Let's talk paper...

[ibcrewin]

I have a big pile of expired paper that seems to work just fine, but I want to try using some new stock to see if there's a big difference. I want to get some good paper, but not terribly expensive. 5x7 or 8x10. Probably glossy or anything that looks good in a frame behind glass.

What is your favorite paper? What differences can I expect?

Thanks!

 

[Chris101]

I have some Ilford Multigrade RC paper that is more than 20 years old, and has a slight overall grayness to it.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Favorite? For exhibition? No contest: Ilford's latest Art 300, http://www.shutterbug.com/content/ilford-multigrade-art-300-new-exciting-multigrade-silver-paper

Cheers,

R.

 

[gns]

I don't print in the darkroom right now, but for the last several years that I did, I used Oriental/glossy/graded paper. These were 6 x 7 negs enlarged to about 6" x 7". Looked pretty good.

 

[nikon_sam]

I have some Ilford Multigrade RC paper that is more than 20 years old, and has a slight overall grayness to it.

I recently bought some expired Agfa MCP 312 RC (8x10) that's a bit foggy...
Next time I print I'm going to use some Moersch Restrainer (Orthazite) to help battle the Greys...
I like the Agfa FB stuff...very hard to find...:bang:

 

[Chris101]

Favorite? For exhibition? No contest: Ilford's latest Art 300, http://www.shutterbug.com/content/ilford-multigrade-art-300-new-exciting-multigrade-silver-paper

Cheers,

R.

That sounds like cool stuff Roger. I love holding heavy fiber prints in my hands. I have about 20 sheets of regular FB left, so when that's gone, I'll give this stuff a shot.

by the way, tonight is darkroom night!

 

[al1966]

I recently bought some expired Agfa MCP 312 RC (8x10) that's a bit foggy...
Next time I print I'm going to use some Moersch Restrainer (Orthazite) to help battle the Greys...
I like the Agfa FB stuff...very hard to find...:bang:

Have you looked at the Adox papers a couple are supposed to be very similar. I am going to buy some soon as I used to love Agfa papers, they were all I used in the 1980's, but I used the fixed grade papers though.
I am quite happy with Ilford's Multigrade at the moment, I tend to get the most matte paper I can get though, apart from the old Cibachrome I have never been a big fan of gloss.

 

[sepiareverb]

I've not tried it yet, but the Ilford ART is stunning from the samples I've seen. Different than 'regular' tho.

I have Ilford Multigrade, Oriental Seagull VC, Adox Variotone Warm and FOMA 532 as my regulars (all FB, and all but the 532 in glossy). I don't use RC anymore since getting a big batch of a test run of the Adox MCC FB on single weight stock a year and a half ago or so. Real proofsheets again!

 

[nikon_sam]

I've looked into the Adox stuff and look forward to using it...for now I still have a bunch paper that needs to be used up...

Chris101...have a great Darkroom Night...

 

[Turtle]

Ilford MGWT. If you want a sumptuous glossy paper with incredible depth, a relatibely neutral base with a slight warmth, look no further. Have never used a better all round paper in 12 years printing.... only the old Oriental Seagul and Kodak Polymax Fine Art VC (both cooler) could produce this sort of juiciness and both are long gone.

 

[ooze]

Ilford MGIV Warmtone...in a cold tone developer. The Adox111 FB is also gorgeous. I used to be a huge fan of Agfa MCC111 and the Adox paper is a replica on a whiter base.

Haven't seen the Art300 paper in our market yet.

 

[ibcrewin]

This is all great stuff. Thanks for the input and keep it coming!

 

[drewbarb]

The fiber papers from Bergger have been my favorites for exhibition prints for a while, but I also like Oriental's Neutral FB. Not surprisingly my print clients tend to choose from these more often than not, too- although one or two are devotees of Ilford papers. I haven't used the Ilford Multigrade Art 300 yet, but it sounds like I should really give it a shot. For regular (non exhibition) prints, I find the Varycon FB to be quite nice, too.

 

[Chuck Albertson]

I mostly use Adox MCC, their resurrection of the former Agfa Multicontrast FB line. Slightly brighter base than Agfa used, and really good blacks. The new Ilford stuff is starting to show up on the shelves at Glazer's, so I might give it a try.

 

[Robbie Bedell]

I just finished a project on Kentmere Fiberprint VC and compared it to the Oriental I had used for a long time. The Kentmere is a very nice paper. It has cool, rich tones and dries very flat. It also has a very white base. It is also quite a bit more contrasty but once I got the hang of it I made some very nice prints.

http://robbiebedell.photoshelter.com

 

[shadowfox]

Adox MCP.

Here's a complete info about it:
http://www.adox.de/english/ADOX_Papers/ADOX%20MCP%20-/MCP.html

I'm a big believer in RC papers.

 

[rodneyAB]

Adox MCP310, and MCC110
as a beginner, the RC is easier to finnish than the FB