Favorite paper for contact printing?

[John Wiegerink]

I thought I'd ask this question here on this forum since there always seems to be more action here. What is your favorite paper for contact printing and is it still available. My 8 X 10 camera is just about put back together, and I plan on contact printing some of its negatives. It doesn't seem like I can find any regular contact printing paper like AZO anywhere.

 

[koraks]

It doesn't seem like I can find any regular contact printing paper like AZO anywhere.

AFAIK the only stuff still being produced (sometimes) commercially is ADOX Lupex. I think only a single grade (and glossy) is available to begin with, and it seems to be available also in only a few formats. Not sure to what extent it is available from US retailers; you could always order overseas, but the cost will evidently be high.

 

[John Wiegerink]

AFAIK the only stuff still being produced (sometimes) commercially is ADOX Lupex. I think only a single grade (and glossy) is available to begin with, and it seems to be available also in only a few formats. Not sure to what extent it is available from US retailers; you could always order overseas, but the cost will evidently be high.

Thanks koraks,
Yes, Adox Lupex can be bought in the U.S., but not at the moment. It seems like it's never in stock at Freestyle Photo or B&H. Ordering and shipping from across the ocean is just a little too expensive. That's why I ask the question about a "favorite" paper for contact printing. What's the next best paper for contact printing next to a dedicated contact paper.

 

[Alan9940]

Adox Lupex and Lodima are my favorites, but I have a decent stash of both still in the freezer. I, also, like Ilford MGWT, but any normal enlarging paper can be used.

 

[GregY]

My favourite was Azo, and i have only a bit left. I'd suggest Foma 131 or Ilford Warmtone FB.... the little bit slower paper allow time for any dodging or burning.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Thanks, that's what I was a little worried about was paper speed mostly. I can adjust the light source somewhat, but still wanted a slower paper that gave good results. I have some Foma 131 down home I can try. I'll also pick up some Adox Lupex when and if it comes in stock again.

 

[GregY]

Thanks, that's what I was a little worried about was paper speed mostly. I can adjust the light source somewhat, but still wanted a slower paper that gave good results. I have some Foma 131 down home I can try. I'll also pick up some Adox Lupex when and if it comes in stock again.

Looks like there's some 50 sheet boxes in stock at Freestyle

Adox LUPEX Contact Paper - Natural Gloss (Baryta) 8x10/50

Silver chloride special 255gsm paper for contact copies of large format negatives. Replacement for Kodak Azo or Fomalux. Extremely fine-grained and high-resolution

www.freestylephoto.com

 

[retina_restoration]

I would also suggest Fomatone Classic.

 

[koraks]

What's the next best paper for contact printing next to a dedicated contact paper.

Gotcha; I third the suggestion of Fomatone MG. It's the slowest paper among the commonly available enlarging papers. It responds magnificently well to toning and is therefore very flexible.

. I can adjust the light source somewhat

If you're contact printing, there are many ways of reducing exposure. The simplest is just increasing distance and stopping down (lots). Since you don't have to worry about diffraction (no glass between the neg and the print, after all), you can stop down as far as she'll go.

 

[Maris]

For contact printing and projection printing I use Ilford Classic fibre base variable contrast paper. It offers the versatility and creative options of a modern variable contrast photographic paper with no practical downsides.
I've tried some so called contact printing papers in the past and my grumpy impression is that contact papers are only called such because they are useless for projection printing, only for heavy exposure contact work.
As for the unique image quality of contact papers it's not there, or it's too slight, or I'm too visually insensitive to print value nuances that others claim as important.

 

[GregY]

For contact printing and projection printing I use Ilford Classic fibre base variable contrast paper. It offers the versatility and creative options of a modern variable contrast photographic paper with no practical downsides.
I've tried some so called contact printing papers in the past and my grumpy impression is that contact papers are only called such because they are useless for projection printing, only for heavy exposure contact work.
As for the unique image quality of contact papers it's not there, or it's too slight, or I'm too visually insensitive to print value nuances that others claim as important.

Maris, I have to disagree with you. IMO and for my taste, there are few papers that match up to those no longer produced. I say that for enlarging papers as well as contact papers. There's a scarcity of choice. I've never been able to match the results i got on Azo for contact printing. I sure miss the tonalities of Guillemot (FR) produced Brilliant, Fortezo or Ilford Galerie. We just have to do the best with what is available to us.

 

[John Wiegerink]

For contact printing and projection printing I use Ilford Classic fibre base variable contrast paper. It offers the versatility and creative options of a modern variable contrast photographic paper with no practical downsides.
I've tried some so called contact printing papers in the past and my grumpy impression is that contact papers are only called such because they are useless for projection printing, only for heavy exposure contact work.
As for the unique image quality of contact papers it's not there, or it's too slight, or I'm too visually insensitive to print value nuances that others claim as important.

I have never made prints for display via contact printing. The only contact printing I have done is for proof sheets and that doesn't tell you much as to the quality of a print of larger size. All of my 8X10 negatives so far have been scanned only. I did do a few 8X10 contact back in college, but that was so long ago(1970's) I remember nothing about it. I am pretty sure that they were on Ilford Ilfobrom grade 3, but can't swear to it.

 

[Vaughn]

Outside the scope of your original question, but there are also the various alt processes that gives one quite a range of possibilities in papers, surfaces, gloss, unique looks, and all that. Quite the rabbit hole!

 

[GregY]

I have never made prints for display via contact printing. The only contact printing I have done is for proof sheets and that doesn't tell you much as to the quality of a print of larger size. All of my 8X10 negatives so far have been scanned only. I did do a few 8X10 contact back in college, but that was so long ago(1970's) I remember nothing about it. I am pretty sure that they were on Ilford Ilfobrom grade 3, but can't swear to it.

You can make stellar contact prints with what's available to you. I only had Azo in 8x10.. This one is from an enlarged 11x14" negative Bob Carnie made for me. On Oriental Seagull 16x20" FB in Ansco 130. Unless your negatives are pristine, be prepared for some spotting....

 

[loccdor]

That's beautiful!

 

[John Wiegerink]

You can make stellar contact prints with what's available to you. I only had Azo in 8x10.. This one is from an enlarged 11x14" negative Bob Carnie made for me. On Oriental Seagull 16x20" FB in Ansco 130. Unless your negatives are pristine, be prepared for some spotting....

View attachment 397257

That's a great print. I can only wish for something close to that. I loved Oriental Seagull in the light blue box. It was a nice easy paper to work with. As your photo shows, it delivered in spades too.