First test
PRICE: FROM £34.95
PERMAJET.COM
Print specialist’s line of Heritage inkjet papers is aimed at image makers demanding outstanding results, with exceptional longevity PermaJet Heritage range THE PERMAJET HERITAGE collection is brand new, launching with four papers in the range. These are joined by an existing paper, Museum Heritage 310. There is a difference, though, as the new quartet are all made from 100% cotton and OBA-free, for even better print longevity. Museum Heritage 310 is 25% cotton and has OBAs. The new papers go on sale in early October and will be previewed at this year’s The Photography Show in Birmingham’s NEC, from 17-20 September. My test prints were made using an Epson SC-P800 printer with Epson inks. I made custom colour and mono profiles using a Calibrite i1Studio. For the test prints, I used the same set of images, including scenics, portraits and nature shots, then added a few shots I thought would suit each material. Before we get into the test, it is worth saying that results were achieved with our own set-up and test images. Try the papers for yourself, starting with a sample pack. PermaJet Baryta Rag 310 PermaJet Etching Rag 310
Etching Rag 310 has a finish that is gently textured, fitting between the velvety flatness of Smooth Rag and more obviously rippled Watercolour Rag. Gently drag a forefinger over the surface and you will feel the paper’s ‘tooth’, but it’s subtle and less bumpy compared with Watercolour Rag. As expected, Etching Rag 310 is a fine performer and handled my test images very competently. If there was an exception, it was the portrait images, where flesh tones were too pink for my taste. Of course, I had my own set-up/profile, but the same file was used for each paper in this group. Moving to nature shots and scenes, Etching Rag 310 delivered a capable colour performance, with good handling of saturated colours and intricate hues. Contrast remained good and – based on my prints – was the highest of the three matte papers. Mono images looked impressive and had a robustness. The shadows also held detail well, with really rich and solid blacks – impressive for matte paper. Highlights and areas of lighter greys looked smooth and were produced well, too.
– not far from the look of a slowly air-dried darkroom fibre print. Being a non-OBA paper means its base colour is a natural, slightly creamy white – and I loved the look. Images stood out, minus any distracting glare. I was delighted with the results from this paper. Colour shots looked really lifelike and delivery had a restrained approach, which was perfect for portraits and nature work. Punchier, more saturated scenes came out well too, without being over the top. Mono appeared great, with delicate highlights, smooth mid-tones and deep shadows with plenty of depth.
Of the new quartet, Baryta Rag 310 is the only non-matte finish designed for photo black inks. The finish is a smooth satin baryta, so viewed obliquely there is a subtle sheen
SATIN SMOOTH This paper has a lovely sheen
FEEL GOOD INK Etching Rag 310 has a textured finish, but it’s not too pronounced
SPECS › Prices £34.95 for 25 sheets A4, £1.40 per sheet. £64.95 for 25 sheets A3, £2.60 per sheet › Availability A4, A3, A3+, A2 sheets. 17in, 24in, 36in, 44in, 60in rolls › Paper surface Textured › Acid-free Yes › Base fibre 100% cotton › Weight 310gsm › OBAs No › Paper thickness 0.52mm
TEST COMMENT Baryta gives good contrast, but it’s not too aggressive
TEST COMMENT Colour saturation and depth of blacks rate highly for a matte material. My test shots were reproduced with good levels of contrast
SPECS › Prices £36.95 for 25 sheets A4, £1.48 per sheet. £71.95 for 25 sheets A3, £2.88 per sheet › Availability A4, A3, A3+, A2 sheets. 24in, 36in, 44in, 60in rolls › Paper surface Satin baryta surface › Acid-free Yes › Base fibre 100% cotton › Weight 310gsm › OBAs No › Paper thickness 0.43mm
Verdict I have been a fan of PermaJet’s baryta papers for years and, although it’s early doors, I think Baryta Rag 310 could become my new go-to satin finish. I rate it that highly. PROS Smooth finish, creamy base, shadows had depth, natural-looking results CONS Not the paper when high contrast and punch are needed, but PermaJet has those bases covered with other products
Verdict If you want a mildly textured finish, Etching Rag 310 is a good option – this is a high-performing matte paper. Its delivery is slightly more strident than the other two matte finishes tested here, a characteristic many image makers might prefer.
PROS Great for monochrome, good contrast, rich colour reproduction CONS Less accurate with flesh tones, based on my results
Issue 101 | Photography News 61
photographynews.co.uk
Powered by FlippingBook