ILFOBROM GALERIE - how come this paper is so good?

Tom Kershaw · Feb 14, 2019

I've been doing some comparison prints, having not used ILFORD MG CLASSIC FB until recently - I have good stocks of older papers. While I can get a good print out of Adox MCC 110 and the newer MG CLASSIC paper, GALERIE has a really unique "rich" look with excellent definition across the tonal range without being over dramatic. When Harman Technology was in its previous incarnation Simon R Galley always spoke very highly of the paper and I'm inclined to agree, but graded papers seem to be a niche product these days.

Tom

DREW WILEY · Feb 14, 2019

At one time there was a serious selection premium graded papers, but now only a bit of Galerie remains, and it's nearly extinct too. You might want to look around for an alternative. Multigrade papers are the future.

Bill Burk · Feb 14, 2019

Nice heavy paper base. Clean whites (if you don’t stain it with bad processing) rich blacks, smooth gradation and a pleasing, smooth lustrous surface.

It’s just a good black and white paper with reliable properties. It’s a little slower than other papers. I like having a few more seconds printing time. I also like knowing the contrast. I don’t have to worry about the light source. I trust its long shelf life.

So with all these things I like about it, you can tell I haven’t named any magical properties. But all the things I like about it are hard to find in one paper.

Tom Kershaw · Feb 15, 2019

I'm perfectly happy to use the multigrade papers, but it is remarkable how well GALERIE stands up to these more modern papers.

Tom

Bob Carnie · Feb 15, 2019

this is the lambda paper I use and I am always amazed at the high quality... I am not one for nuetral tones but it really is an outstanding paper...my gallerie is modified to work with laser exposure btw.

Tom Kershaw · Feb 15, 2019

Bob Carnie said:
this is the lambda paper I use and I am always amazed at the high quality... I am not one for nuetral tones but it really is an outstanding paper...my gallerie is modified to work with laser exposure btw.

It would be great if ILFORD / Harman could come on here and give an explanation of the high quality of GALERIE. e.g are there design compromises to be made with manufacturing multigrade papers, I'm not really sure. Adox MCC 110 is MG / VC and a lovely paper to use.

Tom

Doremus Scudder · Feb 15, 2019

Retitle: Ilford Galerie: How come this paper is so gone?

I'm missing it already; down to my last couple of boxes. I've got old grade 1 that still prints beautifully, half a box of grade 2 and then no more.

Such a good product and so easy to use. RIP Galerie (along with Seagull G, Brilliant, Elite, EMaks, etc., etc.). I do like some of the VC papers (MCC 110) but miss the toning characteristics of the single emulsion graded papers...

Oh well.

Doremus

K-G · Feb 15, 2019

Doremus Scudder said:
Retitle: Ilford Galerie: How come this paper is so gone?

I'm missing it already; down to my last couple of boxes. I've got old grade 1 that still prints beautifully, half a box of grade 2 and then no more.

Such a good product and so easy to use. RIP Galerie (along with Seagull G, Brilliant, Elite, EMaks, etc., etc.). I do like some of the VC papers (MCC 110) but miss the toning characteristics of the single emulsion graded papers...

Oh well.

Doremus

You can still get some of grade 3 , but I think that is all. Sad !

Karl-Gustaf

Bob Carnie · Feb 15, 2019

The Galerie I use accepts all grades due to laser exposure, I am really amazed at how one can control highlight to shadow and inbetween.

Sal Santamaura · Feb 16, 2019

Bob Carnie said:
The Galerie I use...

For now? Have you asked HARMAN whether that version will go away too?

Bob Carnie · Feb 16, 2019

Sal Santamaura said:
For now? Have you asked HARMAN whether that version will go away too?

I doubt it as All the main photolabs still catering to the fine art market have Lambdas and use this paper.. In fact another big player is making a warmtone version and film for Lambdas in the near future.
Harman is almost impossible to talk too and in Canada the distributer has nobody left who understands fibre paper, so I am very hopeful with this new Player.

Tom Kershaw · Feb 16, 2019

Bob Carnie said:
I doubt it as All the main photolabs still catering to the fine art market have Lambdas and use this paper.. In fact another big player is making a warmtone version and film for Lambdas in the near future.
Harman is almost impossible to talk too and in Canada the distributer has nobody left who understands fibre paper, so I am very hopeful with this new Player.

A shame that Harman isn't as responsive as in the era post ILFORD Imaging ltd when we had Simon R Galley on here to field questions / communicate with customers etc.

Tom

Lachlan Young · Feb 16, 2019

K-G said:
You can still get some of grade 3 , but I think that is all. Sad !

Karl-Gustaf

All the regular sizes of G3 are available here - and I imagine G1/ G2/ G4 would/ could be made if the demand was there. Who's prepared to stop complaining & front the money to get a batch coated?

Doremus Scudder · Feb 16, 2019

Lachlan Young said:
All the regular sizes of G3 are available here - and I imagine G1/ G2/ G4 would/ could be made if the demand was there. Who's prepared to stop complaining & front the money to get a batch coated?

I'd buy a several year supply if a special order were possible.

DREW WILEY · Feb 16, 2019

Bob - just because some sizes or grades can still be bought doesn't mean they're going to be made in the future. There was a Harman notice not long ago listing all but G3 officially getting axed, and even that is probably just a small step to total extinction. This is a more expensive paper to make, and the market seems limited overall, Lambda or not. Plenty of Lambda machines around here, and not one of them uses Galerie, even if they could consistently get it in the US, which they can't. I think the base paper itself differs from Harman's other products, so that might to an issue too. But you should contact them directly. I'd hate to put all my eggs in one basket.

Bob Carnie · Feb 17, 2019

DREW WILEY said:
Bob - just because some sizes or grades can still be bought doesn't mean they're going to be made in the future. There was a Harman notice not long ago listing all but G3 officially getting axed, and even that is probably just a small step to total extinction. This is a more expensive paper to make, and the market seems limited overall, Lambda or not. Plenty of Lambda machines around here, and not one of them uses Galerie, even if they could consistently get it in the US, which they can't. I think the base paper itself differs from Harman's other products, so that might to an issue too. But you should contact them directly. I'd hate to put all my eggs in one basket.

Drew.
Maybe the world of printing has not hit your area , I know of at least 5 labs, 4 in New York, Digital Silver Imaging in Boston, Metro Imaging Uk, Picto Paris and about 10 labs in Europe , and my lab use this paper .. You need to get your facts straight before posting geezzzzluizzze.

Sal Santamaura · Feb 17, 2019

Bob Carnie said:
...You need to get your facts straight before posting...

Bob, do you realize you directed that to Drew?

Bob Carnie · Feb 17, 2019

Sal Santamaura said:
Bob, do you realize you directed that to Drew?

I am hoping Bigfoot will talk some sense into the Mountain Man.. I do understand Drew invented photography but I think his brain has been scrambled with all that high altitude climbing.

Bob Carnie · Feb 17, 2019

Tom Kershaw said:
I've been doing some comparison prints, having not used ILFORD MG CLASSIC FB until recently - I have good stocks of older papers. While I can get a good print out of Adox MCC 110 and the newer MG CLASSIC paper, GALERIE has a really unique "rich" look with excellent definition across the tonal range without being over dramatic. When Harman Technology was in its previous incarnation Simon R Galley always spoke very highly of the paper and I'm inclined to agree, but graded papers seem to be a niche product these days.

Tom

something that may interest all here is that one with effort could use the Digital Paper in the darkroom with no safelight. using digital negatives that have been profiled for this paper would take some doing but I believe quite possible for some of the engineers here.... the paper is a grade 4 emulsion with extra red sensitivity so one would require a soft negative to make it work.At least that is what I believe.

DREW WILEY · Feb 17, 2019

Oh, Bob probably has something going on with Harmon because he's Canadian. I knew there was a reason a few of my distant ancestors should have been hung before sneaking north over the border. King George was probably holding out an Ilford distributorship as the temptation to turn traitor. Gosh knows how the Italians got involved with Lambda machine usage in the north. Maybe they figured out how to channel Aurora Borealis flickers into the laser system.

ILFOBROM GALERIE - how come this paper is so good?

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