articles/Paper/prestige-page8
by Mike McNamee Published 01/06/2013
Metamerism varies according to the patch density as the ink mix changes and for detailed analysis we always measure it down the whole tone range. The Mono Silk/Epson HDR UltraChrome combination produced a humped curve which tailed back up at the highlight end, an effect we have seen before. The graph peaked at 1.4 units, a smaller value because this is the metameric index value not the CII (it's a quirk of how we have to measure the value for a large number of patches).
Despite the variations nothing in the metamerism data gave rise to any concerns.
Digital Toning
The ABW allows the users to choose an infinite variety of subtle tone colours via its Advanced dialogue box. We explored the effect of toning with a 'cheat' file which is made using full-colour inks to save making 17 separate prints. This shows that the warmer toning effects are more pronounced presumably because of the OBAs in the paper, the cooler effects are somewhat masked. Changes of up to 20 points in the ABW driver are very subtle, 50 points is quite pronounced in the warmer options but less obvious in the cooler variants. Even so the toned options looked rather good and a choice can be made on individual taste. To produce a 'Brovira-like' cool tone, a setting of -50 on the vertical scale should do the trick.
Mike reviews the Ilford Galerie Prestige Galerie Premium.
Overall then, this paper has all the attributes of the best baryta digital papers with a slightly cool white point, a pleasing level of gloss, very high Dmax and low metamerism. You may have gathered from what we have written that we liked it a lot!
CONCLUSIONS
Although we only tested part of the range in detail we have seen enough to remain impressed by Ilford's technology which backs up our findings on Gold Fibre Silk from 2008 - in many ways GFS remains the jewel in the crown although we can see Gold Mono Silk building a strong following once its charms become more widely known.
The range is comprehensive without being overwhelming which can be an advantage in a busy, high-output studio, not everybody has the time or inclination to pore over the minutiae of paper surfaces and subtleties the way one might for a single exhibition image. The take-up by Tetenal of the distribution will no doubt sharpen the marketing and lead to refinements, changes and additions to the range (more sheet options are starting to arrive as this is being prepared); some refinements in naming would also help it is all a little confusing at the moment.
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