Page 1 of 5 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 50

Thread: Quality Papers

  1. #1
    Kevin Kolosky
    Join Date
    Jun 1999
    Posts
    791

    Quality Papers

    I realize its subjective opinion, but I would like to know what you think are the highest quality photographic papers (silver based) on the market today, and why.

    Or, to put it another way, if you are selling your fine prints, what paper are you using to make those prints, and why.

  2. #2
    jp's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    5,628

    Re: Quality Papers

    Most of the options are high quality. The market has been survival of the fittest and art oriented rather than mass consumer oriented.

  3. #3
    bob carnie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario,
    Posts
    4,939

    Re: Quality Papers

    If I told you Ilford matt fb paper was the best , many here would say I was crazy, but in fact many printers us this paper in conjunction with bleach sepia and selenium and it is outstanding.

    There fore I would suggest most papers on the market are of high quality when used in a manner that suits the printer and photographer.

    I like the Ilford papers btw but love foma for lith printing , Slavich as well for lith.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Posts
    2,084

    Re: Quality Papers

    All papers I've tried so far are of high quality, at least the fiber ones. In terms of surface texture, I find Ilford hard to beat, but for lith, I'm with Bob on the fomatone.

  5. #5
    Corran's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    North GA Mountains
    Posts
    8,924

    Re: Quality Papers

    Quote Originally Posted by bob carnie View Post
    If I told you Ilford matt fb paper was the best , many here would say I was crazy,
    I love matte paper!!
    Who would call that crazy??

    I love the standard Ilford Matte, but you've really gotta nail the print, contrast, and everything to make a truly stunning print. If you're off a little...it doesn't work. Glossy is certainly a bit easier to print, IMO.

    Ilford's Warmtone semimatte is also fantastic and my favorite as an in-between, easy to print but not super glossy. One has to keep watch on the highlights though.

    Ilford's ART 300 paper is gorgeous if you have the right image to match it...

    All of Ilford's papers are top-notch. The choice of which paper these days is not so much about quality but feel and personal opinion on the look of said papers.
    Bryan | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Portfolio
    All comments and thoughtful critique welcome

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Posts
    1,573

    Re: Quality Papers

    As others have already said, IMO most of the silver papers today are very good. The only one I didn't care for was the new Oriental stuff...not even close to the old Seagull! My absolute favorite, though, if I had to pick just one would be Ilford MGFB Warmtone.

  7. #7
    Dave Karp
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    2,960

    Re: Quality Papers

    I really like Adox MCC 110.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    1,009

    Re: Quality Papers

    Pretty much all of the FB/ rag based darkroom papers on the market today are first class. Thankfully we seem to be getting past the 'silver-rich' BS. Two particular favourites are Fomatone & Ilford's Art300.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    SF Bay Area
    Posts
    2,707

    Re: Quality Papers

    Quote Originally Posted by David Karp View Post
    I really like Adox MCC 110.
    This has been my favorite paper since 2010; beautiful blacks and clean whites. I also use Ilford Classic much of the time.

  10. #10
    Drew Wiley
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    SF Bay area, CA
    Posts
    18,337

    Re: Quality Papers

    Except for basic quality control, "Best" always has been and always will be a subjective issue. In fact, what is best for one image might not be best for the next, even when the same printmaker is involved. I've printed on four different papers using three different developers just this month. Every one of them can be called a premium quality paper; but even each of these has more than one personality, depending how it's handled. Who ever heard of an ice cream shop with only one flavor?

Similar Threads

  1. Highest Quality Silver Papers today
    By john dean in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 62
    Last Post: 19-Jan-2017, 03:34
  2. trying new papers
    By Don Wallace in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 14-Apr-2007, 16:56
  3. ULF papers?
    By Hugo Zhang in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 5-Sep-2006, 10:26
  4. Fiber based versus RC papers: Tonal quality differences
    By J. P. Mose in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 30-Jan-2002, 01:29

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •