Bergger photo paper

[Dan Dozer]

So - I'm sure that I'm behind the information train on this. What's the story with them? None of the dealers have any of the warm tone FB paper available anymore and some say they don't know when any new stock will be coming in (if at all). I've heard rumors that Ilford now owns Bergger. Is Bergger photo paper now a thing of the past?

 

[mike c]

Did you check Calumat.There was another place I saw it listed but don'nt know if it is backorderd.Adarama maybe?

 

[Aurelien]

No it's not past. But Bergger USA is now being remodelled. The best way to get information is to write to the contact adress on their website. Mr Gerard, the owner, will answer to you. As he always did with me.

 

[letchhausen]

I sent an email to them weeks ago asking about the availability of their VC fiber papers. I haven't heard back. All web stores that I've checked are out of Bergger and B&H shows it as unavailable. Adorama has some 16x20 that has a jacked up price. Bergger doesn't even show most of it on their web site at this point, only the digital papers. I've heard there is some transition to the Ilford factory for coating after the move to Kentmere after Forte went under. I haven't seen anything substantiating this line but I guess this is the time to start trying out that Adox MC111 that everyone is talking about. I need to print NOW and since I can't get any information from Bergger directly I'll have to move on. I hope it's not the end because it was my favorite paper.

 

[mike c]

I was just starting to use Bergger it been around awhile wished I could of bought more. I was all so going to try Adox Paper but haven't as yet.

 

[Aurelien]

Bergger papers are not discontinued. They are npt available in shops, but I don't know why. But you can buy it online here fur U.S Dead Link Removed

 

[Rick A]

I just checked the Freestyle site, and they show it as in stock at their retail stores. They show a decent assortment.

Rick

 

[Aurelien]

What do they call the retail store?

 

[Rick A]

What do they call the retail store?

You can phone them or order on line, and they will ship from the retail store.

Rick

 

[Richard Jepsen]

The link Dead Link Removed does not list WT fiber paper. I just checked online with Freestyle and searched for Bergger. I found 5 products in large sizes which makes me think its old stock. Bergger contracted with Forte and more recently Ilford to manufacture their paper. That said the paper was different than Ilford's WT fiber. Hopefully the emulsion will continue to be made as it had some of the properties of Forte Polywarmtone Plus.

 

[letchhausen]

I'm looking for Bergger Neutral Glossy fiber which is not available on the Bergger site and online is only available in larger sizes at Freestyle. B&H is completely out and shows it as "temporarily unavailable". Adorama has raised the price on the last of their 16x20 which looks like they're capitalizing on what they have left. Whether this is a temporary situation or not is hard to say. Bergger doesn't say anything on their site and I've contacted them through their web site and haven't heard back. I've heard rumours from retail about contract negotiations with Ilford but nothing solid. I'll be ordering some Adox MC111 to try out from Freestyle next week for sure.

I'm not sure whether to buy more Bergger until I know the future of the paper. If it's going to be discontinued then I may as well get on with trying to figure out what I'm going to be using from here on out. So just because there's a few packages left on the web doesn't really solve my dilemma. I don't find Oriental has the blacks I like without being toned. Ilford doesn't really work for me either. Bergger did everything that I wanted......we'll see what Adox brings to the table....

 

[Ronald Moravec]

I agree. Move on until this get sorted.

I tried to buy 35mm film and wrote because none was available. It is discontinued, but they offered to sell me what is left. I declined. Move on.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

I also agree about moving on. I've lost 4 favorite papers. Now I'm migrating towards EMAKS and exploring Galerie. Ilford FB WT has always been nice. Graded papers need close negative matching to the paper contrast curve. I like to print new negatives anyway. The three papers mentioned are high quality papers. Just slightly different from each other. We still have good materials.

 

[Bergger USA]

Thanks for your interest in Bergger Products.

Like many companies dealing with traditional products, Bergger has had it's share of issues in today's economy. We've suffered through what we call "The Perfect Storm". Declines in the interest of traditional products, economic pressures and the value of the US dollars has been near fatal.

This has been further complicated by the fact that most retailers aren't stocking products at any depth and using our warehouse as their warehouse. This created a decrease in volume that is hard to adjust to when sized for a particular market.

I've enjoyed watching some of the rumor created, as it seem there are those that know more about our business than we do. I thought it was a good idea to set the stories straight and give everyone an up to the minute report.

Bergger plans to continue to provide traditional and digital products to the US and world market. The US subsidary is changing it's business model and will begin to offer our traditional papers via our e-commerce site in the next few months. Any major announcements will be made via our website.

We will minimize our dealer network to include only those who are stocking to our terms and conditions.

We appreciate everyone's support throughout the years and look forward to a promising future.

If you have specific questions, please contact me offline.

Best,

John Horowy
Bergger Products

 

[mike c]

John Horowy,thanks for the briefing on Bergger,how do we contact you,sure like to get some more VCCB warm tone 11x14.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

Hopefully availability will improve and VCCB WT emulsion remain unchanged. I'm thankful to those who are committed to marketing quality products like Bergger papers.

 

[jbridges]

Thanks for the posting Mr. Horowy, I am a big fan of the paper and will wait patiently for it to hit the shelves or e-shelves. Long live VCCM!

jb

 

[letchhausen]

Thanks for posting. I'll be buying directly from you when you're ready. My local store constantly runs out and it's stressful when you're in school and need to print your final. I'm just glad that the paper isn't going away. Whew!!!

 

[jfish]

John always knows the answers!

Thanks John for the update.

Alexis

 

[df cardwell]

Thanks for the note John. If Bergger becomes available to us, we'll buy it.

 

[jeroldharter]

Bergger warm tone is a very nice paper. I did a one day workshop with Per Volquartz who was using it. It wasn't overly warm, but a nice brown-black.

 

[letchhausen]

I just talked to Bergger today, they are nearing relaunch of their traditioal fiber papers. I'm looking forward to getting some VCNB again. I've been printing with Adox MCC110 and while I do like it, I like the blacks of Bergger better. Luckily I'm taking a color class this semester so I can wait it out without feeling too stressed.

 

[mike c]

That would be nice if Bergger got into production again,and do like the warm tones.

 

[sepiareverb]

I got this email on 3/20/10 after specifically asking about the fiber papers:

Thanks for your interest in Bergger Products.

Our line of traditional darkroom papers are in transit and will be available via B&H Photo in New York and also our new e-commerce site within the nest 2-3 weeks.

Best Regards,

John Horowy
Bergger Products, Inc.

 

[mike c]

Be nice if Freestyle would stock them again.