Oriental Seagull Select VC-FB (Fiber) Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Tom
(Intermediate)

Review Date
November 30, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 1 of 4

Price Paid: $50.00 from Mr Cad

Summary:

Excellent, neutral, predictable paper. Reviews stating that this paper is all about neutral, sensitive representation are not wrong. The neutral tones just seem 'right'and you get a faithful, unperverted, truly black and white image. The glossy finsih remains so when air dried unlike many papers, which helops to provide a healthy glow to the final print.

Strengths:

Very neutral, beutiful (full) tonality. Tones well, though quite strongly/quickly in selenium (keep a close eye!)

Weaknesses:

Price slighty steep when no specials on such as: (£30 for 25 x 11x14 @ Mr Cad - get 2nd pack 1/2 price,so £45 for 50). However, I believe it is easy to stomach when you see the results. Not worth printing OK negs on this due to cost, but rather save for 'special' prints. Base is on the thinner side of OK, only I would love it more if it was the 300g base of Forte Polywarmtone!

Similar Products Used:

Ilford MG (RC and FB), same Warmtone (V. Nice), Agfa Premium RC and Classic FB, Forte Polywarmtone FB (Which is in the same premium category as Oriental when a warm print is wanted-fantastic!).

Customer Service:

Not used

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Rating
Reviewed by: Rob Faucher
(Intermediate)

Review Date
April 30, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 2 of 4

Summary:

This is my paper of choice when printing out my favourite photos. It works very well with virtually any developer and seems compatible with Ilford VC filters. The tone of this paper seems somewhat more revealing than other papers I have tried. It produces an excellent spectrum of dones from deep black to pure white. It tends to be a slightly warm paper, which I prefer. Often times, I have found other papers tend to produce a cooler tone with harsher blacks and less shadow detail. Overall an excellent and predictable paper that is worth trying.

Strengths:

Excellent tonal characteristics and a slightly warm tone.

Weaknesses:

Like all FB papers, it curls up when it is air dryed.

Similar Products Used:

Ilford MGIV, Forte

Customer Service:

Never used it

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Rating
Reviewed by: Aleksi Moriarty
(Intermediate)

Review Date
March 6, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Review 3 of 4

Summary:

An excellent paper. The more I use it the more I like it. I think it's going to become my paper of choice.

Strengths:

Exceptional range; very deep, rich blacks; very forgiving. Selenium toning gives it a vibrant, subtly purple richness that really brings it alive.

Weaknesses:

Haven't found any yet.

Similar Products Used:

Ilford; Agfa; Luminos; Forte

Customer Service:

n/a

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Rating
Reviewed by: Jim Morris
(Expert)

Review Date
November 26, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 4 of 4

Price Paid: $59.00

Summary:

For great blacks and contrast the Oriental is hard to beat. It is very neutral, neither warm nor cold toned. Though the variable contrast works well with filters the graded fiber paper also is easy to use if your negatives are consistently contrasty. Unfortunately, the paper seems to come in glossy only. Though you spend a bit more the results are generally worth it.

Strengths:

Excellent contrast, good latitude in various developers, consisitent results can be expected.

Weaknesses:

A bit more expensive than other glossy fiber papers, glossy only.

Similar Products Used:

Forte, Luminos, Agfa, Kodak

Customer Service:

Never used

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