POLL : The BEST enlarging paper is...

[tlitody]

Originally Posted by Stephan

Antarctican penguin hair paper is the best, hands down.



(Oh and RC VC for contact sheets )

damn, I've just been told about some alpacas that need shearing.

[tlitody]

Originally Posted by BILLC

Photo paper is like beer, the one you have at hand is good.
Bill

What? Like after 6 pints you couldn't tell the difference if you wanted to.

[crawdiddy]

I can't conscientiously vote in the poll, because I have never personally used every type mentioned. I've been called out on this by Keith previously.

I assume everyone else who DID respond, has used them all.

[zauhar]

So, do I take it that the cheap Arista paper I have been learning with is - well - cheap?

I just bought two packs of Ilford VC paper, now that I have a little experience.

Randy

[semilog]

Originally Posted by ChrisPlatt

Ilford MG IV RC Pearl is a great everyday paper.

I've used that for many years. Lately I've been enjoying the cold tone version.

[rogerzilla]

It *was* Agfa Record-Rapid grade 3

[semilog]

I miss the results that I used to get with Agfa Portriga, but I'm glad that it was taken off the market.

[cosmonaut]

I have no clue. My darkroom grand opening was only three weeks ago. I am new to the whole process. But until I get some seat time I am sticking to cheap multicontrast, Ilford though. I just need to know does the film and paper combo make a difference, what's best for Tmax and trix?

[Freakscene]

Originally Posted by crawdiddy

I assume everyone else who DID respond, has used them all.

Yes, I've used them all and still have them all on hand, some frozen. And I've used maybe 20 brands, most common, some rare, some very esoteric, and counting.

Marty

[crawdiddy]

Originally Posted by Freakscene

Yes, I've used them all and still have them all on hand, some frozen. And I've used maybe 20 brands, most common, some rare, some very esoteric, and counting.

Marty

And which one do you think is best?

[ARCHIVIST]

This poll is useless unless you differentiate between fibre base and resin coated papers.

[Turtle]

if I have to vote on a current paper, I would struggle to choose between the new Adox MCC and ilford MGWT as all rounders. Some of the Foma papers are lovely but more specialist in most cases.

[Freakscene]

Originally Posted by crawdiddy

And which one do you think is best?

They are all good for different purposes. I really miss the Forte papers, and Ektalure G was incredible for portraits. Agfa Portriga and Record Rapid were amazing too, as were many of the range of Kentmere FB papers.

I mostly work with Ilford papers now, for consistency and availability.

Marty

[shadowfox]

Fomatone is very good for lith printing
For daily usage, I prefer Adox MCP to Ilford MG but I believe if I work with it more, I can be happy with Ilford stuff also.

[Turtle]

Having just used 75 sheets of the Adox MCC, I am content that MGWT still holds the crown. OK, so its a lot slower, but it produces the most luscious prints I have ever made.

[mdarnton]

Costco Professional Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper, no question about it.

[sepiareverb]

Polywarmtone progress. Check the Adox FB page.

[35mmdelux]

some sort of rag, archival paper.

[Freakscene]

Originally Posted by sepiareverb

Polywarmtone progress. Check the Adox FB page.

Where??? I just looked . . . I can't find anything . . .

Marty

[sepiareverb]

Here.

Scroll down a few pics.

[Freakscene]

Exciting, really exciting. Now all they need to do is make sure they have found the technician who used to run the line in Vác.

Marty

[Turtle]

The PWT is only exciting if it is sold at a considerably lower price than MGWT, which is now the same price as sheets of solid silver!

[x-ray]

My favorite papers of the 60's and 70's were DuPont Varilour R and RW and Ansco Indigo.

In the 80's on Agfa MCC 111, Forte poly warmtone plus, Adox MCC ( Agfa) and Ilford multi grade FB

All fiber papers.

[BobYIL]

The best papers I have used so far were Agfa Portriga and Agfa Brovira. Today all Ilford fiberbase papers.

[loquax ludens]

Wow, this is an ancient poll.

For all two of us who like Azo (presumably large format contact printers), you can now buy its best replacement, Lodima Fine Art paper, from Michael Smith and Paula Chamlee. It's a very slow paper designed for contact printing and specifically as a replacement for Azo. It is not usable for enlarging, and neither was Azo, so I have no idea why Azo would have been included in the poll.