VC Papers - As Good As Graded?

[seadrive]

Years ago, variable contrast papers were generally considered to be inferior to graded papers. Is this still the case, or has the VC technology improved to the point where they're just as good as graded papers?

Found an interesting read on local contrast and VC papers: click here to read

 

[ooze]

In case you intend to base your choice on the replies you get here, why take someone else's word for it instead of simply trying? There are only very few graded papers left anyway.

Recently I compared Ilford's RC Ilfospeed paper with their flagship fiber based MGIV...I was in for a surprise.

Cheers

 

[artonpaper]

I've been making B&W prints since the 1950s and as you say for the longest time VC papers were inferior to graded. That changed at some point, late 80s - early 90s, and VC papers are my choice now. I can make better prints by using half grades and splitting filters for dodging burning etc. Prior to using VC, we had to modify our developers and do things like sponge hot strong developer onto local areas. And then there was the practical side of it, not having to stock so many different grades. So, IMHO VC papers rule.

 

[brian steinberger]

In case you intend to base your choice on the replies you get here, why take someone else's word for it instead of simply trying? There are only very few graded papers left anyway.

Recently I compared Ilford's RC Ilfospeed paper with their flagship fiber based MGIV...I was in for a surprise.

Cheers

Please explain..

 

[Bill Burk]

Today's MG paper is very good.

I target Ilford Galerie Graded FB paper and use MGIV FB paper only when I have to, usually when I need grades 3 1/2 to 4.

I don't have any negatives that require 00 grade, so haven't seen that curve anomaly. If I did have some very long scale negs I would be very interested in printing them on Platinum/Palladium.

Other than slight surface texture difference and some difference in the way Selenium toner takes... I find the results I get from MGIV indistinguishable from the results I get with Galerie.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

In my opinion no, but you've really got to try things out for yourself. Excellent prints can be made on virtually any of the papers available today, if you know how to use them. If you're looking for a new paper, the best method is just to buy a bunch of 25-sheet packs of 8x10" and make the best prints you can with each of them from a few standard negs, then keep a reference folder with prints labeled on the back.

 

[seadrive]

Other than slight surface texture difference and some difference in the way Selenium toner takes... I find the results I get from MGIV indistinguishable from the results I get with Galerie.

So... if you can't tell the difference between Galerie and MGIV, is it the texture difference and the way the toner takes that makes you use MGIV only when you have to?

Thanks to all for the info!

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I have used VC paper for the last few years, excellant stuff.

Jeff

 

[matti]

Only me that find it more fun with fixed grade papers? And fun is my fuel. So for me, fixed grade sometimes equals better.
/matti

 

[Bill Burk]

So... if you can't tell the difference between Galerie and MGIV, is it the texture difference and the way the toner takes that makes you use MGIV only when you have to?

Thanks to all for the info!

Those two differences are trivial and do not make me prefer Graded paper.

I don't know if I can rationally explain my preference... Here's a couple thoughts.

I like knowing in advance what paper a negative might fit. For example I just developed some N+2 shots to N+1 so I expect them to print on Grade 3.

I can see when I need to dodge and burn more clearly when I use Graded papers. A test print on MG where dodging and burning are indicated, could also be improved by changing filters. So the choice of how to improve the print is not as clear to me when using MG. This clarity of direction with Graded paper, could be framed as an unecessary constraint, so depending on your point of view this could be an advantage for MG.

 

[M. Lointain]

I think graded papers are better but not by much. That being said, I use VC paper because of its flexibility.

 

[David Allen]

What does better mean?

The theory paper link sent me to sleep! - probably great maths but . . . and who, working with modern materials, ever needs Grade 00 these days?

In the real world, the 'best' paper is the one that suits what you want to achieve.

For me this Adox Fine Print Vario Classic developed in Dokumol. The reason is simply that I like punchy prints with detail throughout the range and I can achieve this simply with this paper exposing on a hard grade followed by a little burning in of very bright highlights with a softer grade. I find this is much more effective for my printing style than using graded paper. However, as I indicated at the start of this post "best", "better than" or "superior to" are all subjective decisions that only you as the photographer can make.

Best,

David
www.dsallen.de

 

[RalphLambrecht]

i prefer v-c papers, be cause of their flexibility to get all grades on one sheet of paper. that keeps dofging and burning to a minimumand dark room complexity managable.