I vicariously hate RC papers.

MDR · Dec 20, 2011

I personaly prefer the feel and texture of FB paper but I also use a lot of RC Paper to make paper negatives, Contact prints, try out prints, etc... Behind a glass frame there isn't that much difference between a glossy RC and FB paper, matt RC and FB paper on the other hand looks quiet different to each other even behind glass. Nothing wrong with using RC paper in my opinion and in a glass frame you can't touch it anyway.

Dominik

pentaxuser · Dec 20, 2011

Jerevan said:
Would love to see the RC Portfolio paper, it seems even nicer with a thicker base. I have a bit of a soft spot for the postcard paper, even though it is glossy.

It comes in glossy and pearl

pentaxuser

Jerevan · Dec 20, 2011

pentaxuser said:
It comes in glossy and pearl

pentaxuser

Pearl paper, oh the horror!

OzJohn · Dec 20, 2011

IMHO all the really nice FB papers in terms of texture, base colour and tactile properties disappeared many years ago and about the only difference between those that are around today and their RC equivalents is that the FB ones consume much more water and time to make a print. And yes I know Ilford have recently released a FB on art paper and the company is to be congratulated for that but there is, remember, another printing technology that offers an outstanding array of paper types and surfaces if you want explore that possibility. OzJohn

keithwms · Dec 20, 2011

I adore matte fiber and will use it 'til the bitter end. However, when prepping a bunch of prints at a time, oh my goodness RC is so much easier! The washing goes by in a blink. To wash and tone a bunch of thick matte fiber takes quite a lot of time and water. (and yes I do have a big arkay archival washer, but still)

Eric Rose · Dec 20, 2011

I love RC paper! Love the rich blacks and glossy gloss. Love that it doesn't curl up like a cat nailed on a freeway. Fiber is nice too.

lxdude · Dec 21, 2011

Simon R Galley said:
Finally, I would accept the random Kylie as long as you took Rolf Harris* back...all American contributors will now be scratching their heads...understandably..Google it!

Not all! His goofy song (TMKDS-I don't dare say it or it will be knocking around my head for two days, until a particularly annoying modern Christmas carol reclaims its territory). The song got a lot of airplay here when I was a kid-and I liked it so much I bought the 45! As a result I will always remember all the words, even though I can't remember the first name of one of my neighbors.

he has also painted Queen Elizabeth the II ( Her Majesty that is as opposed to the ship ).

Well, the ship would require a lot more paint!

tomalophicon · Dec 21, 2011

lxdude said:
Not all! His goofy song (TMKDS-I don't dare say it or it will be knocking around my head for two days, until a particularly annoying modern Christmas carol reclaims its territory). The song got a lot of airplay here when I was a kid-and I liked it so much I bought the 45! As a result I will always remember all the words, even though I can't remember the first name of one of my neighbors.

Well, the ship would require a lot more paint!

Gee that's a blast from the past. You didn't have to spell it out for it to get stuck in MY head. Thanks a bundle.

Molli · Dec 21, 2011

lxdude said:
Not all! His goofy song (TMKDS-I don't dare say it or it will be knocking around my head for two days, until a particularly annoying modern Christmas carol reclaims its territory).

Many thanks for that.... I now have it stuck in MY head, albeit with entirely different lyrics that one should NOT repeat in front of the kiddies... and if I start singing this in front of my mother come Christmas day, YOU'RE in trouble!

Steve Smith · Dec 21, 2011

I can remember receiving Rolf Harris singing Two Little Boys on 45 RPM single for Christmas when I was about five.

Steve.

tomalophicon · Dec 21, 2011

Sorry to hear that!

guitstik · Dec 21, 2011

I have always liked an ice cold RC with a moon pie.

Simon, when he painted the Queen did he use a brush, roller, spray rig or did he just dunk her in the paint?

hoffy · Dec 21, 2011

guitstik said:
I have always liked an ice cold RC with a moon pie.

Simon, when he painted the Queen did he use a brush, roller, spray rig or did he just dunk her in the paint?

Now that would be Art!

schrollphoto · Dec 21, 2011

This is why I spend my morning coffee time with APUG! I haven't laughed this hard in months!! Why stay serious when it can be fun, just like photography, everyone has their own style. I for one have used Ilford Multigrade RC Pearl for so many years, I can't remember. I think it was Multi III that I started with twenty years ago. Tried lots of "classic" FB but never got into the process. My dad started in 1936 and stayed with fiber until the end (1995). I guess what works for you is the way to go and quit worrying about what other folks do, that's their style. He was a Kodak guy and I was an Ilford child.....Ford/Chevy, they both get you there.....enjoy the art, that's what fun!

brian steinberger · Dec 21, 2011

I use RC for contact sheets, work prints and some final prints that are small. 5x7 RC is awesome. I love making 4 1/4 x 4 1/4" prints on it. Much nicer than a curled up FB. At 8x10 I can go either way. Final prints mostly on FB though. But once you get to 11x14 that's where I think FB takes off. What a thing of beauty to behold. RC at this size is like.. and I quote one fellow APUGer "printing on a place mat." So true.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Dec 21, 2011

Are computer monitors classified as resin coated or matte. I use a fat, oily , bath once a month lab man service and I really loved my photographs not printed by him but scanned and put to the APUG gallery.

lxdude · Dec 21, 2011

tomalophicon said:
Gee that's a blast from the past. You didn't have to spell it out for it to get stuck in MY head. Thanks a bundle.

Ooops.

lxdude · Dec 21, 2011

Molli said:
Many thanks for that.... I now have it stuck in MY head, albeit with entirely different lyrics that one should NOT repeat in front of the kiddies...

Ooops again... and now while reading this, wondering what those lyrics might be, it snuck around and slithered into my ear, so now I'm hearing an odd amalgam of original and lewd lyrics!:confused:

and if I start singing this in front of my mother come Christmas day, YOU'RE in trouble!

I'm sure if I were there you would tan me 'ide!

Roger Cole · Dec 21, 2011

MattKing said:
This may be a mistake, Christopher.

There are still a reasonably wide variety of FB papers around, and each tends to have its own character. A good print, on an FB paper suited to it, can be a wonderful thing.

It does feel a bit nicer than RC, as well.

It is, however, a good idea to get comfortable with your RC printing first - that way you will be more likely to get the extra benefit that FB can give, in the right circumstances (and with the extra time and effort).

And also, you should consider participating in one of the APUG print exchanges. Even the Postcard exchange usually includes at least a few FB postcards. You will never be able to answer the question about which you prefer, until you have at least seen a few of the alternatives.

And Simon:

Do you think you could do something to convince your Canadian distributor friends to bring some Ilford RC Cooltone into Canada. It is my favourite of your Ilford cousins, but it's not really available in the regular retail locations here.

The best w

While you're getting cooltone to the Canadians, how about a FB version? Or at least 16x20 RC?

FB is (looks) better, RC is easier. Simple as that. I use RC for contacts, some work prints, and most small prints, as someone else said. If it's getting mounted to go on the wall, that calls for FB.

Jerevan said:
Pearl paper, oh the horror!

Eh? By far my favorite RC surface. Pearl, at least the Ilford version, looks more like FB glossy-dried-matte than any other RC surface. I don't care for the shiny RC glossy stuff, and RC matte is just plain horrid. The d-max of RC matte papers, IME, varies from poor to awful. Pearl surfaces manage to combine good d-max with a muted sheen much like like FB glossy air dried.

Bill Burk · Dec 21, 2011

Humbled by the outpouring support for RC paper, I will try to hold my opinion without snobbery.

I prefer FB and have no plan to change. I've got reasons but they are only that - reasons.

Henceforth I'll pledge to respect and appreciate the different opinions of those who like RC.

Does it come in single grades?

Roger Cole · Dec 22, 2011

Bill Burk said:
Humbled by the outpouring support for RC paper, I will try to hold my opinion without snobbery.

I prefer FB and have no plan to change. I've got reasons but they are only that - reasons.

Henceforth I'll pledge to respect and appreciate the different opinions of those who like RC.

Does it come in single grades?

Freestyle lists Arista EDU Ultra in graded #2 and #3 in 5x7 and 8x10:

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/c502-Black-and-White-Paper-Resin-Coated-Graded

B&H lists some Foma (probably what the Arista EDU Ultra is, )Ilfospeed, Kentmere and Oriental:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...ted&ci=802&N=4288586366+4289267228+4289268059

Jerevan · Dec 22, 2011

Roger Cole said:
Eh? By far my favorite RC surface.

It was purely an opinion! And as you see... everyone has one! I am not one for liking the pearl or glossy warmtone (whether RC or FB) either but then again, I just love the Ilford matte FB and the warmtone semi-matte was the first paper I ever printed on.

I also use the Fomabrom III 111/112 ones, to spread some love there too.

Simon R Galley · Dec 22, 2011

Dear Guitstik.....

Funny.....he painted her proper like!, with an easel and everything, I believe the portrait even went on show at the National Portrait Gallery in London ( if you are ever in London do not miss the NPG it, is actually attached to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Sq but the entrance is just around the corner, some great paintings, but some really great photography as well, my favourite gallery, apart from The Van Gogh Gallery in Amsterdam that is ).

I think the Queen sits for 3 or 4 portraits a year so the poor woman has had to sit through 200 or so of these events in her reign so far ! so she deserves her big party in 2012 and we get another day off !

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology LImited

I vicariously hate RC papers.

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