Photography News | Issue 67 | photographynews.co.uk
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First tests
Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl 310gsm £13.80 25 sheets
Ilford’s collection of inkjet printing media is second to none when it comes to the choice of surface finishes and weights, so there is plenty to suit all tastes and needs. Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl features a heavyweight resin-coated white base, so not as stiff as, for example, a baryta paper. The pearl finish is very fine and has a lovely sheen, so you do not get reflections when viewing prints from the front. Angle it to the light and you can enjoy its fine sheen. The surface is resistant to handling and fingerprints didn’t show. To really test the surface finish – and something I wouldn’t do with a baryta paper – I committed the ultimate sin of having a pack of greasy snacks and then handling the prints. Yes, inevitably there were surface marks, but these went using a microfibre cloth. The paper features a new HDR optically clear coating and ink- receiving layer to produce the best possible images, exhibiting exceptional clarity, sharpness and colour reproduction. I put this Ilford paper through its paces using an Epson SureColor SC-P800 printer loaded with Epson inks using a generic ICC profile from Ilford’s website and a custom-made one created with an i1 Studio kit. The prints produced with my custom profile were generally more accurate, although to be fair, there were pros and cons to each profile. The prints shown here were made using the custom profile. I printed images ranging from interiorportraitsandfamilysnapshots to hard, gritty monochrome and more traditional, more genteel landscapes. Several images were my old standbys that I print for every paper test. My prints emerged touch dry from the printer and even deliberately trying to smudge freshly made prints with a sweaty thumb had no adverse impact on the printed area.
Specs
Prices A4 25 sheets £13.80, 55p per sheet. A4 100 sheets £37.89, 37.8p per sheet A3 25 sheets £25.39, £1.01 per sheet Availability 4x6in, 5x7in (both 100 sheet packs), A4 (25, 50 and 100 sheet packs), A3, A3*, A2 (all 25 sheet packs) Roll sizes: 43.2cmx27m, 61cmx27m Type RC photo paper Compatibility High-quality pigment and dye inkjet printers Opacity 99% Caliper 310 microns (12mil) Tint (CIE L*a*b*) 95.5, 0,7, -5.0 Weight 310gsm Contact tetenaluk.com
Overall, colour reproduction was lively with a good vibrancy, but without being at any point too strident. In other words, I thought there was a good balance with impact and control. Primary colours were accurate and had plenty of depth – and that includes the greens that can be tricky to reproduce accurately and can often look on the muddy side. Delicate hues looked good, too, again with a little bit of life that stops them looking too recessive. The bright white base helps to deliver clean highlights and smooth mid-greys. My monochromes had excellent depth and rich blacks, while tonal separation even in regions of deep shadows was impressive. Lighter shades of grey were equally well accommodated. If there was any negative comment on my mono prints, I’d say they had a slight purple tint – the sort of look you used to get with chemical selenium toning. It wasn’t off-putting in any way and easy to correct. On the whole, though, I thought this Ilford paper turned in a very capable performance with colour and monochrome images. WC I thought
Overall, I thought colour reproduction was lively with a good vibrancy
Above This Ilford paper gives a lively colour reproduction, but accuracy remains good
Below The pearl finish is very smooth and proved resistant to handling. It has a lovely sheen, too, which is pleasant on the eye
Verdict
There is much to like about this Ilford paper. Top of the list of likeable characteristics is surely its price. I think 55p per A4 sheet – which drops down massively to just under 38p per sheet if you buy the 100 sheet box, and £1.01 for a sheet of A3 – is great value. But there is no point going for a value-for-money paper if it has the printing skills of kitchen towel. No such reservations here though, and this is a high-performing material. It gives a sparky, bright colour performance, but is equally at home with gutsy black & white images. Definitely a paper that offers tremendous value for money and very capable, too.
Pros Great price, good with black & white, lovely finish Cons Less impressive with more subtle scenes
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