxious to try out the Luminos\Kentmere graded bromide paper. I called Freestyle and they said it is not in the first shipment that is\has come in. If anyone has any info on this paper or it's future availability at Freestyle, please let me know. The sales person I got on the phone did not know when any would be coming in.

Thanks.

-Mike

 

[VoidoidRamone]

I have been anxious to try out the Luminos\Kentmere graded bromide paper. I called Freestyle and they said it is not in the first shipment that is\has come in. If anyone has any info on this paper or it's future availability at Freestyle, please let me know. The sales person I got on the phone did not know when any would be coming in.

Thanks.

-Mike

I am also anxious to try this paper. On the Kentmere site they said it will be out in April 2005. It sounds nice.
-Grant

 

[Les McLean]

Ques for Les

I use sterling, kentmere and fotospeed, I believe they all originate in the UK. Are they all under the same umbrella or totally different companys.

I like the product range as well as some of the chemicals of these companys but am confused to who is who, thanks for clearing up the Luminos situation as this was another reseller , but I wasn't sure what products were what.

If someone can clarify I would be happy, I just tested a range of papers and wanted to try the premium j&C paper but got cold feet thinking it may be bergeer .sp. or Forte.

Reply to Bob
Sterling paper is no longer made, they went out of busines quite a few years ago. Their paper was made in the old Agfa factory in India and when it folded I understand the owner sold the land for property development. The owner did say that he was going to open a new coating plant when the old one closed but it never happened.

Kentmere is a small privately owned business based in the Lake District in North West England. They make thier own range of analogue papers as well as an increasing range of digital papers. They also coat for other companies.

Fotospeed are another small independent UK company who have a number of analogue papers, mostly RC but Legacy is fibre and IMO very nice. They have papers made to their spec but I'm not allowed to disclose the coating plants concerned. I can tell you that the original Fotospeed Lith paper was made by Kentmere but it did not compare favourably with the Sterling Lith so I believe it was discontinued. They also do a good range of print and film developers and toners. They have recently started a digital wing to the company.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Hi Les
thanks for the reply
I used sterling lith extensively up until the India plant was sold, I have tried their new versions , not anywhere as good but the last emulsion had a look that I like so I bought sterling lith as recently as 1 month ago. I have been told the cadium is out therefore the different look
I also use Art Document from sterling which is very nice.
Kentmere I think made the kentona paper and as well that very heavy textured paper in a graded selection.
The Canadian distributer seems to buy from all three of these companys but unfortunately is not in a position to bring in any volume worth considering.
Champion Nova Lith for example is a beautiful developer for lith printing.

Here is the rub,,, Champion is in Missisauga Ont, 20 min drive from my Lab, I use to be able to buy direct 25 gallons A B for $140 canadian.
Champion sold to either sterling or fotospeed. the last quote I got to bring in the stuff to my lab was Just under $200 for a five litre mix, I would have to purchase 20 units to get this price. My Canadian dealer is not able to finance any proper supply, very disturbing to say the least. I have tried mixing my own from formulas off the unblinking eye and eddie ephrams book, but these mixes so far are a pale comparison to Champion nova. Luckly Macoe makes a lith dev which is nice but still quite expensive for the volumes that I like to use.

So , I do hope a reseller for Kentmere
will open up on the east coast (nothing wrong with freestyle) but they are 3900 miles from my shop.
Maybe they should be talking to Fotospeed and Sterling and Kentmere ,because I do like these products form the UK but not at the prices expected from one small Lab here in Toronto.
So any way Les, if you have any pull with these three companys, let them know there is a market for their products here , just make sure all three are represented by a east coast and west coast distributer and they would do well.

 

[Maine-iac]

Just reading the information on the Kentmere site has me salivating!

Someone will have to enlighten me as to the reason for so much salivating.

Was Luminous really that good a paper? I am probably hugely ignorant, but always thought it was a "poor cousin" alternative to such true luminaries as Seagull, etc. Has Kentmere come out with a premium line now?

In other words, what is there about this Kentmere that would have me trading in (or adding to) my Agfa MCC?

Larry

 

[Peter Schrager]

Luminos/Kentmere

Anyone looking for the graded or otherwise might do well to call Adorama or B+H in NYC. They were retailers for Luminos and just might have leftover stock.
Peter

 

[m. dowdall]

Kentmere in Canada?

..snip...
So , I do hope a reseller for Kentmere
will open up on the east coast (nothing wrong with freestyle) but they are 3900 miles from my shop.
Maybe they should be talking to Fotospeed and Sterling and Kentmere ,because I do like these products form the UK but not at the prices expected from one small Lab here in Toronto.
So any way Les, if you have any pull with these three companys, let them know there is a market for their products here , just make sure all three are represented by a east coast and west coast distributer and they would do well.

Add another vote for distribution in Canada (or close). I've wished to try these papers and the lith developer Bob speaks of but the price has put me off for now.

Michael

 

[Mongo]

Just a quick FYI...Kentmere papers have started showing up on the Freestyle site.

 

[Mark Layne]

While I do my best to support the Canadian distributor, paper can be ordered direct from Kentmere and it takes less time than mailing across NA.
I see the USA site lists graded Bromide in several grades. Kentmere's own site lists only one grade. Something does not add up.

 

[Bob F.]

Someone will have to enlighten me as to the reason for so much salivating.

Was Luminous really that good a paper? I am probably hugely ignorant, but always thought it was a "poor cousin" alternative to such true luminaries as Seagull, etc. Has Kentmere come out with a premium line now?

In other words, what is there about this Kentmere that would have me trading in (or adding to) my Agfa MCC?

Larry

Depends... Kentmere have always had "premium" paper (Bromide, Kentona, Art Document/Classic etc) - possibly Luminous did not stock the full range of Kentmere paper? I've no idea. Have a look at the Kentmere site - may be something of interest to you, may be not. ..

Cheers, Bob.