Ilford graded RC papers

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I notice that Ilfords web site does not have any general information on its line of graded RC papers (Ilfospeed RC deluxe). Are there any other sources of information on this paper aside from the data sheet which comes in the package.

Specific things that I would like to know:

1. How do their numbers translate into contrast levels?

2. What are the various categories of finish and what do they mean? For example I have used pearl/pearl and glossy/brillant(sic). I would be interested to know what other choices I have.

Thanks, Peter Schauss

-- Peter Schauss (schauss@worldnet.att.net), October 31, 2001

Answers

Well, there's a little 3-4 page spec sheet that you can get from Ilford or your dealer, as well as the annual product guide booklet that has close to the same info. If you want contrast curves, and ISO speeds, you can find them there. As far as I know it just comes in glossy or pearl, and runs across 5 or 6 grades. I've used quite a bit of Grade 2 & 3 Ilfospeed pearl for just basic production type proof printing from time to time, and it's a pretty decent paper...I used to use alot of kodabrome RC before it was discontinued and actually prefer that paper to the Ilfospeed, but all in all it's a great, fast graded RC paper that excels under cold lights. As far as the numbers of the contrast levels go, well a grade 2 is a grade 2.....

-- DK Thompson (kthompson@moh.dcr.state.nc.us), October 31, 2001.

Not only does Ilford ignore Ilfospeed RC graded papers on their website, they also make no mention of Ilford Gallerie Fiber graded papers. Ilford Gallerie was my favorite choice for paper up until I stopped printing about 5 years ago. When I recently resumed B&W printing, I looked on the Ilford web site to see if Gallerie was still available. Because I could not find any mention of Gallerie on the web site (and assumed it was not longer made), I switched to Oriental Seagull fiber graded paper. I sometimes wonder whether these companies know how much business they loose because of their own laziness. Either that, or they are deliberately trying to kill off the graded papers.

-- Michael Feldman (mfeldman@qwest.net), October 31, 2001.

I see it is true--only Ilford's multigrade papers are listed on their web site. I hope this doesn't presage the removal of their graded papers from the market. With the demise of Agfa Brovira, Ilfobrom Galerie is the best graded bromide paper available (in my humble opinion). It works very well for print solarization.

-- Ed Buffaloe (edb@unblinkingeye.com), November 01, 2001.

The subject of Galerie not being on Ilford's Web site came up recently in another thread. Here's what I posted:

"As a general rule, I've found that retailers tend to make up stories when they don't carry or have in stock what you're looking for. That may not be the case here, but let me share a bit of Ilford information.

Several weeks back, having read some troubling comments about Galerie in Photo Techniques magazine (USA), I asked Ilford about the future of this product. Here is a reply I received from them on August 30, 2001:

"There are currently no plans to discontinue Galerie paper, although we have stopped producing some of the larger sizes in the most extreme grades. The remaining papers will be produced as long as it remains economically viable, and the paper sells well enough that we can be assured that customers will be buying fresh product.

Regards, David Carper ILFORD Technical Service"

While it is possible that something may have changed in the last two weeks, a more likely explanation is the general rule I mentioned above. Anyone who likes this product is advised to buy enough of it so Ilford's decision makers keep it alive.

-- Sal Santamaura (bc_hill@qwestinternet.net), September 16, 2001."

-- Sal Santamaura (santamaura@earthlink.net), November 01, 2001.


Sal; thanks for the information regarding Galerie. I had posted a message on the Iford instructors site asking about what had happened to the spec sheets. Usually Wendy is very responsive, however, in the case nothing came of my question. I am one of the old diehards that still uses graded papers, and will continued to do so until i have no other choice. Hopefully, there are others out in the printing world that will also continue to use graded papers. IMHO, there is still a big gap between vc vs graded fiber and RC. The VC papers have certainly improved but......

-- Ann Clancy (clancya@mediaone.net), November 01, 2001.


You're welcome Ann. One of the most significant elements of the gap I've noticed is sharpness. I wonder whether those who can't see a difference between contacts from 8x10 negatives and 2x enlargements from 4x5 are using VC paper. My test results (see archives) revealed a sharpness advantage for graded papers that was readily observable by unaided middle-aged eyes at normal viewing distance. These were 8x10 contact prints to eliminate any question of enlarging lens effects.

How would you describe the graded/VC gap's characteristics in your experience?

-- Sal Santamaura (santamaura@earthlink.net), November 01, 2001.


The Ilford web site has not had information on Gallerie paper for quite some time. This has nothing to do with retailers; rather, it has to with the Ilford web site. The explanation that Sal gave about retailers often saying that a product is no longer available, just because they don't stock it, is exactly why I went to the Ilford web site to find out about Ilford products. As I previously mentioned, since I assumed that the lack of mention of Gallerie on the web site meant that it was no longer available, I switched to Oriental Seagull. I don't know whether to blame this on Ilford incompetence, laziness, or whatever. But if Ilford ever does discontinue or cut back on Gallerie packaging options, I bet that they don’t tell their management that the lack of attention to product information on the Ilford web site had anything to do with it. Instead they will blame the consumer for lack of demand of this type of product.

-- Michael Feldman (mfeldman@qwest.net), November 01, 2001.

MIchael, I posted that in response to the thread's originator (Greg Fight) reporting on September 15, 2001 he had been told by an Adorama salesman that Galerie was being discontinued. Guess I could have left off the introduction, but I just repeated my earlier post verbatim.

Bottom line: If you like Galerie, forget the Web site; purchase and use some, or it will disappear sooner rather than later.

-- Sal Santamaura (santamaura@earthlink.net), November 01, 2001.


Sal, it's too late for at least a little while. About 5 months ago I purchased 400 sheets of 11x14 Oriental Seagull fiber base graded paper after discovering that Gallerie was not even mentioned on the Ilford web site.

-- Michael Feldman (mfeldman@qwest.net), November 01, 2001.

Here's a bit of irony for you all...I was in a local camera store over the weekend and saw a bunch of packs for a new inkjet paper Ilford has just released.... wanna guess what it's called? Galerie.....

-- DK Thompson (kthompson@moh.dcr.state.nc.us), November 05, 2001.


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