Is there a regular or common grade for black and white paper?

pkr1979 · Jun 12, 2024

Hi all,

I was under the impression that grade 2 was the 'regular' grade for black and white paper. But is that really the case, or is, say, grade 3 just as common? I get that different negatives with different scenes depends here, Im just curious to know if one is more common than the other.

Cheers
Peter

pkr1979 · Jun 12, 2024

Same for filters... that 'the most used filter' would be the grade 2 filter for multigrade paper?

pentaxuser · Jun 12, 2024

There may not be a definite answer to this question. Can I ask are you referring to single graded papers and which one sells the best or which grade filter most people use for their prints on multi-grade paper ? I think you are asking about the latter. If so, it depends on how you develop your film and on which of two types of enlarger you use. Condenser enlargers and diffusion enlargers are the 2 main types

A condenser enlarger will produce a higher contrast print at the same exposure so a grade 2 condenser produced print will be roughly the same as a grade 3 diffusion produced one

In my case I use a diffusion enlarger and my negatives need grade 3 or occasionally 3.5 as these are the best grades for the wa y and time I develop my negatives. However that is just me and my taste in prints. Others will be the same but many may not choose that grade

pentaxuser

xkaes · Jun 12, 2024

A grade 2 filter will produce the same level of contrast as the same paper will -- without a filter -- but you get to decide if you prefer #2 or #3 or whatever, as your standard. That's true for graded or VC paper.

You need to expose and develop your film to produce the level of contrast that YOU like -- on whatever paper (and grade/filtration) YOU prefer. You start with the paper FIRST.

Alan9940 · Jun 12, 2024

When most folks speak of correct development times, it's usually in reference to proper tones on grade 2 (for fixed grade paper) or #2 filter (for VC paper), but I wouldn't say it's a "cast in stone" standard. Many photographers I know have settled on a 2.5 filter as their "standard." Back in the days when I used only graded papers, I tailored my MF / LF negatives for grade 2 and my 35mm for grade 3. It really all boils down to the look you prefer in your prints.

pkr1979 · Jun 12, 2024

Alan9940 said:
When most folks speak of correct development times, it's usually in reference to proper tones on grade 2 (for fixed grade paper) or #2 filter (for VC paper), but I wouldn't say it's a "cast in stone" standard. Many photographers I know have settled on a 2.5 filter as their "standard." Back in the days when I used only graded papers, I tailored my MF / LF negatives for grade 2 and my 35mm for grade 3. It really all boils down to the look you prefer in your prints.

Thanks - this clears it up for me

MattKing · Jun 12, 2024

Grade 2 is a good target if you are adjusting your process.
It gives you room to choose lower or higher grades, when required.
Historically, that was what many fixed grade paper users aimed for.

pkr1979 · Jun 12, 2024

Thanks @MattKing

Andrew O'Neill · Jun 12, 2024

Grade 2 paper, or the filter that gives you "grade 2" on VC papers, is the target grade, as it tends to give the best tones and doesn't emphasise the negative's grain. Traditionally, the negative is developed to match the grade 2 paper scale.

snusmumriken · Jun 12, 2024

Did I dream this? I have a vague memory that when Ilford re-vamped their Multigrade paper and filters, grade 2 1/2 became the new normal. I may really have dreamt it.

Is there a regular or common grade for black and white paper?

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Is there a regular or common grade for black and white paper?

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