Ilford Fiber paper selection.

fiddle · Apr 26, 2022

I was looking through B&H, thought they were just out of stock, but then checked ilfords site, is there only glossy and matte fiber paper to choose from?
Im coming from RC, gonna be my first jump into fiber to try out, I use pearl, but I guess theres no fiber version?
Just wanted to make sure I wasnt missing something.

Thanks

Pieter12 · Apr 26, 2022

There is Ilford Art, a watercolor base paper. It has kind of an eggshell tone & surface, not too glossy. About 1 stop slower than the classic, and the emulsion is a bit delicate when wet. The warm tone of the paper base gives the highlights some warmth, blacks are nice and deep. The texture of the paper will obscure fine detail.

Paul Howell · Apr 26, 2022

If your willing to try Foma, Freestyle lists Foma Velvet FB, it is pricy at $50.00 for 25 sheets 8X10. I use Foma FB with good results, have not tired Velvet, I generally use FB glossy and dry as semi gloss.

Finn lyle · Apr 26, 2022

Foma's Velvet is a very nice surface, it's got a kind of macro-texture to it, not glossy at all but its not as matte as matte either lol. Fomatone velvet is a really stunning paper, it has an almost olive warmth to the highlights but still acheives a good Dmax in Dektol.
Not available at B&H but worth considering is Ultrafine's house matte fiber, which is something of an eggshell finish too (the price is very nice). No where near as matte as Ilford's matte fiber paper which is a bit opressive to the blacks imho.

fiddle · Apr 26, 2022

Thank you all for the info, I guess its time to test some papers.

GregY · Apr 26, 2022

fiddle, FB papers aren't nearly as glossy as RC..... air dried FB papers have a real nice sheen that don't shine like glass.....

Loren Sattler · Apr 26, 2022

I would suggest trying the Ilford Classic glossy first. It is very popular and as GregY suggested, it is not at all as glossy as RC gloss papers are. You may find it very pleasing.

fiddle · Apr 26, 2022

Thanks guys, I ordered a small box of glossy, might as well test this out first, maybe I dont mind it as you said.

Pieter12 · Apr 27, 2022

Ilford MGFB Glossy is my go-to paper. But it is a far cry from a satin finish. Adox used to have a very nice semi-matte fiber paper (MCC 112), but I don't see it anywhere.

greg zinselmeier · Apr 27, 2022

Foma 115 is semi matte. I think they still make it. And I think but not sure you can buy it in many sizes

gone · Apr 27, 2022

I made prints w/ several different FB papers recently, the Ilford Matte is beautiful, the glossy has a different look. None of them look like my RC prints, it's not in your face but they do have a different look. Their cool tone glossy made nice prints, but didn't suit every negative.

I prefer the matte but that's just personal taste. If you try a few different papers, keep good notes so you know what happened if they turn out nice. Subject matter may determine which one you prefer.

You'll be wise to follow the print directions supplied by Ilford. I tried different things, but their method was better, and used up a lot less water.

Doremus Scudder · Apr 28, 2022

If you like the pearl surface of Ilford RC papers, then the closest for fiber-base is the air-dried glossy finish. Fiber-base glossy papers only get really glossy like RC if you ferrotype them (drying them with the surface in contact with a metal ferrotype plate or, alternately glass, which entails using a brayer/roller to press the print to the plate).

Best,

Doremus

Paul Howell · Apr 28, 2022

Freestyle sells Foma swatch books, samples of all the current papers and textured finishes.

Ilford Fiber paper selection.

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