Kodak, Ilford, ...?

I am a beginner and I would like contrast and fine grain.

Thanx for your help. ST

-- Stephane Thao (steph@santhy.net), August 13, 2001

Answers

Stephane, I think any of the variable contrast papers would do just fine for you. Go with the one that is easiest to obtain in your area. I personally like Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe, Satin. Keep in mind that discussing paper and film choices is like discussing breakfast food choices. Everybody has a favorite. The important thing is, start printing!!!!!

chris

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), August 13, 2001.

It's true that if you ask 10 different photographers which film or paper they like, you'll probably get as many different answers.

First of all, why did you choose T-max 400? I have found it so unsatisfying, I can't believe it shares a family heritage with TMX, which I love. I would recommend Ilford's new Delta 400. It bests TMY in every way. Ilford HP5+ is another far nicer film than TMY.

As for paper, if you want a good RC, check out Agfa's MPC RC Classic. It has a very bright white base and an excellent tonal scale. And it is one of the very few RC papers that tones well in selenium--in fact, it takes on a gorgeous rich brown when toned in selenium. One other nice benefit to Agfa's RC is it's about 25% cheaper than most other brands.

-- Ted Kaufman (writercrmp@aol.com), August 13, 2001.

There have been articles in Photo Techniques saying that some new VC papers are optimized for tabular grain films which apparently have higher contrast in the highlights. Hence the papers have reduced contrast at the highlight end of the scale (the near-white end). Apparently, with normal films, these papers can have flat highlights.

-- john stockdale (jo.sto@bigpond.com), August 13, 2001.

Two of the papers that fall into the above-mentioned category are Iford Multigrade IV and Kodak Polymax II. I believe Kodak says they designed the Polymax papers with the T-Max films' harder to control highlights in mind. That being the case, I would say it couldn't hurt to try Polymax. In addition to taming highlights, it also has great mid-range contrast.

-- Brian Hinther (brianh@onewest.net), August 13, 2001.

Try Forte Polygrade V, fibre base, glossy surface if you want to see just how good TMax 400 can look. Bergger is an excellent choice also, with the warm tone being very good and the new silver supreme a nice way to look at high key or delicate images.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), August 13, 2001.

I'll throw in a graded fiber base--ilford gallerie, the best I've ever seen for just about anything.

-- mark lindsey (lindseygraves@msn.com), August 13, 2001.

I spent the last 2 weeks printing some T-Max 400 on Forte Polywarmtone Plus glossy.Very nice! The paper responds very well to the T-Max 400, but, it is better with 400 Delta and even better with new Delta 400. The Delta 400 negs printed with full tones & crisp highlights without any blocking up in the shadows (minimal manipulation). It is a extra heavy weight with a white base and a brown/black image. (I developed it in LPD 1:4). I am ordering 100 sheets of 8X10 this week. I've printed these negs on Kodak Polymax Art F & C as well. The Forte material wins hands down.

-- Robert Orofino (minotaur1949@iopener.net), August 14, 2001.

I'll second the choice for Forte Polygrade V, fibre base, glossy surface with TMY. Just printed some portraits yesterday with this combo and they are beautiful in terms of tonal range and a kind of luminosity. Used a grade 4 filter for contrast.

-- Sam Smith (Ruy_Lopez@hotmail.com), August 14, 2001.