I have a set of Multi grade filters and I want to use Ilford MG paper is there a problem?

-- Larry Lowy (), September 28, 1997

Answers

response to Kodak filters with Ilford paper?

No doubt all manufacturers of multigrade papers will tell you that you need their filters and chemicals but I have found this to not be the case. I personally use Ilford Multigrade filters on Ilford, Kodak, Agfa and Oriental Seagull multigrade papers (fiber and RC) with absolutely no problem. There is such a great range of filters grades in the kit that I can adjust for any differences between the papers. The best thing to do is give a try and judge for yourself.

-- Andy Laycock (pbrlab@unixg.ubc.ca), September 29, 1997.

I've used Kodak VC papers for years, using white light for normal contrast negatives and their Polycontrast and Polymax filters for others. When I recently decided to try Ilford Multigrade IV paper, I found that using my Kodak approach (white light for normal negatives) gave very flat prints compared to Polymax paper, using the same negative. To get the same contrast as I got on Kodak with no filter took a Polymax 3.5 or 4 filter on Ilford.

I finally broke down and got a set of Ilford filters, and most of them look quite different from the equivalent Polymax filter. The 4, 4.5 and 5 in both sets are similar, but Ilford has no yellowish filters like the Polymax -1 to 1.5., the Ilford 00 and 0.5 being a rather deep orange. Nor are there any "peachy" Ilford filters like the Polymax 2, 2.5. and 3, the Ilford 2 looking like a Polymax 3.5 (but denser), which conforms to my limited experimental results.

Maybe the dramatically different low contrast filters would print the same on both papers, but my darkroom time is limited enough that I didn't want to take the time to experiment, and I decided that the cost of an Ilford filter set was small enough in the long run to be worth it.

-- Kip Babington (cbabing3@swbell.net), February 05, 1998.