Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

hue-e · **cheaper alternative for Epson's 5-star paper -** 03-03-2011, 12:27 PM

Is there one that will print with the same quality as Epson's 5-star paper? Have any of you guys run any sort of benchmark testing against other top of the line photo paper? If so, what do you recommend?

I'm open to over-sized sheets I can cut down to other sizes so I can get the most bang for my buck.

venchka · 03-03-2011, 03:31 PM

Just last weekend I proved, in side by side viewing, that Moab Entrada Natural Rag printed more fine detail and more shades of delicate grey than Epson Ultra Luster (5 stars).
That said, give Red River paper an honest, thorough evaluation.
The problem is that everybody is different. Different files. Different printers. Subjects. Eyeballs. Expectations. Picky factor. Etc. Know what I mean?

hue-e · 03-03-2011, 05:14 PM

totally... I'll give them a day in court and see what i like more.

I've already determined that my printer at home, using top of the line paper will print just as good of prints as any place you'd order from, at least I KNOW any customer wouldn't be able to tell the difference.. now it's just a matter of bringing paper costs down.

venchka · 03-05-2011, 10:41 PM

Red River paper is looking better & better. I'm working my way through a sample box. Looking good.

Daniel W. · 03-06-2011, 09:48 PM

Patrick,

Innova paper produces a Luster paper that is very similar to PLPP, so much so that it uses the same profile with very little discernable difference. We're told that it's run specifically/exclusively for RIT (heck its named after the 1st year photo course and packaged in a very generic box with little ID in the store) but I have an inkling that it may be similar to Innova's lower end photo papers anyway.

hue-e · 03-07-2011, 07:54 AM

excellent guys... I'll be trying these out.

thanks for the advice... it will be nice to get cheap, high quality prints at home... I hate waiting :P

... here's a side question (maybe for another thread).. how many digital photogs these days actually print out (at least their favorites of every shoot) photos just to archive hard copies?

I haven't done hardly any at all. pretty much everything is just on external drives for me.

princer7 · 03-07-2011, 08:37 AM

I print very few of my photos. Usually only the ones that I feel were my best work.

I am really liking the Red River paper over the Epson. I have their sample pack, polar satin and polar metallic. LMK if you would like to take a look at the sample pack or would like a few sheets of the satin or metallic to try.

There is usually a coupon you can google.

venchka · 03-07-2011, 03:03 PM

Mr. Stovall used to say that it isn't really a photograph until it is printed. Or words to that effect.

hue-e · 03-07-2011, 03:07 PM

I'm inclined to believe him... I mean, isn't part of the photography package being able to put the print on a wall, desk or book?

Daniel W. · 03-07-2011, 10:52 PM

Well "photo-graphy" means recording or writing of light. Can't record no' flash of a picture on a screen.

princer7 · 03-07-2011, 10:59 PM

I guess I need to get my confidence up a little more.... My printed photos are not displayed - just hidden in a drawer.

hue-e · 03-08-2011, 07:22 AM

sounds like an archive to me ;)

Fireball · 03-08-2011, 07:36 AM

You can get sample packs of paper for a minimum price at Red River catalog.

Inkjet Photographic Papers Premium Photo Paper by Red River

hue-e · 03-08-2011, 07:39 AM

I'm going to scoop one of those up this week.

Murph · 03-08-2011, 09:20 AM

Epson paper is pretty decent. But MOAB Entrada is the best. I also use hahnemuehl photo rag 308 gsm but use the MOAB profile on my 4880.

Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

cheaper alternative for Epson's 5-star paper