Graded paper? Why is it still used?

[mehguy]

Just wondering but considering that VC paper gives you more options in terms of contrast (nowadays anyways), is there any point of having graded paper anymore? There are less contrast choices (2,3, and 4 I believe) and its less economical.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Graded papers are used for a particular look and feel of the print.

 

[Doc W]

Why shoot analogue anymore? Sirius just answered both questions.

 

[DREW WILEY]

The selection of graded paper is quite limited now. VC papers have dramatically improved in the interim. But there are still certain things graded papers could do better, depending on the specific paper, and how you developed and toned it. In fact, most of the time I use VC papers as if they were graded, and only tweak the individual layers as needed, to punch in difficult highlights etc. At other times, their flexibility makes life far easier.
The classic graded papers of the past were silver-rich, and looked it, esp with cold-toned images.

 

[Arklatexian]

Just wondering but considering that VC paper gives you more options in terms of contrast (nowadays anyways), is there any point of having graded paper anymore? There are less contrast choices (2,3, and 4 I believe) and its less economical.

I can't answer your question as it has been many years since I have used any graded papers but by golly, I'm going to buy some and find out. And, if I want to save money, I am in the wrong hobby......Regards!

 

[Bill Burk]

I love using Graded papers.

I am incredibly indecisive when faced with infinite choices... like... should I use 2.5 or 2???

But given a negative that I want to print... it will always obviously be suited for Grade 2 or Grade 3... I can make that decision before I even make a test strip.

If it's such a bad negative that it won't work on either, I keep a 10 sheet box of multigrade handy... But I hardly ever use it.

 

[MattKing]

There is an argument for having fixed targets to shoot to.

But in the current market, graded paper is probably best suited to people who control the contrast of their negatives by either:
1) shooting and developing under tightly controlled conditions, like the studio; or
2) shooting and developing single sheets of film, using something like the Zone System.

 

[Slixtiesix]

I like Ilford Galerie because it has practically zero dry-down and I found that feature quite unique among FB-papers. Does anyone know whether the newest generation of Multigrade also has this feature?

 

[Lachlan Young]

I like Ilford Galerie because it has practically zero dry-down and I found that feature quite unique among FB-papers. Does anyone know whether the newest generation of Multigrade also has this feature?

I've generally found that the Multigrade Classic FB has distinctly less drydown than Galerie & Cooltone FB less still - never measured the amounts or anything, but it is pretty small in any case.

The thing I like about Galerie is the ability to manipulate the highlights through developing time & its distinctly different curve behaviour compared to multigrade papers - because of this it can seem a bit harder than the ISO (R) numbers would suggest. I quite like graded Fomabrom too.

Also the 'Silver-rich' canard has been dealt with multiple times by Photo Engineer et al and is largely nonsense - the lower silver content in today's papers is due to better utilisation of the silver. The other tonal effects were more likely down to Cd, Hg, Pb salts & their effects on the tone curve.

 

[jim appleyard]

What Matt said. Some photographers shoot one kind of film, know how to meter a scene and use one kind of developer. They have it nailed down and grade papers give them the look they want.

 

[unityofsaints]

Silver chloride papers are only available graded.

 

[ic-racer]

Just wondering but considering that VC paper gives you more options in terms of contrast (nowadays anyways), is there any point of having graded paper anymore? There are less contrast choices (2,3, and 4 I believe) and its less economical.

Other than special occasions (certain toning consiserations or lith prints) the last time I bought graded paper was when I bought a Kodak Tri-Chem-Pack and a box of 5x7 Kodabromide in 1975.

 

[removed account4]

i like mc papers because they make things easy, and it is fun to split grade print. now that vc papers can hold their own and
look every bit as great as graded papers i don't really see the point of using single grade paper, unless i am using up old paper that
i have in storage, or am coating my own with bottled or self made emulsion ... its like rc paper ( to me at least ) there really is no difference
and manufacturers say they can out-last or last just as long as FB prints, and conserve water/resources when making them ..
a print is a print. and at a certain point it is just bragging rights to say what you made it with.

like with everything YMMV

 

[BMbikerider]

I use MG papers because they are convenient and in the long run cheaper for me. I can get almost infinite grades between 00 and 5 with my colour enlarger so I only have to keep one make in stock. With graded papers, there are I think only 3 grades available, 1,2,& 3 This you would think would cover most of your MG grades, but none do so as effectively a graded. Graded paper has more actual silver content in the emulsion which is one reasoin why it is more expensive. So with say G2 you will get more intense blacks and at the same time you can keep shadow detail which in effect it is almost a multigrade paper in it's own right. The last time I used graded paper it was made by AGFA and their grade three was so contrasty it was almost unmanageable with a normal contrst negative. Graded paper is also a lot quicker than MG aided by the lack of filtration.

 

[DWThomas]

Some people, including me, use graded paper for paper negatives, as multigrade can skew spectral response in that application. But for printing, being able to essentially just stock one big box of paper is attractive and more economical (sort of -- Ilford Warmtone seems to go up every time I buy it! )

 

[tedr1]

Some of the differences between graded and MG can be subtle, however to the experienced print maker differences that are subtle to the casual viewer can become quite major. One of the factors is the shape of the tone-curve, the relationship of optical density in the print versus density in the negative, this is a curve having a several different slopes and it affects how the dark and light regions are distinguished. The curves for graded and MG papers are not identical, this can be shown by measurement and also by seeing, once you know what to look for.

 

[georg16nik]

99% of the time, VC paper is like a zoom lens... sometimes it feels almost like a prime lens, but most of the time it ain't.
You can't slap a bunch of emulsions with diff curves and have no drawbacks, YMMV.
Too bad that the current fixed grade papers are mostly dumped-down version of the papers we had ~ 30 years ago.

 

[Peter Schrager]

Try slavich before you moan
Best peter

 

[Jim Noel]

Make a print at grade 2 or 3 on your favorite variable contrast paper, then the same image on grade 2 paper by the same manufacturer and you should see why some of us stilluse graded papers.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

To me old SG FB paper is superior to modern MG RC, which priced locally too expensive now, while old one still possible to find and it is priced right.

 

[chip j]

MG papers are s**t in a cocktail glass.

 

[removed account4]

99% of the time, VC paper is like a zoom lens... sometimes it feels almost like a prime lens, but most of the time it ain't.
You can't slap a bunch of emulsions with diff curves and have no drawbacks, YMMV.
Too bad that the current fixed grade papers are mostly dumped-down version of the papers we had ~ 30 years ago.

MG papers are s**t in a cocktail glass.

what a bunch of sheepshank.
you guys are too funny...

getting back to the OP

the reason graded papers are still being used is because they are still being made
and people use them out of habit because they like the results the papers give, and the reason they
are still being made, might be because they sell .. and it might also be because maybe they
are less expensive and easier to manufacture than variable contrast papers.

 

[kreeger]

Also agreeing with Matt.

The graded papers are better suited in printing speed for especially with larger prints. Cold light or Tungsten bulbs..exposure penalty paid with VC papers due to filtration for the grade changes... but not noticed that much with 8x10 and smaller prints.

My advice is use both types, be happy, and look for a new topic to debate that hasn't been covered yet...

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Long ago in a galaxy far away when I was still hand printing I settled on Ilford Gallery grade 3 and never used anything else, selenium toned to deepen blacks and neutralize the paper's olive green tint. I truly did love that stuff.

 

[Svenedin]

I would still use Ilford graded if it wasn't for the fact that it is so expensive. If my negatives won't print at grade 2 or 3 there is something wrong with them. I like the simplicity of not using filters. The vast majority of my negatives are printed at grade 2 anyway.

In fact, this thread has persuaded me to order some Grade 2 paper!