Closest Match to Galerie in VC

cbphoto · Nov 9, 2015

I print a lot with Galerie, but occasionally need a contrast outside of the grade 2 or 3. Which current VC paper has the closest look to Galerie? Looking for that special magic factor. I tried a little bit of the new Ilford Cooltone, and it looked nice, but I didn't use enough of it to be sure. I have not tried the Classic yet, nor have I ventured into Adox. Anyone else solve this problem?

RobC · Nov 9, 2015

http://stores.photoformulary.com/dr-beers-paper-developer/

cbphoto · Nov 9, 2015

Thanks, Rob. I knew that would come up . I'd rather avoid mixing chemistry in the middle of a printing session. I have quite a volume to get through, so some things must remain constant for efficiency.

I use LPD now, as it looks nice and seems to last forever.

RobC · Nov 9, 2015

You're just going to have to try a few papers but Ilfford MGIV is closish. Having said that, I haven't tried the new classic version yet.

cbphoto · Nov 9, 2015

I've been reading about the Adox MCC a bit, and it sounds pretty amazing. I will definitely have to try some of that as well.

I see that it is available in matte (MCC112). Has anyone tried that, and how were the blacks? Also, is there any texture to it that interferes with getting a clean scan?

RobC · Nov 9, 2015

Glossy resin coated is optimal for print scanning. Any matte/pearl surface diffuses light which reduces contrast AND softens scan.

All papers give good blacks with the right neg and print development. But matt and pearl less so than glossy due to diffusing nature of the print surface.

cbphoto · Nov 9, 2015

I've been scanning glossy fiber, but the amount of barely visible micro-dust that sticks to the emulsion is insane. I thought the smoother matte might make it easier to dust off before scanning, but I definitely don't want to lose sharpness.

RobC · Nov 9, 2015

dust is a darkroom/process room management problem. Fix it and then scans won't contain dust. But for print reproduction you'll get best results from RC Glossy.

Having said that, If you scan prints at say 1200dpi you get a massive file. If you then downsize that to half the pixel width with minimal bicubic sharpening (50% 0.7px) and resampling on, then it will remove vast majority of micro dust from image and still leave you with a plenty big enough high quality file for repro.

cbphoto · Nov 9, 2015

That's a good idea! I'll try that next time I scan.

RobC · Nov 9, 2015

You can of course just use bicubic downsize without sharpening and apply sharpening as required later.

DREW WILEY · Nov 9, 2015

Classic is too warm, and Coldtone is a fine product, but still dissimilar to Galerie. The now discontinued Kentmere Fineprint came closer if you
used the right developer and toner.

jeffreyg · Nov 9, 2015

I haven't printed on graded papers for a long time but I do use Ilford MGIV FB Classic with Dektol and find it very pleasing and not cold in my hands. I usually print on 11x14 or 16x20 so scanning prints is out for me. I'm using the Aristo 4500VCL head. I do scan negatives 2 1/4 and 4x5) so the file size is controllable as well as digital prints if desired. For me that is the best of both worlds. A hard copy negative, silver prints, pt/pd prints, digital files and prints along with the ability to correct those negatives too difficult to manipulate in the darkroom.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

cbphoto · Nov 9, 2015

DREW WILEY said:
Classic is too warm, and Coldtone is a fine product, but still dissimilar to Galerie. The now discontinued Kentmere Fineprint came closer if you
used the right developer and toner.

I think the cooltone is worth another try. I'm going to grab a pack along with some of the Adox MCC everyone raves about.

cbphoto · Nov 9, 2015

jeffreyg said:
I haven't printed on graded papers for a long time but I do use Ilford MGIV FB Classic with Dektol and find it very pleasing and not cold in my hands. I usually print on 11x14 or 16x20 so scanning prints is out for me. I'm using the Aristo 4500VCL head. I do scan negatives 2 1/4 and 4x5) so the file size is controllable as well as digital prints if desired. For me that is the best of both worlds. A hard copy negative, silver prints, pt/pd prints, digital files and prints along with the ability to correct those negatives too difficult to manipulate in the darkroom.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

You can scan 11x14, but the scanner price jumps up a bit . I scanned negatives for about a decade on Nikons and Imacons, but I discovered that going back to the darkroom to print was the most direct route to the images I wanted. The paper imparts so much character that my scans were missing, and "discovering" that perfect tonality in Photoshop is much harder for me than in the darkroom. It's possible I just suck at Photoshop, though.

K-G · Nov 9, 2015

cbphoto said:
I think the cooltone is worth another try. I'm going to grab a pack along with some of the Adox MCC everyone raves about.

Adox MCC is a wonderful paper that won't make you disappointed. Cooltone and MG Classic may give you a slightly higher contrast with the highest filter but MCC is still fabulous. I use to work with Galerie if the negative doesn't need highest or lowest contrast setting , MCC 110 as standard MC paper and Berger CB when I want that litle extra warmth.
Good luck !

Karl-Gustaf

DREW WILEY · Nov 9, 2015

MCC is a rich responsive paper, but it has a distinct purple-sepia flavor, and I've never been able to get a true cold tone with it like I can with
Galerie in an appropriate developer. So yes and no. It all depends on how you feel about final image color and not just tonality.

cbphoto · Nov 9, 2015

DREW WILEY said:
MCC is a rich responsive paper, but it has a distinct purple-sepia flavor, and I've never been able to get a true cold tone with it like I can with
Galerie in an appropriate developer. So yes and no. It all depends on how you feel about final image color and not just tonality.

Hmm... that's interesting. I'd be happy with a neutral tone, but I'm not a big fan of warmth. Have you tried straight LPD?

cbphoto · Nov 9, 2015

K-G said:
Adox MCC is a wonderful paper that won't make you disappointed. Cooltone and MG Classic may give you a slightly higher contrast with the highest filter but MCC is still fabulous. I use to work with Galerie if the negative doesn't need highest or lowest contrast setting , MCC 110 as standard MC paper and Berger CB when I want that litle extra warmth.
Good luck !

Karl-Gustaf

I ordered a 25 pack of MCC from Freestyle just now. Wish I wasn't on the opposite coast! Are you able to get a neutral tone from it?

Closest Match to Galerie in VC

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