Entirely Flat Fibre Base : ILFORD Photo :

[Aggie]

some people spend more time than that answering internal e.mails or going to lunch, I do do the former, rarely the latter...and most important of all.. I really enjoy it....and I have learnt a lot

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited

The Simon, when we finally meet, I'll take you to lunch so you don't miss out.

 

[Simon R Galley]

Dear Aggie,

It would be a pleasure...

Simon

 

[PeterB]

Dear Marcus,
.....I have has a look at your site...excellent work
Simon ILFORD photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Hi Marcus,

I also appreciate the photos on your site. I love the dark skies you achieve.

Unfortunately I don't read German, and even using Google's translation option I wasn't able to find out more about the materials that you use. I know you speak about the papers a bit in this thread, but could you perhaps share with us more about your choice of film, chemistry and any camera filters you use?

regards
Peter

 

[MarcusK]

Hello Peter..

...sorry, I didnot lock into this thread for a pretty long time.

Dark skies:

- I do use a dark red filter on the camera for real dark skies.

- If there are clouds, I do it in the darkroom: Normaly two times light on the sky during enlargment. (One time for main subject).

- Hot water is also usefull, but it works only with serveral papers. (Ilford Multigrade fiber BUT not PC.)

- Normaly I shoot on FP4 or Fuji Neopan 1600.

- If You need more information, sent me a mail. BUT BE SURE TO ADD A GOOD SUBJECTLINE. I receive up to 100 spams a day - most of them in English. (SO I am quiet quick in deleting the English one).

All the best


Marcus

 

[MarcusK]

Hello Peter again...


my email is kaufhold@taunus.de


sorry!

 

[lightranger]

Dear Aggie,

It would be a pleasure...

Simon

Simon,
I hope all you say is true. I wish Ilford paper would tone better. That has been one of the major draw backs with using Ilford papers. I dream of a good cold tone, full contrast range, heavy paper stock, fiber base paper that tones really well. Maybe my dream will come true. Thanks, Simon, John

 

[hywel]

I like curly paper. It's given me a good excuse to purchase a rather nice collection of large photobooks under which to flatten it.
Hywel

 

[lightranger]

Dear All,

I notice in a couple of threads people discussing the floopyness and more significantly the curl characteristics of Fibre ( baryta ) papers.

Just to let APUG members know, we have developed a new manufacturing technique that keeps FB papers entirely flat during manufacture and finishing, it also seems to encourage the paper to REMAIN very, very flat after the processing and drying process.

We believe this will significantly ease handling, movement during exposure, borderless printing, processing and more importantly the drying and mounting process, we are currently testing initial coatings using the new technique, we are pretty sure using the new technique does not change any of the sensitometric or other characteristics of the coated papers, but I am sure
you will understand we need to complete this work before moving to the new manufacturing process for our Fibre Base paper ranges.

Before you ask, my guess is we will change to the new process in early in 2007.

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Simon,
Will this new paper have better toning characteristics than your existing papers. I selenium tone all my prints at about 20:1 dilution to create a slight color shift to a blue cold tone. I would like to switch to your product, but the lack of toning response is a real draw back for us who like to selenium tone our prints this way. I think Ilford would have a greater following if their papers toned better. Keep us informed to the changes we can expect in the future. As traditional darkroom photographers we are searching for product we can put our loyalty with. I hope Ilford can be that company.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Hi John (lightranger)

I selenium tone Multigrade IV FB with KRST @ 1:10 for about three minutes. I found that 1:9 was too rich, in that the darker print values 'eggplanted' (went purple-ish) too fast, which I don't care for. Maybe you should try a richer toning solution?

Murray

 

[lightranger]

Murray,
I have always used Kodak selenium toner. I haven't heard of KRST toners before, but maybe I will look for it. I will try toning Ilford @ 1:10. that is the dilution I had to use with Kodak Fine Art papers. With Forte I use 1:30 because it really tones well. That has been my paper of choice lately, but it appears that will change again. So I guess it's time to give Ilford a closer look. Thanks for the recommendation. John

 

[wilsonneal]

I think KRST is Kodak Rapid Selenium Toner. It took me a bit to decipher as well.
Neal

 

[lightranger]

Thanks Neal,
I haven't gotten use to speaking in the alphabet yet. I know it's a common language since the computer age. I should have relized. Thanks for the enlightenment. John

 

[ijsbeer]

Superb, can't wait to see it

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I think KRST is Kodak Rapid Selenium Toner. It took me a bit to decipher as well.
Neal

You nailed it.

SAT-IALTFPT (Sorry About That - I'm A Lazy Two Fingered Pecker Typist)

Murray

 

[Neil Poulsen]

Nice one Simon! Long live Ilford!!

I concur!

Anything that will help keep Ilford prosperous, whether from us or from Ilford.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

Ilford papers are excellent. Some of the best prints I have seen were made from 6x7 negs enlarged on multigrade fiber. Providing fiber paper which drys flat will be a money maker for Ilford. I hope Ilford continues it's commitment to hear the voice of the customer and practice continuous product improvement.

 

[Tom Stanworth]

This is great news....must have been one of those moments in a Gary Larson sketch. Man in white lab coat......

 

[joshverd]

Well that sounds brilliant! I'd expect nothing less from Ilford!

 

[MurrayMinchin]

Dear All,

I notice in a couple of threads people discussing the floopyness and more significantly the curl characteristics of Fibre ( baryta ) papers.

Just to let APUG members know, we have developed a new manufacturing technique that keeps FB papers entirely flat during manufacture and finishing, it also seems to encourage the paper to REMAIN very, very flat after the processing and drying process.

We believe this will significantly ease handling, movement during exposure, borderless printing, processing and more importantly the drying and mounting process, we are currently testing initial coatings using the new technique, we are pretty sure using the new technique does not change any of the sensitometric or other characteristics of the coated papers, but I am sure
you will understand we need to complete this work before moving to the new manufacturing process for our Fibre Base paper ranges.

Before you ask, my guess is we will change to the new process in early in 2007.

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

(I put that last bit in bold type)

So...anybody have an idea when this paper might hit the marketplace?

Murray

 

[Marco S.]

I'd like to know too. The curl is the only thing that keeps me from using fiber.

Regards,
Marco S.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

Simon,

I'm very happy Ilford listens to the voice of the customer. I try to support Ilford as much as possible. Before I get too excited, the emulsion remains critical. Since you are testing emulsions for the new support, let me suggest a warmish paper with increased contrast in the lower tone register vs the current contrast curve of Multigrade IV papers. Your new product would appeal to former Agfa/ Forte users as negatives tuned for Agfa/Forte Polywarmtone Plus papers don't fit Multigrade IV's curve.

 

[Adrian Twiss]

Paper curl when drying was my biggest bugbear with using FB papers. If this works I will be delighted to start using fibre again.

 

[Robert Hallock]

My most recent box of Ilford FB MG IV glossy 11x14 is different from all those I have used previously. It gently wet-curls in the opposite direction (90 degrees different) from all previous boxes in the last five years, and it seems to have a somewhat different wet-drape and dry flatter with less tendency to curl. Box number was 25D770X54. Anybody else see a recent difference? Is this their new paper base at work? Anyone with similar experience?

 

[Robert Hallock]

Folks: I contacted ILFORD directly and was told by the technical devision that there has not been a change in the paper base. I was told that it might be related to a difference in the direction of the cut of the paper from the roll, which can be random at times. ILFORD was very fast with several responses, which I very much appreciate. I have used their paper for more than ten years and will continue to do so. In my opinion it is great stuff and I hope it stays that way. We need such a high quality manufacturer to stay healthy and each do our part to be sure that happens. Bob

 

[Richard Jepsen]

Fotokemika Varycon and Foma MG Classic have a similar paper base in regards to drying flat. They dry somewhat flat similar to Agfa 111. Hope Ilford can tweak their paper base.