Ilford Equivalent to Kodak Polycontract RC IV

[Michael L. Dunlap]

I've always been a strict Kodak user in the darkroom. I currently use Polycontrast RC IV glossy surface with Dektol. Kodak recently announced their departure from the B&W paper market at the end of this year. They said they would continue producing chemistry, so I will stick with Dektol, but I need to know what the Ilford equivalent to this paper is. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Keith Tapscott.]

I've always been a strict Kodak user in the darkroom. I currently use Polycontrast RC IV glossy surface with Dektol. Kodak recently announced their departure from the B&W paper market at the end of this year. They said they would continue producing chemistry, so I will stick with Dektol, but I need to know what the Ilford equivalent to this paper is. Thanks in advance for your input.

Click on the link below:

http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/kpie.pdf

 

[fschifano]

You could try Ilford Multigrade Cooltone RC. It's not an exact replacement, but should be pretty close. Of course there are other options as well, and I don't know any that won't work with Dektol. Another good choice is Agfa's range of RC papers. Very nice stuff and considerably less expensive than the Kodak and Ilford papers.

 

[aj-images]

I agree with Fschifano on the cooltone. The Ilford standard multigrade is a bit on the warm side. Check out Ultrafine papers. They are pretty close to Kodak's and are a good price. Ultrafineonline.com -Jim

 

[Michael L. Dunlap]

Thanks for the link. It looks like Ilford anticipated a lot of people asking this question. After looking at the chart, I think I might go with the neutral-tone paper and then adjust as needed with my contrast filters.