Looking for quality photo papers that look like the image is IN the paper, not on top

[Tom Stanworth]

The latest incarnation of Ilford MGWT is one of the best, if not the best, paper I have ever used (in ten years) and that includes Oriental Seagul, Forte PWT etc. This is why:

Deep, rich paper with lots of depth. Amazing blacks.
Very high contrast range.
Soft white base. Works for warm images and cold. MILES better than when the paper first came out
US warm devs and get a warm image
Use something like Eukobrom and you get superb neutral image tones and if a hunch proves correct, it also cools the base a touch. I have been exploring this recently after noticing that Robin Bell (who prints for me and at that time used Dektol) got a cooler base than me using PQ universal. My Eukobrom images have the same brighter base he got.
Relatively high surface sheen.

It achieves greater contrast at the top end than Adox MCC and has a heavier base, but it is much slower. Adox MCC base is too stark IMO... kinda uber white, but not as ultra white as Kentmere fineprint. I like to use the Adox when I need the speed and it is a damn good paper, but the MGWT IMHO has the edge in richness.

I have pretty well standardised on this paper because it just stuns me when I do my part. Robin Bell also uses pretty well nothing else.

 

[evansol]

Ilford MGWT papers - the "latest incarnations"...

The latest incarnation of Ilford MGWT is one of the best, if not the best, paper I have ever used (in ten years) and that includes Oriental Seagul, Forte PWT etc. This is why:

Deep, rich paper with lots of depth. Amazing blacks.
Very high contrast range.
Soft white base. Works for warm images and cold. MILES better than when the paper first came out...


Hi Tom... I have been using Ilford MGWT papers that I ordered new about 2 months ago, and they just don't seem to give me the tones I want... are you talking about something NEWER that Ilford is now shipping? I would be happy to try it again, if this is a newer formula they are shipping. I have always liked the consistency and predictability of Ilford papers, and feel like they are old friends in my darkroom!

Evan