Canson Baryta Photographique II

[dkoretz]

I'm curious whether others have tried the new Canon Baryta Photographique II and, if so, what they think of it. I have read Dan Wells' review, but I don't think I agree.

The original Baryta Photographique was the paper I used for almost all of my serious printing. I love it. It has excellent dynamic range and gamut, and the very subtly textured surface I find very appealing.

The new one has a much flatter, less textured surface. I find that if the lighting is direct and doesn't catch the surface, the old and new papers look pretty much indistinguishable, which is to say very, very good. When the light reveals the texture, however, I don't like the new paper as much.

I'm thinking of switching to Baryta Prestige, which has a very nice texture. It supposedly has better DMax and a wider gamut. I can't verify that, but it does have an intensity of color that is even better than that of the other two.

Any other reactions?

[Asael]

"When the light reveals the texture, however, I don't like the new paper as much."
Agreed

[mcbroomf]

https://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=134998.0

[dkoretz]

Thanks. I hadn’t seen that thread.

[JRSmit]

Baryta Prestige has much more oba.
The new Baryta is indeed less appealing somehow.
Also stronger gloss diferentials.

I'm curious whether others have tried the new Canon Baryta Photographique II and, if so, what they think of it. I have read Dan Wells' review, but I don't think I agree.

The original Baryta Photographique was the paper I used for almost all of my serious printing. I love it. It has excellent dynamic range and gamut, and the very subtly textured surface I find very appealing.

The new one has a much flatter, less textured surface. I find that if the lighting is direct and doesn't catch the surface, the old and new papers look pretty much indistinguishable, which is to say very, very good. When the light reveals the texture, however, I don't like the new paper as much.

I'm thinking of switching to Baryta Prestige, which has a very nice texture. It supposedly has better DMax and a wider gamut. I can't verify that, but it does have an intensity of color that is even better than that of the other two.

Any other reactions?

[dkoretz]

Baryta Prestige has much more oba.

Can you point me to something that shows the difference? The Canson website just says "very low" OBAs for both of the papers.

Thanks.

[JRSmit]

Search for an Java app called spectrumviz.jar
It is an app that shows the white of more than 500 papers.

[Asael]

You may also want to look at / consider Canson Platine.
The surface texture is more pronounced than on the Barytas, but to my eyes, nicer than the new CBPII, and no OBA.

[dkoretz]

Re Platine: I spent a good bit of time a couple of years ago trying to decide between Platine and Baryta Photographique (original). They are very similar. Platine is a little warmer--whiteness of about 90 compared with 99--which was not what I wanted. However, I think that on balance, I may prefer the Platine to the Baryta Photographique II. Most of the baryta papers come from a few sources, so there is less variation than brands suggest, but I am going to test about 4 more in late August to decide what to do.

[Daverich]

When I discovered recently that Epson Legacy Baryta had been discontinued I bought a 10 sheet pack of Photographique II to profile and try. There's something about it that I just don't care for. The surface doesn't have the little bit of sparkle that Legacy Baryta has and the bronzing on the Photographique II looks odd to me as well. I followed the link in post two and read up on some of the discussion there as well as spending time doing a little research with Google. I guess I could just go back to using Epson Exhibition Fiber but if someone has a suggestion for a Baryta paper closer to Legacy Baryta I would appreciate it. Also, does anyone have an idea why Epson discontinued it and if they might be coming out with a replacement? Back at the beginning of the year the consensus on this site and others was that an individual manufacturing plant was down so there was a delay in getting any Baryta paper but since then, Epson just flatly discontinued theirs. Baryta papers are available from other manufacturers, Canson, Moab, Hahnemuhle and Innova among others so it's not like the materials aren't available. I could get along with Exhibition Fiber if I had to but I got so settled in to Legacy Baryta it would be hard to go back.

[JRSmit]

To my knowledge the legacy baryta is the Epson branding of a Felix Schoeller manufactured paper. That production was stopped middle of last year, for reasons formally unknown.
The new version is definitely less appealing.

In most cases my clients now tend to choose Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta.

[Daverich]

To my knowledge the legacy baryta is the Epson branding of a Felix Schoeller manufactured paper. That production was stopped middle of last year, for reasons formally unknown.
The new version is definitely less appealing.

In most cases my clients now tend to choose Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta.

Hahnemuhle describes the paper as having a “ pleasant, warm shade of white”. Is that how you see it? If so, that would be quite a bit different from Legacy Baryta. They also describe the surface as “high-gloss finish” as well as having an “ exquisite surface texture” which leaves me a little confused as to what the surface actually is. At any rate, thanks for your help.

[JRSmit]

My customers tend to choose by feelings, i.e. how the paper contributies to the experience one gets when looking at the printed image. Does the 'story'  gets across best. This is entirely subjective.
The old legacy baryta was quite liked, the new definitely not.
Same with the platine by the way.

[dkoretz]

Same with the platine by the way.

which--liked or  not?