Suggestions for B/W Printing

Patryk · 19th January 2006

Got an enlarger and most of the stuff i need in the darkroom courtesy to Mr 35mm for a great price (thanks will... heh..)

Just need some advice on what Developer and Paper would be good for a beginner to start with?

I've been thinking of just using all Ilford products since i've read up on them, but i'm open to suggestions... (however they must be readily available locally..especially in Ruby..heh)

I'm totally in the dark with paper, so hope someone can help me out... I've been thinking to get graded paper (grade 2 and 4) but dunno if can get the same results with multigrade paper (i've read that u need filters to produce diff contrast on multigrade paper, but i'm also not sure bout this). So yeah, if you have any suggestions on what i should get, it'll be very much appreciated... Also one thing, i've read that RC paper is such a darling to process..but is FB paper still a norm to use in home darkrooms? (I mainly shoot HP5 uprated to 800 or 1600 and Delta 100..hope that helps with anything)

As for the developer, i've been thinking of getting Ilford Multigrade, but i have no idea at all its characteristics as i have zero experience in printing...(i have been developing negs however..)

So yeah, if anyone can help out would be really great... If i get my stuff out right, might give u free darkroom session..heh..

hondasleeper · 22nd January 2006

I have always been partial to Kodak Chemistry. So that would be my recommendation.

As far as paper, and since you are a beginner in the darkroom. I would start with the RC multigrade paper and get yourself a set of contrast filters.

Until you get more experience in the darkroom, then you can progress to the graded stuff. But I have always printed on multigrade paper and used contrast filters. The only time you would want to go to a graded paper is if you know exactly how your neg is going to behave and how you want your print to come out. Ansel Adams knew exactly what he was doing and so he used graded paper, depending on how his film was exposed.

Fibre based paper, that's another beast to tame you would need 2 fixing baths. Drying is a bitch.

For now, I would seriously just stick to the RC paper.

Hope this is helpful.

Patryk · 22nd January 2006

Thanks for the advice, was planning to get contrast filters, but really broke after getting an enlarger and the other stuff...

I've settled to go with Ilford chemicals, dunno why, most probably i use HP5 most of the time, and that the bottles are right at the top of the rack at Ruby..lol..

I heard that Agfa paper gives more contrasty prints, with more punch in the blacks...anyone has any experience with Agfa paper? First lot of paper i bought is Ilford multigrade, and have made several prints... almost switched the lights on when the whole stack was out of the cover...heh.

kex · 22nd January 2006

Please go get a set of filters,contrast filtration is very important for darkroom printing.

hondasleeper · 23rd January 2006

Dunno much about Agfa paper, I would stick with the Ilford first of before you start playing around with different papers. Get yourself used to the process before you start experimenting. Get the basics down. I'm sure you have heard this before "You have to learn how to walk before you can learn how to run." Trust me we all had to start of where you are right now, so don't get discouraged, you'll get there one day.

Just a word of advice, when you are printing, pull one sheet out, cover the rest, so you don't make a mistake and expose your fresh box of paper. Make it a habit. Don't leave your paper lying around uncovered while you're printing.

foxtwo · 23rd January 2006

heh... common mistakes... printing on the wrong side and forgetting to stop down after focusing. keep a finger on the timer switch, if u realise the light is too bright u can always make an emergency stop.

hondasleeper · 23rd January 2006

Another thing, if you are printing in total darkness or can't figure out which side is the emulsion side, there is a way to tell which side is the emulsion. Just wet your lips and put the paper between your lips the side that sticks is the emulsion side.

student · 23rd January 2006

Originally Posted by hondasleeper

Another thing, if you are printing in total darkness or can't figure out which side is the emulsion side, there is a way to tell which side is the emulsion. Just wet your lips and put the paper between your lips the side that sticks is the emulsion side.

There is no necessity to print in total darkness.

foxtwo · 23rd January 2006

hook up an orange safelight, shiny side is the emulsion.

hondasleeper · 24th January 2006

You can also use the lip test if you are using a safe light. Even with a safe light it is kinda hard to tell the emulsion side particularly when printing with matte or pearl paper, glossy is kind of a no brainer, but I have made mistakes also.

jaye · 2nd February 2006

RC paper is the best way to start, however, I want to say that the texture of FB paper looks alot better in my opinion, but a real bitch like what honda said.

19th January 2006	#1
Patryk Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 661	Suggestions for B/W Printing Got an enlarger and most of the stuff i need in the darkroom courtesy to Mr 35mm for a great price (thanks will... heh..) Just need some advice on what Developer and Paper would be good for a beginner to start with? I've been thinking of just using all Ilford products since i've read up on them, but i'm open to suggestions... (however they must be readily available locally..especially in Ruby..heh) I'm totally in the dark with paper, so hope someone can help me out... I've been thinking to get graded paper (grade 2 and 4) but dunno if can get the same results with multigrade paper (i've read that u need filters to produce diff contrast on multigrade paper, but i'm also not sure bout this). So yeah, if you have any suggestions on what i should get, it'll be very much appreciated... Also one thing, i've read that RC paper is such a darling to process..but is FB paper still a norm to use in home darkrooms? (I mainly shoot HP5 uprated to 800 or 1600 and Delta 100..hope that helps with anything) As for the developer, i've been thinking of getting Ilford Multigrade, but i have no idea at all its characteristics as i have zero experience in printing...(i have been developing negs however..) So yeah, if anyone can help out would be really great... If i get my stuff out right, might give u free darkroom session..heh.. __________________ if my camera is there at the right moment, click, all I have to do is accept it. -edouard boubat

22nd January 2006	#2
hondasleeper Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 334	Re: Suggestions for B/W Printing I have always been partial to Kodak Chemistry. So that would be my recommendation. As far as paper, and since you are a beginner in the darkroom. I would start with the RC multigrade paper and get yourself a set of contrast filters. Until you get more experience in the darkroom, then you can progress to the graded stuff. But I have always printed on multigrade paper and used contrast filters. The only time you would want to go to a graded paper is if you know exactly how your neg is going to behave and how you want your print to come out. Ansel Adams knew exactly what he was doing and so he used graded paper, depending on how his film was exposed. Fibre based paper, that's another beast to tame you would need 2 fixing baths. Drying is a bitch. For now, I would seriously just stick to the RC paper. Hope this is helpful.

22nd January 2006	#3
Patryk Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 661	Re: Suggestions for B/W Printing Thanks for the advice, was planning to get contrast filters, but really broke after getting an enlarger and the other stuff... I've settled to go with Ilford chemicals, dunno why, most probably i use HP5 most of the time, and that the bottles are right at the top of the rack at Ruby..lol.. I heard that Agfa paper gives more contrasty prints, with more punch in the blacks...anyone has any experience with Agfa paper? First lot of paper i bought is Ilford multigrade, and have made several prints... almost switched the lights on when the whole stack was out of the cover...heh. __________________ if my camera is there at the right moment, click, all I have to do is accept it. -edouard boubat

22nd January 2006	#4
kex Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: beebox Posts: 2,101	Re: Suggestions for B/W Printing Please go get a set of filters,contrast filtration is very important for darkroom printing.

23rd January 2006	#5
hondasleeper Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 334	Re: Suggestions for B/W Printing Dunno much about Agfa paper, I would stick with the Ilford first of before you start playing around with different papers. Get yourself used to the process before you start experimenting. Get the basics down. I'm sure you have heard this before "You have to learn how to walk before you can learn how to run." Trust me we all had to start of where you are right now, so don't get discouraged, you'll get there one day. Just a word of advice, when you are printing, pull one sheet out, cover the rest, so you don't make a mistake and expose your fresh box of paper. Make it a habit. Don't leave your paper lying around uncovered while you're printing.

23rd January 2006	#6
foxtwo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: singapore Posts: 1,707	Re: Suggestions for B/W Printing heh... common mistakes... printing on the wrong side and forgetting to stop down after focusing. keep a finger on the timer switch, if u realise the light is too bright u can always make an emergency stop.

23rd January 2006	#7
hondasleeper Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 334	Re: Suggestions for B/W Printing Another thing, if you are printing in total darkness or can't figure out which side is the emulsion side, there is a way to tell which side is the emulsion. Just wet your lips and put the paper between your lips the side that sticks is the emulsion side.

23rd January 2006	#9
foxtwo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: singapore Posts: 1,707	Re: Suggestions for B/W Printing hook up an orange safelight, shiny side is the emulsion.

24th January 2006	#10
hondasleeper Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 334	Re: Suggestions for B/W Printing You can also use the lip test if you are using a safe light. Even with a safe light it is kinda hard to tell the emulsion side particularly when printing with matte or pearl paper, glossy is kind of a no brainer, but I have made mistakes also. Last edited by hondasleeper; 24th January 2006 at 12:28 PM.

2nd February 2006	#11
jaye Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 292	Re: Suggestions for B/W Printing RC paper is the best way to start, however, I want to say that the texture of FB paper looks alot better in my opinion, but a real bitch like what honda said.