Digital BW, The Print

Tim, greetings.

This thread has been rattling around in my head this weekend, as I labor to choose a 
paper for contact printing.  I've run through a number of sheets of Agfa Multiclassic 118, 
Ilford MGIV Warmtone glossy and semimatte, a couple of Forte papers.  And what I am 
relearning is that there is a pretty broad array of paper bases and finishes to be found 
under the rubric of "air-dried FB" papers whose look has become the Holy Grail of this 
group.  Except <ahem>L there isn't any one look.

I'm wondering, when the group voices a preference for inkjet papers that mimic the 
appearance of an "air-dried FB" paper, which paper do you suppose is meant?

FWIW, I am looking for an enlarging paper with a surface midway between the Ilford MGIV 
Warmtone glossy and semimatte finishes.  Way OT, I know -- but any suggestions?

Sanders McNew
www.mcnew.net 

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Tim Atherton" <tim@K...> wrote:
> Yes, the discontinued Epson Pro Glossy was certainly the closest in look and
> surface feel (though not in "overall" paper feel and heft).
> 
> Air Dried glossy has a sort of slightly glossier than eggshell texture and
> surface to it - if that makes sense...
> 
> Now, I'm interested to try the new version of Photo Rag (Satin) that is
> "supposed" to turn to a sort of semi-glossy surface when printed, with the
> cotton rag base. Apparently though, they sold all their supply/first run to
> one dealer and no one else can get it....
> 
> Said by some to give a sort of air dried FB look and feel - we'll see
> 
> 
> tim
> 
> 
> Still shooting 8x10 to print up on photo rag... but working on 11x14 digital
> negs contact printed on Azo and Forte Polywarmtone Museum Weight FB