Paper Choices!

[N.delaRua]

So I am finally taking at fine art photography class in college!!!

I am looking for some personal opinions or knowledge on a couple of different types of paper.

First, we must purchase Fiber Based Variable Contrast paper, but the brand and types are up to us.

I am set on purchasing semi-matte or matte paper, but there are so many different brands!

The only thing I can't really wrap my head around is the cool tone, neutral tone, and warm tone differences. Does anyone have any examples? I am assuming cool tones will be more "blue," neutral tones=neutral grays, and warm tones more amber/orange.

The five brands I am looking at (in order of least expensive to most)
100 Sheets 8X10
1) Arista EDU ~ $53
2) Fotokemika VaryCon
3) Adox
4) Fomabrom
5) Illford ~ $120

Are there any that I should stay away from?? The price difference from top to bottom is double!

Thanks!

 

[Freakscene]

My favourite currently available semi-matte finish is the Kentmere one and my favourite mate is the Ilford one.

There is no "bad" paper anymore; you sometimes need to tailor your negatives to the paper but then practice, practice, practice.

Marty

 

[le vrai rdu]

my favorite is ilford fb fiber IV multigrade baryté matte 🙂

I like it in 24 cm x 30 cm sheets 🙂

Yes I know, it is not in your list but .............. 😀

 

[morback]

I used to use Agfa film and Agfa paper. Printed like a dream.

Matte fiber papers never reached the richness of gloss or semi-gloss papers. They always looked dull and flat to me. No matter how contrasty you print it.

Something to keep in mind maybe.

 

[tbm]

I am currently printing all of my best Leica-based negatives on Ilford's warmtone glossy fiber paper (8x10) and the results are phenomenally outstanding! The warmtone effect is subtle, whereas upon recently trying Oriental warmtone fiber paper the results were awful in that it was almost the color of urine!

 

[Freakscene]

Matte fiber papers never reached the richness of gloss or semi-gloss papers. They always looked dull and flat to me. No matter how contrasty you print it. Something to keep in mind maybe.

The DMax of matte papers is lower because their reflectance is lower. This means you get lower shadow contrast on matte paper.

Marty

 

[titrisol]

Go for the Arista EDU whch is probably foma paper and is very good. Do not worry too much about tone, get the neutral semimatt one. Also check in the college darkroom if they have a machine to gloss the glossy papers (or get a 25 sheet envelope of glossy papers)

I think economy is the main consideration in this case since are your first prints, which will probably not be brilliant but will give you an opportunity to explore and learn processing techniques.

IMHO you should also buy some RC paper, which is easier to process (harder to screw up) and produces similar results.
If your budget allows get also some of the RC paper for tests on your own time.

FB papers require longer washing times, and are prone to curling and other problems. RC papers may not have the deepness or IQ of the FB papers but with some care will produce very good results and due to the price difference can help you learn faster by allowing you to play more.

 

[blackwave]

Like others have mentioned, keep in mind that a gloss surface in fiber is not the same as a gloss surface in RC. It doesn't have that plastic shine to it.

When I started I was very against glossy, too and bought matte paper. I was disappointed with the richness of the tones I was getting and decided it's not for me. I switched to Kentmere Fineprint VC glossy and have been very happy.

If you go with the more common Ilford MG fiber you won't be missing anything, especially when learning. Yeah, everyone else will have it, too, but it offers great quality.