Which single RC Paper for Sales and Exhibition and why?

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,848
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format
I am looking for updated recommendation of which single RC Paper you would chose as your best choice for important sales and prime exhibition print submissions.

I currently use my old supply of papers, which include Ilford RCII and I am wanting to buy fresh, as needed, in larger sized papers, but I think my old knowledge and opinions have no kept up with advancements in Quality RC Papers, especially multi grades, which I do use.

If you have other recommendations, I'd like to hear them out, as well.

I do have both Ilford and Kodak, etc grading filters, in good shape, but if any of you enhance your enlarger incandescent light, say, with a Yellow filter, for example, I'd like to know how and why you chose to do so especially with multi-grade papers.

Cheers and Godspeed.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,939
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
The newest Ilford RC - sometimes referred to as Multigrade V - appears to be a clear improvement over Multigrade IV and will be substantially better than old Multigrade II.
I'm still using up a fair stock of the Ilford Multigrade IV RC paper that was current until recently.
My favourite version of that paper is the Cooltone version - it tones really well.
I still get good results from Oriental RC papers that I have, but they aren't as available as they were.
I use Variable contrast light sources that use built in dichroic filters - either specific to variable contrast black and white papers or colour heads used for the same purpose. The Kodak variable contrast filters won't match well any of the current papers. As under the lens filters fade, if the Ilford filters are several years old, you should consider replacing them.
A yellow filter will just make it difficult to achieve high contrast.
I make all my presentation prints on RC.
 

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,685
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
Although I usually use FB for presentation prints, when I use RC I use Foma. Foma works with Ifford filters on my D3 or my LP color head, tones well, other than Galleria I've never cared for Ilford papers. My current developers are Clayton P20 and Cool Tone. I also get decent results with B&H Multitone, not sure who makes it, but rather nice, but doesnt tone as well as Foma.
 

removed account4

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 21, 2003
Messages
29,832
Format
Hybrid
If they still make it look for their rc portfolio paper, it was thick like double weight FB paper and beautiful !
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,939
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Ilford Portfolio - it is MGIV on a heavier base.
 

NB23

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
4,307
Format
35mm
The Ilfospeed papers that I used up are so good! So nice to the touch, too!

Otherwise, I’d recomend Ilford portfolio Rc paper, which is heavier stock than the regular papers. 250gsm vs. 190gms
 

Grim Tuesday

Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2018
Messages
737
Location
Philadelphia
Format
Medium Format
I currently use Foma (well, Arista, but same thing) papers all around. Ilford was good when I saw it, but not so much better than Foma that I had to throw away from Foma and buy it. But I am now running a bit low, so I am in the same situtation as OP @MattKing, what do you feel the major improvements of Ilford V is over Ilford IV?

By the way, does anyone know who makes Adorama paper and/or have experience with it? It is so much cheaper than anywhere else that it may be in the class that I don't feel bad "wasting" it, so I am more willing to make more test prints and end up with something better than I would with a more expensive paper.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
52,939
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Grim Tuesday said:
@MattKing, what do you feel the major improvements of Ilford V is over Ilford IV?
Click to expand...
I'm relying on Ilford's info and the reports here on Photrio. I need to use up some paper before I buy the new stuff!
 

Alan9940

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
2,421
Location
Arizona
Format
Multi Format
Grim Tuesday said:
what do you feel the major improvements of Ilford V is over Ilford IV?
Click to expand...

Not Matt, but in my experience the Ilford V reveals smoother tonal transitions, has better blacks, and tones more to my liking.
 
OP
OP

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,848
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format
Alan9940 said:
Not Matt, but in my experience the Ilford V reveals smoother tonal transitions, has better blacks, and tones more to my liking.
Click to expand...

That's useful, as I am still working on Ilford MG IV.

Cheers.
 

pentaxuser

Member
Joined
May 9, 2005
Messages
19,956
Location
Daventry, No
Format
35mm
If you are selling prints and doing exhibitions and thus depend on knowing a particular paper so that consistent and reliable results can be guaranteed then It makes sense to experiment with the range of RC papers such as Foma, Adox and Ilford to see which works best for you . It sounds as if Ilford graded paper has been your material and on that basis it would seem that the latest level Ilford RCVC might be the best choice.

Ilford has put a lot of effort into its latest RC paper and on the basis that we wish to reward investment in improvement, the balance would seem to be tipped in Ilford favour or it would be if it were me.

I confess that as a patriot I want to put the "Great " back into Great Britain of course and thus reflect the "zeitgeist" in the U.S. We more diffident Brits just have less baseball caps and flags.

pentaxuser
 
OP
OP

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,848
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format
In the main, when I do make a print, that I intend to hang, gift or 'archive', I want to use the best quality silver printing paper I can, that is no based on extra special consideration, of price, name or gimic, but solid performance.

I've sold prints in the past, but I have had a 'thing' about selling RC prints, with a mind to what I learned back in the 1970's comparing RC vs. fiber based prints suitable for best value representative of the photographers art.

I'm afraid I have always been bigoted that way, but judging RC papers by Fifty plus year old bias is quite stupid of me, and though I've printed many thousands of RC prints, it's high time I reeducate myself.

Thanks for your input, I'd like to know more of your opinions and experience.

Cheers.
 

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,685
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
I agree that RC paper has improved, 50 years is a long time. In terms of permanency, I have Kodak Polycontrast prints for the early 70s, stored in the dark 1st generation are just fine, on the other hand I have GAF vari contrast RC some are Ok, others are fading, others the emulsion has cracked. I haven't sold a print in 10 years or so, the gallery in Scottsdale I worked with at the time only wanted "archival" FB prints. I do see RC prints on displays at various museums including the Getty.
 

DREW WILEY

Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2011
Messages
13,934
Format
8x10 Format
It's likely that RC will always be the unwanted step-child when it comes to collectables, fair or not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…