Multigrade FB vs Bergger CB

[miha]

I mean Multigrade Warmtone FB and Bergger CB? How do they compare in weight/thickness, base colour and gloss? (the recent Bergger paper, not the one from the Forte days).

Thanks.

 

[Jan-Peter]

Hi, miha;

I cannot tell anything about the Bergger CB paper; however: I have developed quite a lot on Ilford MG warmtone, actually one whole 50" - 100 ft roll and several 50 sheet packages of 12x16" sizes.

As having developed much on Agfa Record Rapid earlier times I can only tell you - and ascertain you - that the Ilford MG Warmtone is the best paper I ever have developed for various reasons!

It has a nice tone and a real brilliant white! - It has an explicitly rich tonal range and deep shades. After exposing and putting the sheet into the developer bath it takes but 30 seconds when the print will gradually show up - and it will be fine after two or three minutes; however you can easily wait five minutes altogether until absolutely everthing is there!!


It might be a little more expensive - however - it is absolutely worth it! -Recently I had a FOMA Variant 111 glossy; but there is no way to the Ilford MG Warmtone!!


Anyway - I wish you much success with your enlargements!

Jan-Peter

 

[miha]

Thanks Jan-Peter, my experience is limited to the old version of the Ilford Warmtone paper which had nice finish but the whites were too yellow for my taste. I know the base is different now. My favorite WT paper (Adox Variotone) has gone up in price so I started to look elsewhere. These papers are cousins anyway, still the base and gloss may differ, hence my question.

 

[Jan-Peter]

Hi, miha;

as what I know is that Bergger paper is also produced on Macclesfield site by Harman Technology company that bought up Kentmere and runs Ilford. However their quality is definitely excellent - and European!


Jan-Peter

 

[K-G]

According to my experience ( somewhat limited ! ) the new Berger CB has a more pronounced warm tone than ADOX MCC 110 but less than ILFORD MGWT . Berger seems to go in a more brown direction than the slightly dark yellow that I get from MGWT . All Three papers are absolutely wonderful to work with and it is more a question of what tone a certain motif requires. I intend to make a more systematic test with both neutral tone and warmtone developer. Whenever that is done , I will try to get back with the reults.

Karl-Gustaf

 

[miha]

Thanks K-G, can you perhaps also comment on the paper thickness and gloss of the Bergger paper compared to the other two. My limited experience with the Forte made Bregger papers tells me they were the most beautiful papers when handholded and I wonder whether Bergger succeeded in bringing back any of these qualities?

 

[K-G]

ADOX MCC 110 , New Berger CB and ILFORD MGWT have almost the same glossy surface when air dried and flatened in a hot press against archival board. According to specifications MCC 110 and MGWT have a 255 g/sqm paper base and New Berger CB 280 g/sqm . When you hold them in your hand, it is very difficult to tell any difference.
I still have a few sheets of the old Berger Prestige CB and it feels slightly more heavy and a bit stiffer. The glossy type has a surface that I feel is somewhere in between the gloss of the other three and a semimatt paper.
When it comes to base tone I would rank the papers as follows ( from most neutral to most creamy warm ) :
ILFORD MGIV - ADOX MCC 110 - New BERGER CB - ILFORD MGWT - Old BERGER Prestige CB .
These are my subjective opinions after developing under comparable conditions and as I wrote before I will try to evaluate the papers in both neutral and warmtone developer.
I don't have enough experience from toning to make any comments on that.
When I have more results I will be back, but it may take some time. Whatever paper you choose I'm quite sure you will be satisfied . They are excelent, all of them.
Good luck !

Karl-Gustaf

 

[miha]

Thank you Karl-Gustaf, much appreciated. The 255 vs 280 g/sqm can possibly be an error.

 

[MartinP]

Don't forget to try the Ilford ART300 as well. There is a slight texture to the gloss, which may or may not be a positive feature for you. The base is noticeably more substantial than FB Warmtone.