Emaks Grade 2 printing as 4

[Silverpixels5]

Has anyone measured the ES of Emaks grade 2? I tested it in Ansco 130 1:2 and it gave me an ES of nearly 0.67 with an ISO range of R70, which is like a grade 4 paper. Has anyone else seen this? I ordered it from Freestyle, and after looking on their site just now the grade 2 in 11x14, 16x20, and 8x10 all say the range is 70 which is really odd. Looking at the 20x24 the range is stated as 110, which would be about right. Any idea whats going on here? Bad QC? :confused:

 

[Matthew Gorringe]

I haven't made any measurements but am using my 11x14" grade 2 as a slightly soft normal. I'm pretty sure what I'm using has come from the latest batch. I use it with Ansco 130, An120, Dektol and Liquidol for a range of effects. An130 is definitely the most contrasty of those developers with this paper but just gives a "normal" result.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Mine isn't from a very recent batch, but I'd agree with Matt--2 is maybe half a grade softer than normal for other papers in my experience.

 

[dancqu]

Has anyone measured the ES of Emaks grade 2?
Any idea whats going on here? Bad QC?

I'd say the copy department does not know what is going
into the package. IIRC Emaks Graded paper packaging
calls for Red only safelights. Works well and more
easily with my yellowish orange safe lighting.

I've tested for ES and found it to be closer to grade one
when developed in Ansco 120; a same formula Beer's 1.
With Beer's 7, most contrasty, the paper gained one
plus grade. Dan