Let us talk about Kentmere 400 again?

[zerobuttons]

Regarding the source of the Kentmere:

Here is what Firstcall Photographic writes in the product description:
"Two new Kentmere films break new ground and offer incredible value.
One of the most interesting news releases this year has just come from Kentmere confirming the launch of two brand new films. Unlike LegacyPro which was re-badged Fuji or ProFilm which is re-badged Kodak film, Kentmere Kentmere is brand new film coated to a formula that all modern photographers will appreciate.
Made by Ilford in ISO 100 or ISO 400, the new emulsion is coated onto an acetate layer (rather than polyester) giving two fantastic-quality general purpose panchromatic films that are (in our view) every bit as good as comparable Ilford, Fuji, Foma or Kodak mainstays."
Link: http://www.firstcall-photographic.c...tmere-400-black-and-white-film-iso-400-135-24

Here is what Fotofachversand writes in the product description:
"Britische Qualität aus dem Hause Harman (Ilford) zu besonders attraktiven Preisen!
SW-Film mit höherer Empfindlichkeit, speziell für Reportagen und Available-Light Situationen geeignet. Belichtungsspielraum von ISO 320/26° bis ISO 800/30°."
Link: http://www.fotofachversand.at/shop/...category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=23

This sheet with technical information about the Kentmere film bears the Harman name:
http://www.foto-riegler.at/pdf/datasheet_Kentmere_400_Film_english.pdf

I also notice that some sellers don´t write anything at all about the manufacturing source of Kentmere.

 

[haempe]

/me being the person to whom my friend Randomm sold his remaining Kentmere 400 stash. I do like the film but I must note it's to some degree an acquired taste. If you like grain like in Tri-X in Rodinal 1:50 or Delta 3200 you might also like Kentmere 400. I normally use EI 250 and develop it in HC-110H for 11 minutes.

It is a very interesting film because it has so many faces.
In a old school developer like Rodinal it looks old school, in TMaxDev (for example) more modern, nearly like a T-grain film.

okay...what i learnt from this thread:

a. Rollei RPX is Kentmere 400
b. Kentmere pushes well to 3200
c. Kentmere works best with T-Max Developer

raytoei

I hoped Fotohuis would come to this thread.
I guess he can say something about a.
b. is what I tried to say and what surprises me positiv
c. It is my first impression. Further testing seems worthwhile ...

Neopan 400 was discontinued in 120, but it's still available in 35mm.

Thanks for clarification.
I only buy 35mm film in bulk, so after the death of LegacyPro400 Neopan 400 is also dead for me...😉

Regarding Kentmere vs RPX:
First Maco offered RPX in 135 and 120.
Now only in 120 and in 135 Kentmere.
For me Randomm's info fits in this scenario...

 

[paulfish4570]

in d-76 1:1 it looks old-school, too.

 

[Tim Gray]

When I asked about this Ilford staff were very careful to say that they no longer supply Ilford film for repackaging. I took this to mean Ilford labelled films, not necessarily Kentmere film made by Ilford, but I've spent too much time in courts lately and might be hyper-sensitive to these kinds of semantics.

That is quite possible. I was just relating what Simon said.

 

[randomm]

I'm not saying you are lying, but I do know that Simon Galley (of Ilford) has repeatedly stated they no longer sell their films for relabeling. I do think they will coat products for other people, but they won't repackage an existing film. This all grew out of them reorganizing a couple years ago.

Just repeating what I heard from a guy who has a business relation with Maco, that's all. However, the assumption is supported by the fact that its definitely the worst performer of B&W films that I've developed in Caffenol. From my personal observations and comparisons I can say that RPX400 certainly isn't Foma 400 (beautiful in Caffenol-C-M) or 200, nor Tri-X, nor HP5+. I also doubt it could be Efke's either.

What emulsions or manufacturers are there left? I guess theoretically speaking it could be something manufactured by Agfa Netherlands, or some other smaller player, and relabeled by Maco. In Caffenol RPX400 looked very similar to APX400 (which I similarly hated to be honest!).

 

[Tim Gray]

That's quite possible. Simon's wording I believe stated that they don't relabel THEIR (Ilford's) films, even to brands they own (Kentmere). He never said anything about relabeling Kentmere... Also, I found this link about RPX100 and RPX400:

http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/00Xdsn

RPX 100/400 are two cubical classical type films. The emulsion and product is the end-result of a cooperation between Ilford/Harman, Efke and the Rollei-Maco company.

So who knows. It certainly sounds like Ilford was involved with RPX in some manner.

 

[zauhar]

I just "discovered" RPX 400.

If Kentmere is the same stuff for $1 less a roll, I'm there dude.

Randy

 

[randomm]

That's quite possible. Simon's wording I believe stated that they don't relabel THEIR (Ilford's) films, even to brands they own (Kentmere). He never said anything about relabeling Kentmere... Also, I found this link about RPX100 and RPX400:

http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-film-processing-forum/00Xdsn



So who knows. It certainly sounds like Ilford was involved with RPX in some manner.

And given that Maco does not make film or emulsions, it really leaves Efke or Ilford where the stuff comes from. Does Efke make anything at 400 asa?

 

[robbeiflex]

My apologies for having derailed this thread earlier. The OP really did a nice job on the push. I actually wanted to know if it is the same as RPX because I've had mixed results with it, specifically great for scanning but difficult to print in the darkroom. I find HP5+ preferable because it is thicker. How does the K400 "handle"?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[haempe]

My apologies for having derailed this thread earlier. The OP really did a nice job on the push. I actually wanted to know if it is the same as RPX because I've had mixed results with it, specifically great for scanning but difficult to print in the darkroom. I find HP5+ preferable because it is thicker. How does the K400 "handle"?

Thanks,
Rob

Rob, do you speak about the base or the density if you say "thicker"?

 

[haempe]

I just "discovered" RPX 400.
If Kentmere is the same stuff for $1 less a roll, I'm there dude.
Randy

Give it a try, Randy. 🙂
Has potential!

 

[robbeiflex]

Rob, do you speak about the base or the density if you say "thicker"?

A bit of both. HP5+ needs a longer (1.5x to 2x) exposure in the enlarger for a similar print.

 

[haempe]

A bit of both. HP5+ needs a longer (1.5x to 2x) exposure in the enlarger for a similar print.

I never had a RPX in the hand. So I can't compare.
But the K400 base looks similar to the TX, just don't curl... 🙂

Is the RPX clear PE?

 

[robbeiflex]

I never had a RPX in the hand. So I can't compare.
But the K400 base looks similar to the TX, just don't curl... 🙂

Is the RPX clear PE?

The RPX has a similar colour base to the Ilfords, and dries nice and flat, bit you can feel that it is thinner. It's not PE. I played around with some Efke 25, which is very clear, although it was tough to print from the results were beautifully sharp and low grain. Don't get me wrong, I like grain a lot, but it can be fun to try and minimize it sometimes.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[HHPhoto]

So is Kentmere 400 the same as Rollei RPX 400? If so then I concur, if not then I'll have to get my hands on some and give it a try. See my Flickr for samples of RPX 400, I have them tagged.

Cheers,
Rob

Hi Rob,

no, Kentmere 400 and Rollei RPX are not the same films (although they are quite similar).

German Masterprinter Wolfgang Moersch ( www.moersch-photochemie.de ) has tested them in direct comparison and came to the conclusion that Kentmere and RPX are not identical.

I did a similar test and can confirm his results.

It is correct that the RPX films are made by Ilford. Most probably they are derived from the Ilford Pan 100 and 400 series.

Whether Kentmere 400, RPX 400, well, for me it doesn't matter.

Kentmere is about 2,98€ / film.
And TMY-2 is about 3,45€.
TMY-2 is much much better in all respects. It get the best performance for the price with the Kodak.
It is a no brainer for me.

Cheers, Jan