How many different packages of paper do you have?

ToddB · Jan 16, 2014

Hey guys,

I was wondering how many different types of paper you have in your darkroom to print on. I've seen pictures of darkroom's with stacks of different type of paper on the shelves to choose from on the web.

ToddB

Shawn Dougherty · Jan 16, 2014

I'm down to two... Just my last stash of AGFA MCC 111 which is almost gone and a few sheets of Ilford Warmtone FB.

Once those are gone I plan on having just two regulars:
Ilford Warmtone FB for warmtone prints
and either
Ilford Classic FB or Adox MCC 110 FB for neutral prints

fretlessdavis · Jan 16, 2014

Ilford MGIV
Kentmere
Adorama House Brand RC (contact sheets)

My big box of MGIV has traveled a lot, and I'm starting to think it's a bit heat-fogged or something. Contrast is low (negatives that print 20M on my color head and Kentmere need 90M with my MGIV). Paper base is pretty dull comparing to the Kentmere, and it' even a bit worse than the Adorama. Blacks are the same as the Adorama, not quite as nice as the Kentmere, though. The tone of the Kenmere is much more Blue-Black, too (my preference)

Sadly, it appears that the Kentmere is on its way out. Looks like Kentmere FB is gone, and even the VC Select is getting a bit sparse.

What's a good recommendation for a cooler toned paper that will do well in Selenium that isn't the new Ilford stuff?

mr rusty · Jan 16, 2014

MGIV RC in pearl & gloss
MGWT RC in pearl & gloss
MGWT FB
Slavich Unibrom
Foma 331, 532
Kentmere Fineprint VC FB

all above 8x10 or 9x12

plus some kentmere VC Select RC gloss 12 x 16 and MGIV RC 12 x 16.

I like having a selection of papers to suit different images.

ToddB · Jan 16, 2014

I've had good luck with Arista EDU FB papers. When I Sel Tone those they look really nice.

Todd

David Brown · Jan 16, 2014

I tend to stick with one paper for the most part, (MGIV right now) but I use RC for proofing and FB for "real" prints. However, I have accumulated a stash of varied papers through gifts and "liquidations" by other photographers. Just last night I went and picked up several boxes from someone who hadn't printed in years. So, I have various Ilfords, Oriental, Kentmere and odds and ends in several different sizes and surfaces.

Xmas · Jan 16, 2014

Only MGIV RC satin from postcard up to 12x16 &
Bromesco grade 2 16x20 - I found hiding in under stair cupboard (probably from circa 1990 or so).

Noel

Simon R Galley · Jan 16, 2014

More than you would ever believe was possible......!!!!!

Simon ILFORD photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Jeff Kubach · Jan 16, 2014

I have two, Arista and Ilford.

Jeff

Snapshot · Jan 16, 2014

Simon R Galley said:
More than you would ever believe was possible......!!!!!

Simon ILFORD photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Why are we not surprised!

NedL · Jan 16, 2014

I just counted and there are 10 boxes. But that is misleading because some of them are specifically for paper negatives or solargraphy and some are for contact printing experiments. For printing under my enlarger I only have three kinds of paper: Ilford MGWT, MGIV and Adorama brand.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jan 16, 2014

Ilford MGIV fiber matte, 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20
Ilford MGIV fiber glossy, 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20

Got a few boxes of 11x14 Ilford MGWT and Art 300, and finally some assorted Kodak and Agfa papers that are intended for lith printing. There are too many to mention here.

Jim Noel · Jan 16, 2014

At last count 16 brands including Azo, Velox, Portriga , Varigam and a few other all but forgotten names. Additionally I make prints utilizing 8 different alternative processes.
I get bored easily!

effae · Jan 16, 2014

I've got a 100 sheet box of pearl Ilford MGIV RC Deluxe 5x7in (halfway through) and a 25 sheet box of glossy MGIV RC Deluxe 7x9½in (almost printed). The latter I managed to fog a little with the suprisingly strong lume on my watch.

I really like the pearl finish. I think my next purchase might be 8x10in in pearl..

BMbikerider · Jan 16, 2014

Black and White
1 x 16/12 Kentmere fibre MG 50 sheet part used
1 x 7/5 Kentmere fibre MG 100sheets, Part used (For test strips)
1 x 9.5/12 Kentmere VC select new
1 x 9.5/12 kentmere VC Select almost finished
1 x 10/8 Ilford MG4 almost finished

Colour RA4 (all Fuji)

1 x 12/16 gloss part used

BMbikerider · Jan 16, 2014

Black and White
1 x 16/12 Kentmere fibre MG 50 sheet part used
1 x 7/5 Kentmere fibre MG 100sheets, Part used (For test strips)
1 x 9.5/12 Kentmere VC select new 50 sheets
1 x 9.5/12 kentmere VC Select almost finished was 50 sheets
1 x 10/8 Ilford MG4 almost finished was 100 sheets

Colour RA4 (all Fuji Crystal Archive)

1 x 12/16 gloss part used was 50 sheets
1 x10/12 Gloss part used was 50 sheets
1 x 10/12 Gloss new 50 sheets

polyglot · Jan 16, 2014

About 10 if you include all the different sizes. But really only about 3 different papers: Kentmere VC FB or MGIV FB gloss (depending on what's available), Arista VC RC pearl and some RA4 pearl. All in 8x10 and 16x20, plus a couple other randoms that I tested (MCC, etc).

Rich Ullsmith · Jan 16, 2014

Ektalure G/X/R, Kodabrome, Transtar, Oriental 2/3/4, Ilford WT, Galerie 2/3/4, Luminos Charcoal, Luminos Linen, Portriga Rapid, Foma Classic, Polywarmtone, Polywarmtone+, Dupont Varilour, Velour and Defender, and lots of various things I can't think of right off.

Went through a hoarding phase a few years ago when I realized that some things were going away and not coming back.

SchwinnParamount · Jan 16, 2014

Simon R Galley said:
More than you would ever believe was possible......!!!!!

Simon ILFORD photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Maybe it's time I relieved you of some of it. Especially the new cool tone stuff.

paul_c5x4 · Jan 16, 2014

Jim Noel said:
and a few other all but forgotten names.

Same here, along with a couple of gas light papers that have been long forgotten.

I don't want to go through the fridge and freezer listing all the papers as it would probably be a shock to realise just how much is there.

Vaughn · Jan 16, 2014

Too many to keep track of. Just made a wonderful 11x14 contact print using a 16x20 pack of Ektalure. The info inside the pack said that it was last revised in 1977.

mooseontheloose · Jan 16, 2014

You got me curious about this myself, so I did a quick inventory. Most of my papers are fiber, 9.5x12, unless otherwise indicated. And, with a few exceptions, I've got multiple boxes of each.

Primarily for lith printing:

Fomatone 131, 132, 532(II), the old 542 (5x7), 333 (4x6)
Foma Variant IV 123
(all Foma papers pre-reformuation)
Fotospeed Lith (8X10)
Forte Polywarmtone
Slavich Unibrom 160

Primarily for contact sheets, proofs, and postcard exchange:

Fujibro WP FM3, KM2, KM3, FM, AM (all RC, from 4x6 to 8x10). Fuji papers are obviously my cheapest option in Japan, which for some reason is not necessarily true of their film.
Fuji Rembrant V (not for proofing, just a small box to experiment with for final, fiber-based prints). But I think I'll stick with Ilford.

And for exhibiting prints that are non-lith:

Ilford MGFB Warmtone
Ilford MG Art 300
Ilford MGIV RC pearl (for proofs or postcards)

I loved the Foma papers for everything, but since the reformulation have decided to use them only for lith prints now. Even though I've been printing for years, that's a bit of a misnomer, since I usually only get into the darkroom for 2 or 3 sessions a year (those sessions may last from a couple of days to a couple of weeks). So I'm still trying to master what I've got and settle on a select few papers for specific processes/looks. I'm hoping with my move to Kyoto in the near future that I'll be able to find a place where I can have a dedicated darkroom that I can work in on a regular basis and make a dent in quite a number of the boxes I have.

markbarendt · Jan 16, 2014

Vaughn said:
Too many to keep track of. Just made a wonderful 11x14 contact print using a 16x20 pack of Ektalure. The info inside the pack said that it was last revised in 1977.

I'm with you, not doing an inventory.

SchwinnParamount · Jan 17, 2014

mooseontheloose said:
You got me curious about this myself, so I did a quick inventory. Most of my papers are fiber, 9.5x12, unless otherwise indicated. And, with a few exceptions, I've got multiple boxes of each.

Primarily for lith printing:

Fomatone 131, 132, 532(II), the old 542 (5x7), 333 (4x6)
Foma Variant IV 123
(all Foma papers pre-reformuation)
Fotospeed Lith (8X10)
Forte Polywarmtone
Slavich Unibrom 160

Primarily for contact sheets, proofs, and postcard exchange:

Fujibro WP FM3, KM2, KM3, FM, AM (all RC, from 4x6 to 8x10). Fuji papers are obviously my cheapest option in Japan, which for some reason is not necessarily true of their film.
Fuji Rembrant V (not for proofing, just a small box to experiment with for final, fiber-based prints). But I think I'll stick with Ilford.

And for exhibiting prints that are non-lith:

Ilford MGFB Warmtone
Ilford MG Art 300
Ilford MGIV RC pearl (for proofs or postcards)

I loved the Foma papers for everything, but since the reformulation have decided to use them only for lith prints now. Even though I've been printing for years, that's a bit of a misnomer, since I usually only get into the darkroom for 2 or 3 sessions a year (those sessions may last from a couple of days to a couple of weeks). So I'm still trying to master what I've got and settle on a select few papers for specific processes/looks. I'm hoping with my move to Kyoto in the near future that I'll be able to find a place where I can have a dedicated darkroom that I can work in on a regular basis and make a dent in quite a number of the boxes I have.

Do you have a favorite paper for lith?

mooseontheloose · Jan 17, 2014

SchwinnParamount said:
Do you have a favorite paper for lith?

My favorite has always been Fomatone 132/131, even though I need to find a way to tame the colour with some prints. The majority of lith prints that I have in my gallery are printed on Fomatone. I haven't used any of the new Fomatone though, since it's been reformulated -- all my boxes are old stock. I loved the texture of 542 (532 was already gone by the time I started lith printing), although I guess the Ilford Art 300 now comes the closest to it. However, I haven't really had any any successful lith prints with it yet. I've been slowly experimenting with the Fujibro papers (only the fixed grade RC papers will lith) as I like the sandy colours they produce. The biggest issue for me in Japan is that lith developers are not available here, so I can't do as much lith as I would like due to the cost of shipping the developer over here (and not all will ship due to various regulations - Fotospeed LD20 Lith is one).

How many different packages of paper do you have?

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