Your opinion, which paper is better?

I'm getting ready to do some 16x20 work in the darkroom. I've been using Acros 100 120 film. I'm looking for a paper that will give me excellent results. I want to have some mid to super contrasty results. I'm kinda limited, I print at the local college. They have Kodak's contrast filter sets but not Ilfords. here's my delima. I've been using Kodak's Polycontrast IV RC (lustre) for 5x7's w/ my 35mm stuff. Anyways I love the results and I've gotten to know this paper pretty well. Especially in Dektol developer (the only paper developer available). I see that freestyle photo has this paper in 16x20, but I believe Kodak quit making paper. Anyways I'm reading the specs on Ilford's Multigrade IV RC. It say's it's variable contrast and I can use a color head or Ilford's filter kit, but what about Kodak's? are they all pretty much the same? which paper do you think I should get? do you think the learning curve going from kodak to ilford would be that hard (i have a "contest" im entering, begginning of feb. and have no time for "practice")? I'm just worried that if i get this ilford paper, i'll miss the contest and have wasted $100 on paper i don't even like. do you think it's in the same category as the kodak paper? will i get crazy contrast results if i want them with the filters, i mean BLACK BLACKS and WHITE WHITES? thx for the help. just ordering within a day or two and really only have a couple of sessions to print what i want. thx so much. justin

You can use Kodak filters with Ilford paper and vice versa. I've always preferred Ilford MG to Polycontrast, but in general I prefer graded papers to VC papers and fiber to RC.

There still should be some Polycontrast out there, though. If you're printing for a contest and don't have much time, I'd say to use what you're familiar with. Try B&H, Adorama, and all the other suppliers.

David,

Stupid question or two. (p.s. i haven't done much darkroom work). i've never looked into the differences between graded and vc. what's the main differences, and why do you like graded better? also i've used fiber once and didn't like it (but was probably doing it wrong). why do you like that better?

i'm not trying to be a smart ass or anything, just trying to learn from your preferences on what papers do what, etc. thx so much.

I think the premium graded papers produce richer blacks, but there are some negatives that really benefit from split-grade printing and other things you can do with VC paper, so I wouldn't rule either out.

I also prefer the tonality of the fiber based papers. I like the surface of glossy fiber that hasn't been ferrotyped, and I like the more subtle gradation of fiber papers. I also don't believe claims that the current RC papers are as archival as fiber, but that's a dead horse that I'd rather not beat. If you do a search on fiber and RC, you should turn up a number of threads on the topic. Most of the best silver gelatin prints you see in galleries and museums are on fiber.

Once you've finished this project, you might invest in a bunch of 25-sheet packs of the premium papers, and print one negative on each of them as well as you can, and decide what you like for yourself. Much of this is a matter of taste.

You have experience with Polycontrast. It makes sense to keep using it. Polycontrast has become a really good paper in recent years, and you can produce very high quality prints with it. You might get a slighly better print with a premium graded paper like Oriental Seagull, but there would be a learning curve.