oriental seagull rc paper wow!

I've been using a box of their glossy RC paper for my work prints lately and I have no complaints, but I have little else to compare it to
It was the cheapest paper I found of B&H, and a great bargain for it's high quality!

 

Japan, by Oriental Photo Ind. Co. Ltd. Check the label on the package.

 

I have noticed that it doesn't say Made in Japan on the package. That may be why people question where it is made.

Dave

 

Well, I have a package of Seagull Premium M-2 purchased about 8 months ago and it sure says MADE IN JAPAN on the label.
http://www.orientalphotousa.com/about.htm
Maybe some thing has changed, sorry.

 

My package, bought in May at Beau Photo in Vancouver was made in Japan.

 

The history of papers labeled 'Oriental', 'Seagull', 'Oriental Seagull' and 'New Seagull' is long and twisted. They were/are not all made by the same firm, and papers with identical names aren't identical papers. When the box design changes the paper maker changes, not to say the same box design may be sourced from more than one maker. TTBOMK Oriental/Seagull no longer exists as a paper making factory. There is a web site that gives the detailed history, but I can't locate it.

The original paper late-70's to early-80's was very highly regarded. Since then the paper has been quite variable. Quality control on some current batches isn't up to par.

At it's best I wouldn't rate the current incarnation any better than Ilford. Interestingly, in sensitometric testing Ilfospeed #2 has the same characteristic as Oriental G3.

 

But...Ilford DOES make paper (and possibly film) for other Brands, they say so. I am guessing they just don't make the same identical products they offer under their own Ilford label. Ilford is the vendor for Bergger papers, for instance. Under the Kentmere umbrella, they make some private label papers for Freestyle which are sold under the Arista label.

 

We actually don't know.