I am thinking back to the Agfa era when graded paper in fibre based, even double weight , was readily available. What is the equivalent now for darkroom work . I just want to get away from the multigrade paper and find what is out there.
I am thinking back to the Agfa era when graded paper in fibre based, even double weight , was readily available. What is the equivalent now for darkroom work . I just want to get away from the multigrade paper and find what is out there.
Unfortunately, not much to pick from nowadays. I like Ilford Galerie for enlargements (Fomabrom isn't bad, either) and Adox Lupex for contact prints.
For enlarging, Ilford Galerie is a beautiful paper (always has been), however Fomabrom is probably the most "versatile" in that it comes in four grades. I've never used Foma paper so I can't comment on it in terms of characteristics.
I don't think there is much else besides a few contact papers.
All you can buy today is grade 3 Galerie. You might try to buy some older graded paper on Ebay. I've got a supply of my own older graded that works Ok but it's been properly stored. Ones I've purchased are mostly Ok but a few are heavily fogged.
i once loved agfa record rapid n portriga but those days are gone. but i gotta say the multi grade illford papers are very nice. love the ability to do multi grade filter adjustments that were impossible with graded papers. the results are stunning too. it just takes getting use to a different way of exposing your paper.
By all means give Fomabrom a try.
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White
Portriga Rapid was king of graded papers, in my opinion. Fomatone Classic comes very close to emulating the Portriga look.
They're pretty much gone. The last I used were Ilfobrom Galerie and EMaks. I formerly depended on Seagull G, Brilliant Bromide, and sometimes Portriga. Some of today's VC papers are just so much easier to use and downright good that it's hard to look back. I now mostly use Ilford MGWT and MGCT.
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