Visible differences between RC and fibre

Dear

I've been learning to print on RC last 1.5 years and did fibre paper for the first time yesterday. However, I have a exposure/contrast variation. I did a print on MG IV RC Deluxe and on FB Warmtone Fibre both on 8x10.

It was very different to develop it, and the paper feels lot's better when it's dry... But for the visible differences I don't really notice too much. It feels like fibre is sharper (but is that possible or maybe focus error?).

I attached a picture of the prints below. Left is RC, right is fibre. I toned the fibre print with 1+19 selenium (Rollei) but the borders were getting dirty (looks like sand but you don't feel it on the paper) after 10 mins, so I pulled it out.

I really like the fibre stuff and it looks good, but leaving out archival quality. Does it really look so much better then RC? Because I can't see too much difference... or my eyes aren't trained enough to see it... I like the fibre one better but I guess that because of the exposure/contrast

Thanks

Looks like your contrast is boosted a bit in the fiber print and that can lead to a "sharper" look. Also, did you do a separate focus on each paper?

Actually it looks to me like the fiber has better detail in the skin, but the hair needs a touch more exposure as it's a little light. The RC has the better exposure for the hair, but the skin looks blown out a little. They do not react exactly the same and you do need to do some tweaking from the times and contrast filters used with RC when you go to fiber. Overall, though, I think that these days the RC paper is very good and that fiber may not be "better" in a quantifiable way. Personally, I prefer fiber because I get more feeling of depth in the image when I print it correctly. No matter which you decide to use, practicing and making little adjustments can help to get better looking prints. It depends on which YOU decide you like the look of.

i think you nailed it, there really isn't much of a difference, unless you like one over the other,
then you will always notice the difference you decide there is.
i really can't tell from your uploads. i am guessing that if they were both printed the same
focused the same, toned the same and photographed the same ( without flash glare ) they would look sort of the same.

me, it really doesn't matter much fb or rc. both look nice to my eyes, i like the convenience of RC but i also like
being part of that 170 year continum printing on paper ... but that is just me.

some folks love rc some fb and they are hardcore about why one is better than the other

rc is great stuff these days, even if you are talking archival-stuff. kodak told me it will last longer than FB.

good to see you having fun !

RC paper feels slicker. Fiber paper is usually heavier. I like to look of a fiber print better, but I cannot qualify the look in words.

JW PHOTO said:

Looks like your contrast is boosted a bit in the fiber print and that can lead to a "sharper" look. Also, did you do a separate focus on each paper?

Click to expand...

yes. was about two weeks difference in time in both prints.

thanks for the comments, it all makes sense now! I will try some more fiber and better exposures and see what I like the most, the fact that you have to be much more careful with fibre makes it a challenge.. which I like !

It is not the same if you write on credit card or at the sticky. RC can't be the same as FB. At least for me, but I'm not the paper expert.

The increased contrast & warm tone of the FB suits the image pretty well, at least in my eyes. I like the surface of air-dried Adox MCC but I will print on RC any day due anyways, it's handy, quick and does the job.

Once they're framed under glass the tactile difference is moot. Image-wise, they are just a bit different.
Longevity of a properly process FB print is known, RC is said to last as well.

RC is definitely OOF.

Jessestr said:

Dear

but the borders were getting dirty (looks like sand but you don't feel it on the paper)

Thanks

Click to expand...

I dont't think that you may distict RC and Baryta once they are framed, und glass. Of course, here we have difference, in gradation and due to the toning.

Baryta need much mure time for rinsing. Your dirty borders still contain silver, wich gets visible when toned. In fact, toning is a good test for proper rinsing.