Originally Posted by
esearing
Not a double blind sample but a tested preference - I tested the same prints in LPD, Ilford Multigrade , PF Liquidol, and PF130 side by side on 3 different papers over a period of several weeks. Multigrade and Liquidol were blah comapred to the other two, mushy in middle tones. LPD dilute gives a warm-neutral not achieving max black, but seems to have greater detail in the highlights, which works for some images. Fresh PF 130 just popped compared to all the others for my typical waterfall shots. I even ripped a sheet in half and compared it to liquidol to make sure it wasn't anticipation bias. Today I tend to use 130 1:2 or even mix old with new to get less pop out of it especially with warmtone papers where I want a softer older appearance. LPD seems to be out of stock when I need it or the stock solution goes off after about a year. They changed from cans to plastic bags for packaging and it doesn't seem to keep as well.
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