Posted by Kurt Budde on January 19, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Hey all.
Just got a 3800 and I'm looking at paper choices. I'd like to keep 3 different types on hand; a matte, luster-ish, and one more for very limited / specialty work. I've come up with a few I'd like opinions and alternate choices on, from those who have used them.
I've gotten a few prints on the Ilford from our own Nat Coalson, and I like it very much. The other two come highly recommended, but I've not seen them.
There are a million choices out there and it's all a bit overwhelming at first. Figured I'd get some opinions here so I can keep the sample packs limited to just a few
Posted by Dan Borzynski on January 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
All three of those have a fairly good reputation for image quality.
I've been using the Epson Premium Ultrasmooth for my show/portfolio/gallery prints. It is a paper I settled about 5 years ago, shortly before the explosion of super-high quality third party alternatives. I keep thinking that I should try some others, but that won't be occurring for a few months, at least.
I also use the Epson Premium Luster for my personal prints. I like the sharpness and brightness of the prints, but it falls short on two counts. First, outgassing. I've never adequately solved that issue to my satisfaction. I am aware of the methods of dealing with it, but *for me*, they haven't proved to be successful long term. Second, bronzing and color shifts (depending on the light source) on this paper, are a major problem. But I should point out that I am using the Epson 4000, which uses the first generation of ultrachrome inks. The ultrachrome inksets have improved a lot in the last five years, so personal testing is strongly advised. Make that three counts - under glass, it gives a secondary reflection from a point light source, so you get reflections from both the glass and the print.
Posted by David Bostedo on January 19, 2009 at 4:36 PM
You might also want to try Hahnemuhle's FA Baryta paper...I like it a lot myself. It would be very comparable to the Ilford...
Posted by Robert Fisher on January 19, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Don't think you can go wrong with any of those.
The thing you might consider though is whether you really want to limit yourself to three papers or whether it may be preferable to choose the paper to suit the photo. It's more expensive to do it the second way but if it means the prints have greater visual impact and appeal to viewers/buyers it's worth it.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on January 20, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Kurt,
They are all nice papers. I've seen the Crane on display and have used the Hahnemuhle and the Ilford.
If you intend to show your photos grouped together, I think it is better to remain consistent on the paper, or at least use papers with similar appearances. I had previously chosen matte papers to prevent secondary reflections behind glass. But Ilford GFS has a fairly non-reflective finish. To me, the additional shadow density and detail tips the scale to the Ilford and it has now replaced Velvet Fine Art as my main paper.
I would recommend before you invest in expensive papers that you buy some sample packs. Atlex offers several varieties at reasonable prices.
Posted by Kurt Budde on January 21, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Thank you Dan & David.
Robert; I'm only looking at three to keep on hand in all the sizes I need on a regular basis - beyond that, I'll experiment with whatever for personal prints. These choices are for client prints. But you are correct =)
Mel; Thank you for the thoughts on the GFS and the grouping.
Posted by Kelly Rowe on January 21, 2009 at 4:55 PM
I'm switching to printing all color images on Epson Exhibition Fiber with K3 inks. I first saw that combination at Photoshop World at the epson display and it absolutely blew me away. ImagePrint had DK profiles for that paper so we're in business. The stock is heavy enough that small prints don't require mounting. It is a bit pricey though.
Discussion
6 repliesJust got a 3800 and I'm looking at paper choices. I'd like to keep 3 different types on hand; a matte, luster-ish, and one more for very limited / specialty work. I've come up with a few I'd like opinions and alternate choices on, from those who have used them.
Hahnemuehle Photo Rag 308
Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk
Crane Museo Silver Rag
I've gotten a few prints on the Ilford from our own Nat Coalson, and I like it very much. The other two come highly recommended, but I've not seen them.
There are a million choices out there and it's all a bit overwhelming at first. Figured I'd get some opinions here so I can keep the sample packs limited to just a few
I've been using the Epson Premium Ultrasmooth for my show/portfolio/gallery prints. It is a paper I settled about 5 years ago, shortly before the explosion of super-high quality third party alternatives. I keep thinking that I should try some others, but that won't be occurring for a few months, at least.
I also use the Epson Premium Luster for my personal prints. I like the sharpness and brightness of the prints, but it falls short on two counts. First, outgassing. I've never adequately solved that issue to my satisfaction. I am aware of the methods of dealing with it, but *for me*, they haven't proved to be successful long term. Second, bronzing and color shifts (depending on the light source) on this paper, are a major problem. But I should point out that I am using the Epson 4000, which uses the first generation of ultrachrome inks. The ultrachrome inksets have improved a lot in the last five years, so personal testing is strongly advised. Make that three counts - under glass, it gives a secondary reflection from a point light source, so you get reflections from both the glass and the print.
The thing you might consider though is whether you really want to limit yourself to three papers or whether it may be preferable to choose the paper to suit the photo. It's more expensive to do it the second way but if it means the prints have greater visual impact and appeal to viewers/buyers it's worth it.
They are all nice papers. I've seen the Crane on display and have used the Hahnemuhle and the Ilford.
If you intend to show your photos grouped together, I think it is better to remain consistent on the paper, or at least use papers with similar appearances. I had previously chosen matte papers to prevent secondary reflections behind glass. But Ilford GFS has a fairly non-reflective finish. To me, the additional shadow density and detail tips the scale to the Ilford and it has now replaced Velvet Fine Art as my main paper.
I would recommend before you invest in expensive papers that you buy some sample packs. Atlex offers several varieties at reasonable prices.
Robert; I'm only looking at three to keep on hand in all the sizes I need on a regular basis - beyond that, I'll experiment with whatever for personal prints. These choices are for client prints. But you are correct =)
Mel; Thank you for the thoughts on the GFS and the grouping.