Fibre Paper Choice dilemma: Help needed!

Stoo Batchelor · Jan 14, 2006

Hi Everyone!

Your help is needed in my choice of fibre paper. I've recently made the move from my Ilford Warmtone R.C to Ilford Warmtone fibre semi-matt, and the normal matt fibre.

I've fallen for the matt surface big time, its beautiful. I just love the way the highlights blend in to the shadows. This is where my problem lies. The Ilford Warmtone R.C paper selenium toned beautifully at 1-9, and I had total control of the final tone of the print, depending on the image I was printing. From A delicate hint of sepia/brown to the lovely purple browns selenium can give, but I just can't get the Ilford Fibre matt to tone in the selenium. I've tried everything and end up using the semi-matt warmtone in a 1-5 mix of selenium, but this is a compromise as the surface just does'nt do it for me.

So my question/questions to you all is: could you please recommend a Matt surface paper that takes well to selenium toning or a sure fire way to make the Ilford matt take to the selenium.

Just for info, I am at present using Fotospeed WT10 paper developer as apposed to my usual Tetenal variospeed Warm. Ilfords stop and fix.

Oh, and it would be nice if the paper was a multi-grade and easily available in the U.K, Retro Photographic sell Fomatone M.G Matt. It's a warmtone at the weight I like. Any good?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards

Stoo

Paddy · Jan 14, 2006

Try Forte Polywarmtone PW-14, PW-15 semi-matte, or PW-17 (Ivory base) semi-matte. It definitely responds to selenium toning. I think you'll love it. Here in N. America I buy it re-packaged through J&C Photo, as their "House Brand". Great stuff.

Bob F. · Jan 14, 2006

The Kentmere Fineprint FBVC Warm has a semi-matt finish which is worth a try. That is the only finish it is available in (I would prefer glossy too) but it is a very nice paper.

Cheers, Bob.

Daniel Lawton · Jan 14, 2006

Stoo,
I have recently fallen in love with Ilford warmtone Fiber and I find that it tones very well in selenium. I use the glossy but I wouldn't think the matte surface should be radically different. I use a 1+5 dilution and at first I thought nothing was happening. It does seem to take a little longer than some papers but after a couple of minutes or so a slight purple tonal shift is very visible and after a couple minutes longer it will shift red in dramatic fashion.

Dave Miller · Jan 15, 2006

For warmtone I use Kentmere with Nova developer, I happen to like the semi-gloss finish. I buy my paper from Creative Mono who cap their delivery charges, and deliver promptly.Silverprint also hold good stock of all papers, so are worth talking to if you want something that is otherwise hard to find here.

mikeg · Jan 15, 2006

I'm another fan of the Kentmere Warmtone paper. They call their semi-matt surface "Finegrain". The only problem I've had with it is that it is very reluctant to change colour in selenium toner. Their standard fibre paper, called Fineprint, is quite cold in a "normal" dev such as Ilford Multigrade, but it does tone well in selenium. It's available in gloss and the semi-matt "finegrain" surface. As Dave mentioned, most web suppliers such as Retro, Firstcall, Silverprint etc supply it.

Mike

Stoo Batchelor · Jan 16, 2006

Thanks for your help Guys

I must say that I'm a little bit disappointed, not with your answers but the fact that there doesn't seem to be another paper available that is a true Matt . Or a way to make the Ilford take to the selenium. I shall give the Kentmere a try as it seems to have your votes. It will be nice to keep it British.

Regards

Stoo

pentaxuser · Jan 16, 2006

Dave Miller said:
For warmtone I use Kentmere with Nova developer, I happen to like the semi-gloss finish. I buy my paper from Creative Mono who cap their delivery charges, and deliver promptly.Silverprint also hold good stock of all papers, so are worth talking to if you want something that is otherwise hard to find here.

Dave. I seem to remember that you are a RC user. Can I take it that this is Kentmere RC Warmtone and normal Nova developer. Nova is all I have ever used and it would be nice to know that it is good for Warmtone paper which I must try in the near future.

I have read all the threads on FB but the washing and drying put me off. Thanks

Pentaxuser

Dave Miller · Jan 16, 2006

pentaxuser said:
Dave. I seem to remember that you are a RC user. Can I take it that this is Kentmere RC Warmtone and normal Nova developer. Nova is all I have ever used and it would be nice to know that it is good for Warmtone paper which I must try in the near future.

I have read all the threads on FB but the washing and drying put me off. Thanks

Pentaxuser

At the risk of destroying my reputation as a R/C lover I must admit to using Fibre for all my exhibition, and competition prints. I use R/C for proofing, and of course the postcard exchange. In any case I’m not sure that Kentmere do a warmtone R/C paper, but both types tone very well and are a pleasure to use. Do not believe all you read about the difficulties of handling and drying fibre, it just takes a little longer. With regard to standard developers I have yet to notice any difference between those available; except their price.

Stoo Batchelor · Jan 16, 2006

pentaxuser said:
I have read all the threads on FB but the washing and drying put me off. Thanks

Pentaxuser

Pentaxuser

Your right on being put off by the washing/drying of FB papers and would have to say that the move hasn't been an easy one. Totally back to school, but it has definitely been a worth while journey. At one point I nearly gave up and went back to my R.C, but so glad I didn't. I was a total F.B sceptic and thought it was all snobbery surrounding it. I was happy with my prints, they were sharp, toned well and looked very nice in their window mounts. That lovely sheen that Ilford Pearl gives. But to me it still didn't feel right. It didn't feel like a piece of art. It's so hard to put in to words.
Then the other night I came out of the darkroom with my first split grade print (a la Les Mclean) and bang! thats what they mean by making your prints 'Zing' It's finally started happening for me.

And now, window mounted and sitting next to my R.C prints, well, it looks like art, it feels like art, it feels 'RIGHT' if you know what I mean.

Stoo

fhovie · Jan 16, 2006

Might I suggest the gloss fiber and let it air dry. It is not glossy if you do not ferrotype it but it has really good blacks and shows finer detail. Sort of a matt/lustre look.

boyooso · Jan 16, 2006

I should preface my response with : i don't particularly care for selenium toning.

But, I absolutely love Ilford's warmtone FB paper, it renders the shadow contrast as well as the shoulder contrast quite well, it has an absolutely beautiful tone naturally and is extremely versatile when sepia toning, especially when using Kodak's brown tone SEPIA 2 toner.

However when selenium toning it kind of converts back the cold tone of Ilford MG IV and then kind of tones abruptly... which I have seen no point in doing with that paper :-?

just a few thoughts!

Corey

dancqu · Jan 17, 2006

Stoo Batchelor said:
I've fallen for the matt surface big time, its beautiful.
I just love the way the highlights blend in to the shadows.

How romantic. And you would let that Selenium come twixt
yourself and the love of your life? I'd first forsake selenium.

Dan

Stoo Batchelor · Jan 17, 2006

dancqu said:
How romantic. And you would let that Selenium come twixt
yourself and the love of your life? I'd first forsake selenium.

Dan

A bit tongue in cheek Dan, but point taken. Sometimes the obvious is stareing you right in the face!

Thanks to the rest of you for your thoughts and ideas.

Stoo

Fibre Paper Choice dilemma: Help needed!

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