Comparison of modern papers

apochromatic · May 27, 2009

apochromatic submitted a new resource:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists) - Comparison of modern papers

I have been frustrated by the incomplete information of currently available BW papers and have decided to do something about it!
I have tested a limited range of papers with step wedge contact prints, then treated each in identical toners. The webpages feature an interesting pop-up for these results plus a comprehensive reference on paper components drawn from each manufacturers' website. I hope to add to the selection but will rely on the manufacturers to supply the paper, as I think I...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

rternbach · May 27, 2009

Sorry if I'm flaunting my ignorance but I don't do my own wet darkroom printing; I'm wondering if any of the papers you have tested are considered variable contrast and if so what you think of them.

Mike Crawford · May 28, 2009

Nice one Alistair.
I've really been getting into Adox Fine Print Vario Classic recently and have been testing it against Ilford MG. Your tests confirm what I've found that with the shadows just a little bit more information can be found, though overall it has a more limited range of grades.
Have you thought of adding a test for just selenium?
Keep up the good work
Mike

Don Wallace · May 28, 2009

Alistair, I returned to the darkroom only relatively recently and your site is extremely helpful and interesting. Thanks a lot for taking the time to do it and share it with us.

But of course, we are never satisfied. Like Mike, I would like to see a test with just selenium.

Mick Fagan · May 28, 2009

Very interesting, many thanks.

I too looked for just Selenium on it's own, I'll live though

Mick.

fotch · May 28, 2009

Great work Alistair!

apochromatic · May 29, 2009

Many thanks for the feedback and the 'just selenium' test is certainly worth while. I will have another run of tests when I can get hold of some more papers.
There has to be a certain amount of compromise in making comparative tests, no matter how accurately they are made. I feel I have let down the Bergger paper because the developer didn't suit it and so the results makes a superb paper look a bit washed out.
'rternbach': Have a look at the chart page which lists the properties of all the papers tested and if they are variable contrast. Yes I love variable contrast paper but to make a full reply would take up more space than this page would allow! We all regret the demise of some of the old classic fixed grade papers but we have to move on and use what is now available.

Tom Kershaw · May 29, 2009

Alistair,

Have you tried the Bergger 'NB' paper?

Tom.

gattu marrudu · Mar 3, 2010

Have you thought about using PNG or high quality JPG (95% or higher compression) images for the strips? They would be much sloer loading, but if precision and comparison of the slightest nuances is the goal, it would be worth the wait...
gm

Shadowtracker · Apr 17, 2010

Alastair,

Thank you for all the work you have done on this. I have some of the older papers only because a guy here had a bunch frozen and sold it to me cheap. I have found with some of it, but not all of it, if I add a small amount of Potassium Iodide (KI) to the developer, the 'slower' paper from age prints just fine. I have not tested all of them with toning but will be working on that. I really appreciate what you have come up with.

sunshine · Oct 17, 2015

Hi - I'm new to this site. I have recently returned to using my old medium format camera. I stopped processing my own prints when Forte discontinued paper production. I used Polywarmtone FB semi-matt for years and could never find anything that compared to it. I am beginning a new project that I will be shooting 120 film and want to do the printing myself. Can anyone suggest a good FB VC paper that might be comparable to Forte? Thanks.

swittmann · Oct 18, 2015

sunshine, welcome to apug I also miss Polywarmtone tremendously and have not found anything similar. However, from the currently available papers, I find Ilford MGW to be outstanding in quality, beauty and batch-to-batch consistency and I also use and like Foma 132 a lot. The Foma has quite a unique look imho; it may not suit each and every image, but if it matches the image, it can be just wonderful. It also liths beautifully, if this is of interest for you. Both papers fall into the warm tone category.

Adox MCC 110 glossy/112 matte is also very nice and of great quality, but it has a brighter base and is less warm than the two mentioned above, more like neutral to slightly warm. Fomabrom 111/112 Var. III falls into the same category and is also nice. I like it a lot for second-pass lith printing, too.

These would be my suggestions; with MGW being the #1 choice. Polywarmtone is/was unique. I still have some left, reserved for the absolute favorite images/negatives only. Adox is trying to revive this paper; you can read about their progress here at the apug sponsors' sub forum.

Hope this helps. I'm looking forward to hearing the other members' suggestions, too.

Peter Schrager · Oct 18, 2015

Foma 132...simply beautiful

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Comparison of modern papers

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency