Ilford RC MG Pearl Surface

[taffy]

I've printed on the glossy versions of both RC and FB and I'm considering Ilford Multrigrade RC in Pearl surface. Anyone have experience with this? How about the Ilford RC Portfolio series (double weight)?

A short review will be most appreciated. Thanks folks! :p

Taffy
P.S. I plan to develop this in Dektol 1:1

[boilerdoc2]

The Pearl is probably the best all around surface that Ilford makes. Be sure and tone it slightly with dilute selenium for best black.
Steve

[ddutchison]

It's my favorite surface for display prints on RC paper. I wouldn't worry about double weight, RC paper dries pretty flat.

[taffy]

Just my luck. The store ran our of pearl and only has satin. Any views on Ilford RC Satin? Sorry to change the subject of the thread so quickly! ...but i will get my hands on Pearl as soon as it comes back in stock!

Taffy

[markinlondon]

Taffy,

try the Warmtone RC. It tones beautifully and is very flexible. The latest B&W magazine (UK version) has a test of the new Ilford warmtone and cooltone developers using this emulsion (albeit on fibre base) which makes very interesting reading. Pearl is my favourite surface for display. I prefer gloss for punchy street type pics. Satin surface is more like FB semi-matt, pearl is about halfway between the two.

Mark

[pesphoto]

For RC paper Pearl is my choice of surfaces. Its funny because I prefer the glossy surface with fiber paper. With fiber the glossy just seems to have better tones, but its just the opposite with RC.

[ddutchison]

Satin looks artificially textured to my eye - they might have sample prints of the various surfaces, so you could judge for your self.

[PlantedTao]

double weight is not worth the extra cash.
the pearl is my favorite RC paper and have gotten the most compliments when showing prints.

[FrankS]

Yep, Ilford RC multigrade Pearl all the way. I haven't bought anything else in years and years.