Agfa - vs - Ilford FB paper

Eric Rose · May 1, 2005

Just got some Agfa FB paper to test. I'm very impressed! Compared some prints of the identical neg I just did for a show using Ilford paper. The Afga paper had better tonal range, a nicer tone to the paper after selenium toning, and seemed sharper. I picked one of the most challenging negs I had to make it a good test.

Mind you this is just using my usual split grade printing procedures and developer.

So far the results are very encouraging.

I have long since given up on Forte cold tone, just don't like the stuff. At least for my kind of photos. The Forte warm tone is nice however, but I think the Agfa FB might just edge it out. Time will tell.

jmdavis · May 1, 2005

Eric,

I have wound up prefering Agfa in both FB and RC. I like the glossy much better than the MGIV or Ilford Fibre.

The Agfa Glossy can be very arresting when presented with Ilford Glossy prints.

Claire Senft · May 1, 2005

My own belief is that Agfa, Ilford, Kodak, Forte etc are all fine papers. I also believe that due to negative differences one might very much prefer how a negative prints on Agfa vs another paper. I think that one is kidding themselves to believe that one of these papers is innately superior to all others.

However, it is your money and your photos, use whatever you like.

jmdavis · May 1, 2005

Claire,

Like film, paper has the ability to exhibit different characteristics. Aside from the whole warm/cold, glossy/matte, or FB/RC things, paper can react differently. I believe that when I started using Agfa a little over a year ago, it seemed 1/2 a stop faster for instance. But it was also much cheaper. Since I liked my photos on it and others liked them as well. The issue was decided.

photomc · May 1, 2005

For some of my own negatives, I also was surprised when I tried Agfa..it gave them an extra snap that did not get with Ilford MGIV...but then others printed better with Ilford..go figure. Did not have any luck with Berger, and results were not that different with Seagull so it is pretty much Agfa and Ilford in the darkroom right now. However, do like the warm tone of Forte, but with some of the recent availablity problems gave up on it for now...still think it is a nice paper. Only comment about Agfa, is watch it in KRST, it will turn eggplant purple after some time....I had a couple do that, and just toned them in Viradon which worked out quite well.

jmdavis · May 1, 2005

Viradon? Now you go and bring up something new and I've got to go find Rudman's Toning book (not always easy in my house).

Peter Schrager · May 2, 2005

Another Kudo for Agfa

The Agfa paper works really well with homemade polytoner; another one of it's advantages. Worth checking out!
Regards, Peter

photomc · May 2, 2005

jmdavis said:
Viradon? Now you go and bring up something new and I've got to go find Rudman's Toning book (not always easy in my house).

Sorry - it's just Agfa's version of Brown toner - I like because it is a direct toner (does not require a bleach step first)...plus I like the tones it gives. NOTE: I do take it outside, because it do have a smell about it.

Agfa - vs - Ilford FB paper

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