Which Paper??

[tripleteer]

Hi,
I am starting developing black and white film and making enlargements! I will be using a LPLC6700 colour enlarger! Which papers would you recommend for me. I used ilford papers many years ago and I was happy with results, thanks for any advice offered Paul.

 

[Lachlan Young]

I'd start with the regular Ilford Multigrade resin coated paper - good, solid, dependable & choice of 3 surfaces. Nice straightforward way to get you back in the saddle.

 

[etn]

Congrats and welcome to the club, you will find this very addictive!

The first question to answer is whether you want fiber or resin coated. Fiber requires more thorough washing and a press to keep the prints flat while drying. The second question is what kind of finish do you want (matte, glossy etc.) I suggest you buy some sheet of each and try - don't start with a 250 sheets box I personally fell in love with Adox MCP310 (resin coated, glossy). Have a look at Fotoimpex's website, you can see what they have and compare prices also.

I also recomment to read Way Beyond Monochrome by Ralph Lambrecht (member of this forum) and Chris Woodhouse.

Hope this helps

 

[tripleteer]

Thanks for the response chaps much appreciated. Paul.

 

[FerruB]

Hi!
Resin coated is for sure a good start, but I will suggest you to give a try with fiber based paper as well. The extra effort (and money...) to dry FB paper flat is well worth the amazing texture and blacks in my opinion.
I use fiber based paper for prints (mainly Multigrade FB classic Glossy) and resin coated for contact sheets (as well ilford).
Cheers and enjoy!

 

[darkosaric]

If the money is not a problem: Ilford Multigrade. If the money is an issue: Foma papers.

 

[Slixtiesix]

Since you live in England, best use Ilford!

 

[R.Gould]

A good starting point is RC , personally I would use Kentmere VC Select, it is a quality paper made by Harman and is a great every day paper, available in both Glossy and Fine lustre, and is faster than Ilford MG4, for me, i use mainly FB paper these days using Ilford MG classic, MG art 300, which is a lovely paper and reminds me a lot of the sadly long gone and missed Kentmere art range, or Adox MCC 110, glossy for the classic or adox, the art 300 is a photo rag base and is matt and very warm
Richard

 

[tripleteer]

I like your photo's Richard! I like folky stuff too, I play Irish Tenor banjo and guitar. Thanks for the tips.Paul.

 

[tripleteer]

A good starting point is RC , personally I would use Kentmere VC Select, it is a quality paper made by Harman and is a great every day paper, available in both Glossy and Fine lustre, and is faster than Ilford MG4, for me, i use mainly FB paper these days using Ilford MG classic, MG art 300, which is a lovely paper and reminds me a lot of the sadly long gone and missed Kentmere art range, or Adox MCC 110, glossy for the classic or adox, the art 300 is a photo rag base and is matt and very warm
Richard

Thanks Richard. Paul.

 

[BMbikerider]

I would also endorse Kentmere. Cheaper than Ilford and in my personal view a lot better.

 

[tedr1]

At the beginning keep things simple and easy, Ilford MG RC paper, my favorite is the pearl surface, it is in between glossy (which is VERY glossy) and matte which is very matte. Use Ilford chemicals. Follow the instructions carefully. Keep notes (I like to write exposure details on the back using a 6B pencil). The book Black and White Photography by Horenstein was written for the beginner.

 

[Slixtiesix]

I would also endorse Kentmere. Cheaper than Ilford and in my personal view a lot better.

BMbikerider, What do you find better specifically?

 

[BMbikerider]

It is (or was) at least one stop faster. Grade for grade the contrast was better, with a true black when needed. Grade 5 which admitedly I hardly ever used was a true G5 whilst Ilford was at the most G4.5
Since Ilford have assumed ownership the speed is about the same and the contrast is not what it was. I can show this because when Kentmere were still in production of the original paper. the contrast grades using a colour head or filters were slightly different.