Adorama Paper

[Flotsam]

Last night I had to switch in mid-session from Ilford MGIV RC to a box of Adorama Variable Contrast RC. I immediately liked the Adorama. It has a thinner base, crisp tones even with lower contrast filters and I preferred the way it handled the same negatives. I don't know who manufactures it but it is nice to find something that you actually prefer while cutting your cost by 1/3rd.

 

[jim appleyard]

I use this stuff all the time. You can't argue with the price! Is it the best paper in the world? Dunno, haven't tried them all yet, but as we all know, each paper has its own flavor.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

Last night I had to switch in mid-session from Ilford MGIV RC to a box of Adorama Variable Contrast RC. I immediately liked the Adorama. It has a thinner base, crisp tones even with lower contrast filters and I preferred the way it handled the same negatives. I don't know who manufactures it but it is nice to find something that you actually prefer while cutting your cost by 1/3rd.

Neal,
I learned from the Pure-Silver list that it is made by Ilford. Many people have found little difference between Adorama and Ilford but great differences between Adorama and the others.

 

[Flotsam]

Neal,
I learned from the Pure-Silver list that it is made by Ilford. Many people have found little difference between Adorama and Ilford but great differences between Adorama and the others.

It may be made by Ilford but you can tell the difference as soon as you grab a sheet. It is thinner and I immediately noticed that the back of the paper wasn't quite as smooth. I can shuffle through the finished prints with my eyes closed and easily seperate the two papers I didn't notice a big change in speed but there seemed to be a slight but noticable difference in the contrast.

I hope it is. I'd like to think that I am supporting Ilford.

 

[mikeg]

Is it about a stop faster than MGIV?

If so, it may be Kentmere VC Select. That is thinner than MGIV and has the other features that you describe.

Mike

 

[psvensson]

Yes, it's a stop faster the MGIV, and the contrast is about a grade different, but I forget which way. The undeveloped emulsion has a different color too. But the results are very similar to MGIV.

 

[mikeg]

It does sound like Kentmere RC. I like it too and use it for contacts, work prints etc. One final test -- if you've still got the information leaflet that came in the box it should say what colour filters to use if you have a colour head. My Kentmere paper lists the Kodak values for grade 2 to be 35Y + 50M whereas Ilford is quite different at 41Y + 32M. That may explain the contrast difference if you're using the Ilford values or gel filters.

Mike