Could someone comment on the differences between the Harman Gloss FB AL and the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Pearl? From the canned profiles for each paper, it looks like they have a very similar color response with the Harman allowing deeper blacks.
Hi there, I am not sure if my current conclusion is exact enough and my english may lack the necessary precision in vocabulary, but I have tried a few sheets of Harman gloss Al plus 1 or 2 sheets of PhotoRag Pearl.
Comparing 2 papers is best when printing exactly the same file, which is not what I did, I preferred to profit of the few samples I had and printed different photos.
My impressions are as follows:
1. Harman gloss FB Al may be the best paper I have seen for inkjet - I have a new Epson 3800 here. It has a nice smooth and regular surface and a gloss which is not disturbing too much because the more regular surface avoids the "sprinkling" reflexions I get from the other "Baryt" clones I have tried over the last weeks. The blacks of the Harman are very deep, and the prints have a kind of clarity and sharpness that sets it apart from the other papers. Not by much, but visible.
What comes at a real surprise is that it smells like darkroom paper. Seems to be the Al coating. Although I have not nearly as much darkroom experience than many others here I definately like the smell...
2. Hahne Photorag pearl has a less regular surface the blacks are not as deep, it is less glossy than Harman, but the shagreened (hope the word is right) surface makes it more disturbing in my eyes. White is also warmer on the Hahne. I don't find it overly impressive.
3 . From all the other similar papers (seems that there are more every day being released, like Epsons brand new from yesterday's announcment) I tried and rate the others in the following order:
- Monoprint Rochester plus (95% of the Harman quality, probably only available in the german webshop monochrom.de)
- Innova Ultrasmooth gloss
- Sihl Baryt 285 (295?) - nice paper, but very (!) warm
- Permajet Royal 325g
I also received the Hahnemühle fineart Baryta and I am surprised but I find it clearly less attractive (surface again) than the Harman. To add something nice about Hahnemühle (after all I am German :-) - I really like their fineart matte papers.
Hope this helps
Bernie