Ultrafine paper.....

[CMoore]

My search did not turn up very much that was not more than 1-2 years old.
Just wondering what your guys opinions are...regarding Ultrafine paper in 2018.?
Thank You

 

[btaylor]

I am curious too, I just bought a box of the VC RC and I haven’t tried it yet, maybe this weekend. I want to try the fiber too.

 

[esearing]

Someone (Nathan McCreery I think) recommended the Silver Eagle FB Glossy paper from Ultrafine, but it has been out of stock until recently.
I personally did not like Ultrafine VC Elite RC - it never really reached black with LPD so always looked a little flat to me.

 

[chris77]

make your own!

 

[Maris]

I got a few hundred sheets of Silver Eagle VC FB a couple of weeks ago. The designation "Ultrafine" is omitted from the box label so just "Silver Eagle". In the darkroom it works perfectly, no quirks, no vices, no particular character. It's a neutral paper that covers all the contrast steps from -1 to 5+ (Ilford filter set) and does what it is supposed to do. My only complaint is that it tends to float rather than sink in the archival washer.

 

[CMoore]

Thanks for the Opinions/Experiences.....

 

[chip j]

LPD won't give good blacks, in my experience.

 

[CMoore]

Hydroquinone seems to be a common component of developers...that is about the total of my "knowledge".
Is Ilford Multi Grade similar to LPD.?

 

[Paul Howell]

I've used Ultrafine VC RC for years, not sure who coats it for Photo Warehouse, a very middle of the road paper, VC grades seems to match what I get with Foma. I use for proofs sheets and working prints. The only issue I've had is that the last box of 11X14 has some fog. I just retested by Ultrafine and Multitone and found that I get max black with Dektol, no issues. I also use B&H Multitone, looks very similar to Ultrafine, don't know who coats. For graded fiber based paper I"m back to Foma, B&H was selling Slavich, no longer listed, down to last 4 or 5 sheets so just re ordered Foma Grade 2 and 3. Not very familiar with Ilford's developers, have used LDP but over the decades just keep coming to back to Dektol.

 

[removed account4]

can't say i have used their current papers but i have used their "older" papers for a long long time.
they used to say " made in england " on the box ... and in the ad/blurb on their website...

 

[esearing]

LPD won't give good blacks, in my experience.

It depends on the paper and LPD dilution. Statements below are based on my personal testing over the last couple of years. YMMV.
MGFB Classic in LPD 1:1 has nice open shadows and true blacks even in dark shadow areas with detail. I get no green cast that others mention.
MGFB Warmtone used 1:1 is almost the same but has less blackness in the dark tones.
Then if you use LPD 1:2, 1:3, 1:4 you get a softer (aka warmer) tone and a longer development time is needed as well as an adjustment to exposure.
Then depending how you tone the paper afterward you can get even more variance. Selenium 1:20 for 2 minutes is enough to shift the color to colder, but 5 mins begins the shift to warmer.
For a richer glossy black with Classic I like the PF/Ansco 130 formula - it pops. I may try it with my old RC paper to see if it makes a difference.
Ilford multigrade developer gives a good basic tonality overall. Great for contact prints on RC or FB paper
Liquidol is ok, not exciting, but works fast.

Point is, you won't know unless you buy it and try it with a couple of different developers to see if it matches your personal aesthetic for a print.