EDU.Ultra Pearl vs. Semi-matte

[BetterSense]

I need some paper but my usual EDU.Ultra glossy is out of stock at freestyle. I actually prize the gloss finish of this paper--I like how it's smooth (good for contact printing/masking/scanning, high perceived resolution) but it's not wet-glossy looking, and thus glare-prone, like Illford glossy.

So it looks like I'm trying some Pearl or Semi-Matte this time. Since these names/descriptions are far from obvious to me, can someone describe them? Which one would you say is closest to glossy?

 

[dpurdy]

I called in to Freestyle today to order paper and the gal talked me into trying Arista Premium. Have you tried that?
Dennis

 

[BetterSense]

There is no Arista Premium paper. Where you thinking of Arista Private Reserve? They are sold out of that in glossy too.

 

[naugastyle]

EDU Ultra is supposed to be Fomaspeed Variant III, although I haven't cracked open my box yet to compare. Foma doesn't describe finishes the same way, so I've been assuming that Pearl = Foma's Velvet and Semi-Matte = Foma's Matte. And I love Foma's Matte. Very similar to Ilford's Satin finish, if that helps you visualize.

 

[dpurdy]

There is no Arista Premium paper. Where you thinking of Arista Private Reserve? They are sold out of that in glossy too.

Right, I meant private reserve.
Dennis

 

[Andrew T]

I love the surface of the pearl, and if the glossy look is what you like, it's a lot glossier than the semi-matte.. I have some of the FB EDU.Ultra in semi-matte and I can't say I love it. Pretty weak blacks, prints tend to look flat..

 

[fschifano]

That's pretty much what you can expect from any semi-matte paper. The apparently weak black look is a result of the reflective qualities of the paper's surface, not an inherent weakness of the paper's Dmax. I like it for formal portraits, and not much else; but in that application it looks really nice.

 

[Andrew T]

That's pretty much what you can expect from any semi-matte paper. The apparently weak black look is a result of the reflective qualities of the paper's surface, not an inherent weakness of the paper's Dmax. I like it for formal portraits, and not much else; but in that application it looks really nice.

True, I wasn't printing portraits with it and was disappointed but I can see it working well for that application.