what is Ilford Velvet Stipple paper like?

[Treymac]

Hey guys. First post here, but not the last. Film photography is so much fun.

Im in my second course of film photography and have just used basic Ilford RC vc paper in Pearl, and Oriental fiber paper in Glossy. I want to try some new paper, and I came across some five year old Ilford Velvet Stipple paper. I think its called Bromide or something like that. It sounds really interesting and Ide like to try it for my last project, but Ide like to get an idea of what its like before I buy it. I havent had much luck on the web on getting information on it. Does it have an rc pearl, or fiber glossy, like finish?

Thanks.

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to APUG!

IIRC, velvet stipple is a quite textured, fibre based paper. It's texture is much more obvious than pearl. It is no longer being made by Ilford.

Matt

 

[tony lockerbie]

As Matt said, but I don't believe that Ilford has made this paper for ages, could be wrong though. You may need to check that it is only five years old, as the paper may be much older, giving you sub standard results.

Tony

 

[Martin Reed]

It was popular back in the days of crude emulsions as a way of disguising graininess, so that should be a clue what to expect. It's textured, but still with a high sheen so detail tends to get blurred & lost in the pits.

Nobody really mourns the Ilford version - there are several alternatives in stipple made by East European manufacturers, but not enough interest to get the surface going again, at least in the UK.

As stated, if it's Ilford I reckon it could be a lot more than 5 years old, so maybe not the best way of introducing yourself to fine printing. The Oriental paper sounds a better bet, but if it's original stuff in silver envelopes (the '10's) or blue boxes (the '50's) it's getting on in years as well. But it does seem to keep ok, if it's original it will also lith process beautifully.

 

[Treymac]

Ok, thanks guys.

I don't think I've ever actually used a textured paper yet, so I'm not too sure on what paper texture is like. Is that how it feels to the touch?

For my last project, which will be 15 prints on fiber, I'm going to be using Fuji Acros film since I haven't used that yet, and I wanted to use a new paper along with it. This is the Craigslist listing for it, http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/pho/1439428984.html, if you want to look. It's pretty cheap, and I think I can probably talk him down to maybe $20, maybe even $15. I might buy it just to check it out if I can get the price down.

 

[steven_e007]

I mourn the loss of velvet stipple!

I liked it a lot. I've never seen it in an Ilford version, though? For me it was always Kentmere (RIP).

I suppose it is a fashion thing. As everyone became 'sharpness obsessed' textured surfaces became untrendy...

But personally I think it is an extra dimension that can add a lot to a print. Certain prints, anyway. I wish there were still more surfaces out there...

 

[Simon R Galley]

This is very, very old paper:

In excess of 15 years : Please do a process check to ensure it is usable, it will most certainly have a significant level of fog.

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

 

[Martin Reed]

I mourn the loss of velvet stipple!

Foma do several velvet stipples; the cold-tone one is Variant 113, and the slightly more matt version is 123, which is similar to the old Portriga Rapid 118 (filigran semi-matt, it was called).
In warm-tone there's Fomatone Classic 133.
There's an RC stipple in warm-tone, Fomatone 333 - we've actually got some of that in stock in 16x20" 10 sheets. Any of the others could be ordered in if you don't mind a bit of a wait.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I remember it being an interesting surface. I haven't seen it for years.

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

It's very expensive too for being such old paper. I'd much rather use the Foma 123 or 113. Russian manufacturer Slavich has some interesting surfaces too if you can find it.
The Ilford paper is a crap shoot as to whether it is usable or not.

 

[Martin Reed]

It's very expensive too for being such old paper....

If we had opened packs in our store we'd sell them for a pound or two, not top-dollar prices like that. Also, with opened packs it's quite common for some non-photographer to have had a look inside in daylight. If it's work that you're going to be marked on I'd recommend fresh paper, an unusual surface won't be a plus point if the basic quality isn't there.

 

[Bob Carnie]

Wait a minute
I used to use Velvet Stipple and Ilfomar on a regular basis, are you implying that I am very very old. geeeezzz

This is very, very old paper:

In excess of 15 years : Please do a process check to ensure it is usable, it will most certainly have a significant level of fog.

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

It's all a matter of interpretation, I think. Bob, you'll never be old.

Wait a minute
I used to use Velvet Stipple and Ilfomar on a regular basis, are you implying that I am very very old. geeeezzz

 

[MattKing]

I too had seen that listing.

I could be wrong, but I think that the "William" who placed the Craigslist listing has been selling a fair amount of photographic and darkroom equipment and supplies recently.

I'm wondering whether this is from a recently closed lab.

Matt

 

[Treymac]

Ok, thanks guys. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to get the paper now. It's not worth it since I can't afford to take a chance on paper that might not work.