Film Kentmere 200 Film Being Released

[agentlossing]

Kentmere 200 - My First Couple of Rolls with this Brand New 200 Speed B&W Film

Back in late March, Michelle from Harman got in touch with news of yet another forthcoming film launch for 2025 - this time Kentmere 200

www.35mmc.com

I had not heard anything about this film, but it looks very interesting. I like Kentmere 400, but find it responds better to some developers than others (doesn't really like my go-to Rodinal).

I enjoyed my time with a bulk roll of Fomapan 200 in the past, but found it pretty grainy for its speed. I think I'll enjoy trying this new film out when it's available

 

[agentlossing]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1887914-REG/kentmere_6015055_400_black_and_white.html/overview

Available on B&H.

Looking at the examples in the previous article, I'd say this looks like a grainier FP4 Plus, in other words a lot of contrast and deep blacks. I need to give it a try soon.

 

[Silver Halide]

Available in UK but at present seemingly only from Harman/Ilford at the moment with the prices around the same as the current 100/400iso in 35mm, 120 and sheets. Bulk reloads of 35mm will be available shortly.

 

[Silver Halide]

Kentmere 200 - My First Couple of Rolls with this Brand New 200 Speed B&W Film

Back in late March, Michelle from Harman got in touch with news of yet another forthcoming film launch for 2025 - this time Kentmere 200

www.35mmc.com

I had not heard anything about this film, but it looks very interesting. I like Kentmere 400, but find it responds better to some developers than others (doesn't really like my go-to Rodinal).

I enjoyed my time with a bulk roll of Fomapan 200 in the past, but found it pretty grainy for its speed. I think I'll enjoy trying this new film out when it's available

The general understanding with Rodinal for the optimum results it is best used with slow/medium speed film up to 125iso. Any faster will in my experience make grain too obvious, unless that is what is intended. I have used it a long while ago with Kodak's High speed Infra red (long since discontinued) just to get frames with very obvious grain which it certainly did.

 

[agentlossing]

HP5 Plus looks nice with Rodinal at 400, or even pushed. But some other faster films definitely don't. What I found with Kentmere 400 is that the grain looks mushy, and shadows are muddy, with Rodinal.

 

[Silver Halide]

HP5 Plus looks nice with Rodinal at 400, or even pushed. But some other faster films definitely don't. What I found with Kentmere 400 is that the grain looks mushy, and shadows are muddy, with Rodinal.

I have not used Rodinal for a good many years but I always found that if the development instructions (not necessarily the time) Rodinal will always give images with grain that is well defined. Kentmere is reputed (I have never used Kentmere 400) to be slightly down in contrast which it seems with the introduction of Kentmere 200 is aimed to correct this with designed increased contrast.
The development instructions on the bottles of Rodinal, (The original) and the Adox reincarnation of Rodinal which is an exact copy of the original recipe, state the development to retain the acutance effect, the agitation must be 30secs inversion when the tank is filled and one inversion every 30 seconds afterwards.
I know that some users, and in no way stating that it is your method, is to over agitate. But if that is done, this will reduce or eliminate the acutance the affect and will probably give 'mushy grain'.

 

[agentlossing]

I have not used Rodinal for a good many years but I always found that if the development instructions (not necessarily the time) Rodinal will always give images with grain that is well defined. Kentmere is reputed (I have never used Kentmere 400) to be slightly down in contrast which it seems with the introduction of Kentmere 200 is aimed to correct this with designed increased contrast.
The development instructions on the bottles of Rodinal, (The original) and the Adox reincarnation of Rodinal which is an exact copy of the original recipe, state the development to retain the acutance effect, the agitation must be 30secs inversion when the tank is filled and one inversion every 30 seconds afterwards.
I know that some users, and in no way stating that it is your method, is to over agitate. But if that is done, this will reduce or eliminate the acutance the affect and will probably give 'mushy grain'.

Great tip! I tend towards less agitation, but I haven't dialed it all the way back to what you mention. It's definitely worth a shot with K400. I have found TMAX developer does nicely with K400 and I have a couple bottles of that.