Paper choice for infra red film

sparx

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• May 26, 2004

• #1

I have just shot my first roll of Konica IR750 and have printed a couple of the pictures. As a relative beginner i'm using RC paper and have a choice of Jessops Gloss or Lustre. On my course last night we had a lively debate on the merits of these two finishes, especially when used for printing my IR pics.
I personally found the lustre finish a lot more appealing but was generally overruled.
What do you use and why? And can you perhaps recommend some papers i could try to expand my reportoire.

 

Sean

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• May 26, 2004

• #2

when I shot a lot of infrared I used Kodak Ektalure G with type2 developer. But that was a while ago and I'm not sure it's still available. I've never seen a better combination for IR..

 

Nige

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• May 26, 2004

• #3

doesn't matter what the film is, I prefer lower sheen surfaces.

 

FrankB

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• May 26, 2004

• #4

Personal preference with RC papers is for a pearl or lustre surface. Gloss is (IHMO) just too damn shiny!

I'm just starting out with FB and have only tried gloss finish with air drying. This is far better than the RC gloss, obviously I won't know how it compares with other FB finishes until I try 'em!

Personally I prefer Ilford Multigrade to the Jessops papers... ...and top tip if your college darkroom safelight is at all dodgy (ours was on a par with a sunlamp!); Ilford Multigrade RC Warmtone resists safelight flashing / fogging much better than the normal or Cooltone variants.

 

Leon

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• May 26, 2004

• #5

I'm with the glossy brigade ... for FB anyway - a glossy finish gives much deeper blacks, althgouh I've only used ilford MGFB, so cant comment on others. I only use RC for contact/proof sheets, and do use glossy for that - only 'cos that is all I've got!

 

OP

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sparx

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• May 26, 2004

• #6

I have used Ilford in the past. Got the Jessops as we have to show that we have used different papers and i don't mind it. I would agree the glossy isn't as good looking as Ilfords but as I said, i prefer the lustre finish anyway.

 

Last edited by a moderator: May 26, 2004

FrankB

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• May 26, 2004

• #7

If your neg has sufficient punch and you're looking for something different, try Kentmere Art Classic. It's only available (correct me if I'm wrong, someone!) in a hardish grade 2 and is triple-weight FB, but the surface texture is wonderful, sort of like good quality watercolour paper. Works really well for creamy, dreamy, soft-focus images and (I'm led to believe) tones nicely too.

 

Ole

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• May 26, 2004

• #8

Another vote for lustre RC or glossy FB here. Fortezo Museum in FB, and Varycon RC. They both respond well to lith-developing, which is one of the really great ways to print IR negatives.

 

AllanD

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• May 26, 2004

• #9

If I'm printing something that is going behind glass, I won't use glossy RC but I will use air dried glossy FB. Glossy RC is too prone to "hot spots" for my liking.

I love the current Jessop RC in the lustre finish. However, I have tried not to become too attached to "rebadged" papers, as there seems to be more scope for unannounced product changes. I have heard it conjectured that Jessop's is rebadging a major brand product, but only they know for sure, and (I guess) the situation may change at any time.

 

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sparx

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• May 26, 2004

• #10

AllanD, that is something i hadn't considered. I won't take too much notice of my notes then. I think i will soon be moving onto FB paper for my own personal picture stash at least. The general consensus is FB in glossy so i will be giving it a go.

 

Shmoo

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• May 26, 2004

• #11

I love Konica 750 IR film...I use it at ISO 50 with a 25 red filter and meter thru the lens...works beautifully. Since the film is not as contrasty as the Kodak HIE film, you may find that you'll want a higher contrast in your papers. My personal preference is to use Oriental Seagull Graded papers, either 3 or 4 with a combination of Dektol and Selectol Soft paper developers (2 minutes in Dektol, water rinse, then 1 min in Selectol Soft). You can also use a variable contrast paper and use a higher contrast filter on exposure.