What fibre-base paper has the highest black density?

Leigh B · Sep 25, 2016

I gave my photo work a rest for a couple of years, and find that a few new papers have appeared.
In the past I've used a variety of papers, preferring graded Oriental Seagull and similar, but those are NLA.

I use Fuji Acros, which can achieve a density above 4.0.
I'd like a paper that will come close to that range.

Any recommendations as to max black / best tonal scale?

TIA

- Leigh

miha · Sep 25, 2016

No paper will come even close to 4.0, most go above 2.0 though.

Bob Carnie · Sep 25, 2016

michael_r said:
Depending on how you measure reflection density, most current papers will top out in the 2-2.2 range, with warmer toned papers being on the higher end and cold toned papers on the lower end. Selenium toning can increase max black slightly.

Thats interesting I learned something today, I would have thought cold toned papers to have a higher dmax.

Bob Carnie · Sep 25, 2016

michael_r said:
It can depend on the paper, post-development toning, and reflection density measurement, but for example using Ilford FB papers and my measurements, MGWT has the deepest max black, followed by Classic, followed by Cooltone. I recall also that in Richard Henry's book (reflection density measurements of a bunch of papers at the time), Agfa Portriga (another warm tone paper) had the deepest max black.

Note however as density increases, we are less and less able to discern differences. Perception can also change depending on cold, warm etc. So I would not make too much of small measured differences. Once you're at these d-max densities, all other things being equal you can't see the difference between say 2.1 and 2.15 so while it is relatively common for people to place a high importance on "max black", I would not choose a paper that way. They all get black enough.

Yes I totally agree, I am learning over time that with my split printing that pumping a 5 filter blast first gets you to the black that anyone can accept, but subsequent blasts start creeping into the low end
and altering the look of a print. For me I like to blast till I start losing low end detail and then I back off.

RalphLambrecht · Sep 25, 2016

Leigh B said:
I gave my photo work a rest for a couple of years, and find that a few new papers have appeared.
In the past I've used a variety of papers, preferring graded Oriental Seagull and similar, but those are NLA.

I use Fuji Acros, which can achieve a density above 4.0.
I'd like a paper that will come close to that range.

Any recommendations as to max black / best tonal scale?

TIA

- Leigh

all papers I know of max out at about 2.2.ironiccally, inkjet papers have a higher Dmax but a Dmax of 2.15 is all you should need.

Leigh B · Sep 25, 2016

Hi guys.

I prefer neutral tone, with cold being a distant second, and warm not under consideration.
Should have mentioned that in the OP.

Acros is a marvelous film, holding highlight detail like no other film I've used.
You just can't blow the highlights even if you try.

So the challenge is compressing a usable 3.7-3.8 d range to a print that won't lose either end.

I used mostly Ilford MG in recent years and will probably continue with that initially.
But I don't want to ignore new offerings that might work even better in this situation.

Thanks for all the insight.

- Leigh

What fibre-base paper has the highest black density?

Leigh B

miha

Bob Carnie

Bob Carnie

RalphLambrecht

Leigh B

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