Quality Papers

[John Kasaian]

Every time I settle in with a printing paper it gets discontinued.
If Vegas took bets on it, I'd could be a millionaire, I tells ya.

[John Layton]

Bryan...I'm using the 150 G-Claron to enlarge from 4x5 negatives to 16x20 and 20x30 (30x40's from 4x5 done vertically need the 120mm WA Rodagon), and from 5x7 negatives to 16x20, 20x30, and 30x40. Works great at all of these ratios. Right now I'm setting up my DIY horizontal enlarger to do 40x60's - which I will test out with a composite consisting of 15 11x14's (RC paper) butted and taped, and if all goes well I will build a larger version of my 30x40 "single tray" system:

[Corran]

Very cool John - didn't realize you were doing such large prints. I am still puzzling out the best way to make larger than 20x24 prints in my space, not to mention budget concerns.

But, now back to making contact prints for an open house at the gallery this weekend... .

[Sal Santamaura]

…Ilfobrom Galerie. It is unfortunate that all the contrast grades are not available...

Not even 2 any longer. Grade 3 is all that's still being manufactured.

Link to official confirmation of that please...

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...n-discontinued

I don’t post rumors.

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

I agree with the replies stating that most papers available today are very good.

I tend to favor Ilford Classic in the neutral (slightly warm) tone and the Ilford Warmtone is awesome with the right image. Foma 111 Varient in glossy is great and tones very nicely, also if you like the Foma paper you will like the Arista EDU Ultra equally well. I do love the Adox as well, but it is a tad bit more expensive than the others.

Mr. Biggerstaff:

I only have the computer images to go on, but your photographs of Aspens in Colorado are absolutely wonderful. (But then l love photos of trees). Anyway, when you print those Aspen photos what specific paper(s) do you use?

[Tim V]

I don't hear people talking about it much, but I lover Bergger Warmtone VCB Semi-gloss. I love the ivory tint and deep, rich blacks. While I haven't tried all the papers out there–nowhere near–I wonder if it's a somewhat unique product?

[dwross]

Every time I settle in with a printing paper it gets discontinued.
If Vegas took bets on it, I'd could be a millionaire, I tells ya.

You might consider making your own silver gelatin printing paper. It's lovely, simple, relatively inexpensive, and it can never be taken away from you. You can choose your own base paper color and texture, along with choosing the emulsion color you want. The only options not available (at this time) are RC-type high gloss and variable contrast. Just a thought :-).

[esearing]

Rollie makes a liquid emulsion that is variable contrast - RBM33

[dwross]

Rollie makes a liquid emulsion that is variable contrast - RBM33

Very true. And Ilford makes outstanding variable contrast paper. However, if the goal is be free of worry that a material might disappear on you, then handmade materials are the way to go.

[Drew Wiley]

This might be the best time ever for silver gelatin papers. Sure, they're VC and costly, but there are not only choices, but very high quality choices. Everything has its season. I'm going extinct myself someday.