Anyone only use graded FB paper?

JoeyAnchors · Sep 7, 2015

Since I've done some contact printing using Ilfobrom Grade 2 paper and will be using Ilfobrom once the darkroom in setup (hopefully by the end of the year).

I was wondering if anyone else only prints on old style graded paper?

Sirius Glass · Sep 7, 2015

I have a few graded fiber papers in envelops but I just have not had a reason to use them.

piu58 · Sep 8, 2015

The paper that I mostly use for exhibition prints is Efke Emaks Grad. 3. It is possible to reduce the contrast slightly by flashing. I then reach around 2.5.

Slixtiesix · Sep 8, 2015

I use graded paper as well: Ilfobrom Galerie and Fomabrom.

gzinsel · Sep 8, 2015

I use to. I use to use emaks, ( they are gone) I do like Ilford Gallerie, I have not tried Slavic, or Fomabrom 2, or 3.

Peter Rockstroh01 · Sep 8, 2015

Unless the paper doesn't match my negative, I use Galerie. FB Grade 2 and 3. Outside that contrast range I use Multigrade FB

removed account4 · Sep 8, 2015

YES ( and no )

i wish i could say i ONLY use graded paper, but i can't.
i use azo grade 2 + 3 8x10 and 4x5 ( and smaller ) for contact printing and making photograms
and for 20 years i only used blue box seagul grade 3+4 ( 8x10 and 11x14 )
and i use foma ( galleria? ) golden box+sleeve 5x7-16x20 for contact prints and agfa grades 0-2 for paper negatives ..
also ... liquid emulsion that i think is a straight grade 3 ( old skool non VC liquid light )
for dry plates, prints and paper negatives/retina prints.
from time to time i break down and use vc but thats only cause i am trying to get rid of it ! ( have a bunch )
it isn't worth selling to someone ( all expired ) and not worth someone buying it and complaining .. even if they just pay shipping...
and i dont' want to toss it.

JoeyAnchors · Sep 8, 2015

Good to hear there are more people who enjoy using graded paper! I really believe in using old technics and find graded FB paper gives me the best results.

Im trying to build my darkroom around 1940s equipment and recently picked up a Federal 279 that should match well with the Graflex Century Graphics and Pan F Plus/FP-4 developed in Rodinal

darkosaric · Sep 8, 2015

I used Emaks grade 2 in 95% of time, but it is sadly gone. Switching to multigrade Foma and Ilford. It is just a matter of adjustment of your workflow, once when one is familiar with paper type - one is capable of achieving great results.

Ko.Fe. · Sep 8, 2015

I purchased very old FB 5x7 paper, because it is cheap now. Almost finished first 100. Some how it is much more easier to work with and more pleasing on results comparing to fresh VC, which is not so easy for me to print on. Once I'll finish 8x10 VC box, I'm planing to try Slavitch FB for this size, because old one seems to be availible only in 5x7 locally.

Paul Howell · Sep 8, 2015

I use RC to make working prints, then print on FB for final prints. I keep Foma grade 2 and 3 on hand, along with Ultra Fine grade 3, the only FB paper they carry, not sure who makes it, seems to have a different tone than Foma. In the past I also printed on Salvich 2, like the SW for mounting. In the near future I am going to order Oriental VC FB, and I may take a chance on ordering some Salvich and see how long it takes B&H to deliver. In my freezer I have Galleria grade 1, no longer in production, a box of Efke VC and a packet of Kodabromide grade 3. I don't often need grade 1 paper, the Efke and Kodabromide will come out this winter.

For a 1940 look you might to order some Salvich from B&H, it is very old fashion, I think it will have great 40s look.

JoeyAnchors · Sep 8, 2015

PDH said:
I use RC to make working prints, then print on FB for final prints. I keep Foma grade 2 and 3 on hand, along with Ultra Fine grade 3, the only FB paper they carry, not sure who makes it, seems to have a different tone than Foma. In the past I also printed on Salvich 2, like the SW for mounting. In the near future I am going to order Oriental VC FB, and I may take a chance on ordering some Salvich and see how long it takes B&H to deliver. In my freezer I have Galleria grade 1, no longer in production, a box of Efke VC and a packet of Kodabromide grade 3. I don't often need grade 1 paper, the Efke and Kodabromide will come out this winter.

For a 1940 look you might to order some Slavich from B&H, it is very old fashion, I think it will have great 40s look.

PDH - thank you for the paper info! I will be looking into some Slavich. That being said.. How long does paper keep if not used/exposed to light? I would like to start stocking up on has much graded FB as possible for years to come.

Paul Howell · Sep 8, 2015

JoeyAnchors said:
PDH - thank you for the paper info! I will be looking into some Slavich. That being said.. How long does paper keep if not used/exposed to light? I would like to start stocking up on has much graded FB as possible for years to come.

I have used enlarging paper from the 70s and 80s. Some papers hold up better than others, those with optical brighteners seem to fog more than those without. I bought a box of Kodak Polycontrast IV from a local camera store that closed, it had been in cold storage, it was only a few years past expire date but it was badly fogged. I have a lot of contact papers from the 50s and 60s that came with the Federal Stowaway I bought, I have not had time to test each box. I have Dupont, Ansco and Kodak, but in small sizes, 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 and 2 X 3. No 4X5. I did test the box of Dupont has some fog, still usable.

There a couple of folks who carry Slavich, B&H list all sizes, warm, cold tone, matt, glossy. Next couple of weeks I am going to order a few packages of 8X10 25 sheets to see what the turn around time will be.

MartinP · Sep 8, 2015

If you are contact-printing (as in contacting large-format negs for the final print, not strips of small or medium format negs), try to find some Fomalux and try that out. It is one of the very last silver-chloride papers.

JoeyAnchors · Sep 8, 2015

MartinP said:
If you are contact-printing (as in contacting large-format negs for the final print, not strips of small or medium format negs), try to find some Fomalux and try that out. It is one of the very last silver-chloride papers.

I was contact printing single frames of 2-1/4"x3-1/4", but will be switching over to enlarging after the Federal arrives.

DREW WILEY · Sep 8, 2015

Since VC papers have gotten so good, and graded papers scarce, I've had to adapt and now consider VC the norm for me. My stash of EMaks
will obviously run out, and that leaves me with just Ilfobrom Galerie, which seems to be the last premium graded paper available. I'm hoping
to print quite a bit of it this winter. No time right now.

Paul Howell · Sep 8, 2015

DREW WILEY said:
Since VC papers have gotten so good, and graded papers scarce, I've had to adapt and now consider VC the norm for me. My stash of EMaks
will obviously run out, and that leaves me with just Ilfobrom Galerie, which seems to be the last premium graded paper available. I'm hoping
to print quite a bit of it this winter. No time right now.

Oriental markets graded double weight, anyone used new versions of Oriental? If you have not tired Salvich you might want to give it a go, the double wt grade 2 is quite nice, Slavich only makes graded paper, looks to me a lot like Agfa Broviera (sp?) from the 60s and 70s. I don't do a lot of toning, so not so sure how well Slavich tones.

DREW WILEY · Sep 8, 2015

I don't think Oriental has actually made any graded papers for awhile, though a few odd packages might be for sale here or there. In any event, the reincarnation of Seagull was rather anemic and disappointing compared to the original Seagull G bromide paper; and the grade 4 redo was an outright bellyflop. They duplicated the image color pretty good, but the DMax lacked the same punch, and it didn't work as well for certain dev tweaks where the old stuff excelled. Allegedly, being required to remove cadmium from the emulsion formula was the restriction, just like is was for Portriga. I stumbled onto an ancient unopened package of Brovira the other day cleaning the shelves. Probably spoiled long ago. I also have a few 20x24 sheets of original Grade 3 Seagull G left over from something. 50/50 odds it's still usable.

Nokton48 · Sep 8, 2015

I prefer Kodak Ektalure and I stocked up on it as it was being discontinued.

Paul Howell · Sep 8, 2015

DREW WILEY said:
I don't think Oriental has actually made any graded papers for awhile, though a few odd packages might be for sale here or there. In any event, the reincarnation of Seagull was rather anemic and disappointing compared to the original Seagull G bromide paper; and the grade 4 redo was an outright bellyflop. They duplicated the image color pretty good, but the DMax lacked the same punch, and it didn't work as well for certain dev tweaks where the old stuff excelled. Allegedly, being required to remove cadmium from the emulsion formula was the restriction, just like is was for Portriga. I stumbled onto an ancient unopened package of Brovira the other day cleaning the shelves. Probably spoiled long ago. I also have a few 20x24 sheets of original Grade 3 Seagull G left over from something. 50/50 odds it's still usable.

B&H carries grade 2, 3, and 4, but limited sizes and only in RC. I like Foma, but looks like I need to just order Salvich and see how long it takes to arrive.

gzinsel · Sep 8, 2015

since the demise of emaks, I am going to order fomabrom( special -2) and their ( 3- which i think they call "hard") I will see how that goes> Im not too terribly interested in Slavich, due to the fact that Macodirect does not carry the 100 pack of 8x10 or something equiv. . . .

JoeyAnchors · Sep 8, 2015

What I really like about Ilfobrom Gallery FB paper is the white base and it gives very rich blacks with great mid tones. I'm not really into warm tone papers.

Paul Howell · Sep 9, 2015

JoeyAnchors said:
What I really like about Ilfobrom Gallery FB paper is the white base and it gives very rich blacks with great mid tones. I'm not really into warm tone papers.

Agreed, Slavich is cool tone, Salvich also offers warm tone which I think is very warm.

Mainecoonmaniac · Sep 9, 2015

I admire photographers that use graded paper. I worked for a photographer that believes that VC paper is for those photographers that don't have their film processing down. He believes that photographers should "build" their negatives to fit the graded paper. I find VC paper so much easier to use. I just discovered split grade printing and it's given me more control over shadows and highlights in prints. With such versatility of VC paper, I can't find an overwhelming reason to print on graded paper.

Sirius Glass · Sep 9, 2015

With a color head VC papers not only give me infinite control but also allow split grade printing.

Anyone only use graded FB paper?

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