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Photo Gear
Covering The Photo Beat; Black And White Papers: 
There are still a few diehards who denigrate Variable Contrast (VC) papers,
often known generically under the Ilford trade name of “Multigrade.”
It is true that years ago VC papers delivered a far smaller contrast range than
graded papers, and it is true to this day that at Grade 5, the very hardest
paper is graded at ISO(R) 35-40, while VC with discrete filters is normally
ISO(R) 40-45 and VC with a variable contrast head is typically ISO(R) 45-50.
It is also true that graded papers were once tonally superior to VC, but unless
you need very, very hard paper, the quality and tonality of VC papers caught
up with graded at least 20 years ago. Whatever paper you choose, it is extremely important to develop it to completion: that is, until the blacks are as black as they are going to get, and all other tones are fully developed. At the normal 68ÞF, 20ÞC, this should take 2-3 minutes. “Snatching” a print because it is going too dark, too fast, is a short cut to disaster. Remake the print with less exposure. Also, don’t be afraid to “waste” paper. Your first print could benefit from localized burning and dodging? Remake it. The contrast isn’t quite right on your second print? Remake it. Using five sheets to get one great print isn’t a waste: it’s an intelligent use of resources. Which is better: one great print from five sheets, or five mediocre ones? If you are just starting to print, or if you live in an area prone to water shortages, the best choice is resin-coated paper. Beginners can process more prints faster (and practice is the key to getting better) and your water bills will be lower. Although developing and fixing times for resin-coated papers and fiber-based papers are very similar, washing times are very different. As long as the water is above about 40ÞF, 5ÞC, it only takes 2 minutes to wash a resin-coated print. You can however speed the washing of fiber-based prints considerably with a rapid-wash sequence: a brief wash, followed by a hypo clear bath (available from numerous manufacturers), followed by another wash, usually 5-10 minutes. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions. ISO(R) And Paper Grades Paper grades—from 00 (very soft) to 5 (very hard)— are not standardized: one manufacturer’s Grade 3 may behave very similarly to another manufacturer’s Grade 2. The best way around this confusion is to try to find the ISO(R) paper grades in the spec sheets or on the websites: the lower the ISO(R), the higher the contrast. The following ISO(R) figures give a good idea of contrast levels, but remember that different developers can effect wide variations in contrast.
Introductions Manufacturers/Distributors AgfaPhoto USA Corp. B&H Photo Bergger Products, Inc. Eastman Kodak Company Event Cameras Freestyle Photographic Supplies (Arista, Kentmere, Maco) Ilford Imaging USA Inc. OmegaSatter (Foma, Forte) Oriental Photo USA Paterson Photographic Inc. (USA) TURA USA Inc.
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