Questions on Enlarging Papers

[ROL]

I use Arista EDU RC for proofing. It's the cheapest I can find, and way good enough for proofs. I get the big box.

I have a couple of big 250 sheet boxes of Ilford Multigrade RC, obtained from a going out of (the analog) business/moving sale (the now defunct Calypso Imaging) that I only use for contacting roll films. Some call those proofs, but in any case my supply will probably last 20 more years at the rate I shoot and process 120. I only proof on fiber, the cheapest and most easily obtainable of which, for me, is 8X10 Slavich Unibrom – Gr. 3. Proofing allows me to determine the fine art potential of any negative, 35mm through LF. Since part of that decision making process of making fine prints on fiber papers requires seeing it on a fiber paper, proofing on fiber eliminates one step in the darkroom. But then that's my workflow.

 

[eddie]

Never found film or development even remotely correlated to enlarging papers.

Either I'm misunderstanding what you're trying to say, or I completely disagree. Film development does have a correlation to the paper you choose. That's why, when testing, you test on the specific paper you want to use. I rarely stray from my preferred paper but, when I do, the same negative will print differently on each paper. Usually it's seen in the highlights- what prints as a VII on MGIV may be an VIII on another paper. If the other paper became my primary choice, I'd have to alter my film development to retain the VII I want in the print.

 

[Klainmeister]

Either I'm misunderstanding what you're trying to say, or I completely disagree. Film development does have a correlation to the paper you choose. That's why, when testing, you test on the specific paper you want to use. I rarely stray from my preferred paper but, when I do, the same negative will print differently on each paper. Usually it's seen in the highlights- what prints as a VII on MGIV may be an VIII on another paper. If the other paper became my primary choice, I'd have to alter my film development to retain the VII I want in the print.

Yeah...that's kinda what I was getting at. I know that when I initially switched from D76 to PMK, the way the types of negatives reacted to the same papers were not dramatic per se, but noticeable nevertheless.

 

[mwdake]

I too recently tried Adorama house brand paper in RC and Fiber.
I was impressed, especially with the fiber matte as it has a nice warm tone but not too much; the glossy fiber is neutral tone.
They have sample packs very cheap so you can play with it to see if it is too your liking for not much money.

 

[HelenOster]

I too recently tried Adorama house brand paper in RC and Fiber.
I was impressed, especially with the fiber matte as it has a nice warm tone but not too much; the glossy fiber is neutral tone.

Good to hear!