Paper Developer Question for Kentmere Users

Uncle Bill · Oct 23, 2007

In my quest to find the right fibre paper for me, I have been doing "taste tests" off and on.

I picked up a packet of Kentmere Fineprint VC FB Glossy paper last night, when I got home I did a quick look up with the British and American sites and found there was a difference of opinion on paper developers. I use Dektol at 1:2 I found that the British site was lukewarm on this particular chemical (recommending other developers including one I stopped using) and the American site says, yes it's ok.

Of course on another part of the Kentmere USA site under their new chemicals section and they make a Dektol clone which I assue they would like to sell you when you buy Kentmere paper.

Am I cool with Dektol with Kentmere Fineprint VC FB?

Renato Tonelli · Oct 23, 2007

I've also been using a two developer method: Selectol-Soft 1:1 (30-60secs) Dektol 1:2 (remainder of time to 2min) with Kentmere paper. I have been happy with the results.

juan · Oct 23, 2007

Dektol has been OK for every paper I've ever tried. It may not be the best, but it's always produced images I'm not ashamed of. If you have it, use it. After using it for awhile, you may decide you would like a quality that some other developer would give.
juan

Black Dog · Oct 23, 2007

I've used PQ Universal a lot which is great with just about everything (also Beers and amidol for FB-Kentona is dynamite with amidol).

Thomas Bertilsson · Oct 23, 2007

Dektol should be fine. It's worked fine with every other paper I've tried it with.
I use Ansco 130 glycin developer with both the variable contrast papers and the graded Kentona and Bromide. Very good combination.
You may have to tweak your printing significantly to get a print that resembles any other VC paper with the Fineprint. Blacks are highly intense (beautiful) and the whites are crisp as crisp will get. It's great paper, but different.
- Thomas

Michel Hardy-Vallée · Oct 23, 2007

I use Ansco 130 (from PF) on my Kentmere Bromide, and have no complaints.

I did my tests once between Dektol, PolymaxT, and Ansco 130, and that's the order in which they are increasingly better. Dektol works, but I could extract a little bit more tone separation with the other two, and Ansco 130 wins hands down. It's as if I discovered grey tones I hadn't seen before!

PolymaxT is a good compromise. It's easy to find, easy to mix (liquid) and gives better tone separation than Dektol. Plus, you have a dead neutral tone, so if you don't use selenium, you'll have as little as possible of green cast.

Bruce Osgood · Oct 23, 2007

Uncle Bill said:
Am I cool with Dektol with Kentmere Fineprint VC FB?

Yes.

But if you want to get HOT try Ansco 130. Either the 'store bought' or the enhanced Clarke variant for home brew.

I've found the Ansco 130 variant brings a little more seperation within the rich shadow detail.

The paper is wonderful in anything. I hope ILFORD/Harman won't screw it up.

Black Dog · Oct 23, 2007

Bruce, where can I find the frormula for the Clarke variant? TIA

Bruce Osgood · Oct 23, 2007

Black Dog said:
Bruce, where can I find the frormula for the Clarke variant? TIA

Ansco 130 - Evan Clarke

To make 2 Liter stock

Distilled water 52-c --- 1,400 mL
Metol - 4.4 g
Sodium Sulfite - 100 g
Hydroquione - 22 g
Sodium Carbonate - 160 g Anhy or 187 g Mono
Glycin - 22 g
1% Benzotriazole Solution - 30 cc
Cold water to 2,000 mL.

Dilute 1 + 1 for use. Develop 1-1/2 minutes room temperature.

No bromide is needed. Glycin and 1% Benzo replace it.

Ben 4 · Oct 23, 2007

Bromophen

I've settled on Ilford's Bromophen as my standard print developer, and it works quite well with Kentmere Fineprint, which is my fiber paper of choice. I've also developed the Fineprint in 130, which results in noticeably higher contrast. I see no reason why Dektol would not be a good match.

jp80874 · Oct 23, 2007

Very happy with Ilford Multigrade developer and Kentmere Fineprint VC FB Glossy paper since Kodak stopped making paper. What is that 3-4 years now? I print 7x17 contact prints and 20x24 enlargements of 8x10 negatives.

John Powers

Shawn Dougherty · Oct 23, 2007

I've settled on PF 130 for use with my Bromide and Kentona. The only developer I believe is superior is Amidol and only for it's increased activity in a water bath. On prints that don't need an extreme water bath the PF130 is indistinguishable. Best of luck. Shawn

jeroldharter · Oct 23, 2007

I use Kentmere FP VC with Zone VI developer.

It mixes easily with two separate bags of powdered chemicals, keeps well, and is relatively inexpensive. You get about 10% off if you buy several packs which lasts me 1-2 years. Good deep blacks. Mixes 1:3.

Black Dog · Oct 24, 2007

Just ordered some Fomatol PW from Silverprint-W/T glycin based dev so should be good. Also going to try Samuel Fein's Amidol formula (can be found on unblinkingeye.com) and Ilford W/T.

Neal · Oct 24, 2007

Dear Uncle Bill,

The results of the test are based on your tastes, not others. Give it a try.

Neal Wydra

ath · Oct 24, 2007

Black Dog said:
Just ordered some Fomatol PW from Silverprint-W/T glycin based dev so should be good.

Has anybody informations regarding the shelf life of mixed Fomatol PW?

Thanks,

Bob F. · Oct 24, 2007

OT - Fomatol

I wasn't aware of Fomatol PW - I'll have to give it a try as I'm nearly out of glycin for homebrew Ansco 130 and shipping glycin from The Formulary whilst not too expensive, is a pain... Wonder if it is the same (or very similar) to Ansco 130 - my favourite for just about any paper, including Fineprint FB.

Bob.

Neanderman · Oct 24, 2007

Uncle Bill said:
I picked up a packet of Kentmere Fineprint VC FB Glossy paper last night

Formulary BW-65 or Ansco 130, if you're into brewing your own. Awesome results.

craigclu · Dec 10, 2007

I would recommend that people give the benzotriazole variant of 130 a try. I love the tones and rich blacks on WT papers, (both Ilford and Kentmere that I've tried it on).

There's a short discussion in the articles area on this:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

The eclarke comment has his variation that I tried and prefer.

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