3880 Paper Options

[TomN]

I have an Epson 3880 printer and I'm trying to find a good quality paper to use but I find the whole paper names/terminology confusing.
The two papers I use now are the Epson Luster and the Ilford GSF.
The GSF is awesome but it's expensive ($8 for a 17x20" sheet) and I've had problems with scratches. The Epson Luster is fine but I would like something a bit better and thicker.
My question is, what paper do you recommend that has a similar finish to these - ie. Semi gloss. I don't like matte papers or the very glossy ones. I prefer something that looks like a traditional photograph.


Cheers,
Tom

[Richowens]

Lately I have been using Canson Baryta Photographique. Less warm than GFS but with a comparable surface.
 
  Rich

[Ken]

Lately I have been using Canson Baryta Photographique. Less warm than GFS but with a comparable surface.

Me too, but with the 7900... probably not visibly different results from the 3880. I avoid using rolls because it's like wrestling with spring steel. Gorgeous rich saturation and deep blacks, yet reproduces smooth subtle tonalities just as well.

[robgo2]

I have an Epson 3880 printer and I'm trying to find a good quality paper to use but I find the whole paper names/terminology confusing.
The two papers I use now are the Epson Luster and the Ilford GSF.
The GSF is awesome but it's expensive ($8 for a 17x20" sheet) and I've had problems with scratches. The Epson Luster is fine but I would like something a bit better and thicker.
My question is, what paper do you recommend that has a similar finish to these - ie. Semi gloss. I don't like matte papers or the very glossy ones. I prefer something that looks like a traditional photograph.


Cheers,
Tom

Where did you come up with that price?  B&H sells boxes of 50 (17x22 inches) for $200.  That's $4 per sheet.  BTW, after trying Canson's Infinity Baryta, I prefer it to GFS, although the two are quite similar  I'm just waiting to see if the 17x22 sheets come out of the 3880 with scratches, which is what I experienced with GFS.  If that doesn't work, I may try Hahnemuhle's Photo Rag Baryta.  It is made from 100% cotton and may be less prone to buckling in the printer.  It sells for about $6 per sheet.  A useful thing to know about 17x22 inch paper is that each sheet can be cut into four 8.5x11 sheets, if the large size doesn't work out.

Rob

[Alan Goldhammer]

My two standard "gloss" papers are the Ilford GFS and Museo Silver Rag.  Last weekend I got samples of the Canson Photographique and the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta and tested them out.  All four papers are excellent and give slightly different results with regard to finish, color gamut, paper brightness.  As noted by Rob, both Rag papers are thicker and stiffer.  They won't buckle as much in your printer.  I've not had any problems with any of the papers regarding scratches during printing.  The price differential when I looked is:  Canson < Ilford < Hahnemuhle < Museo.

Alan

[TomN]

Thanks for all of the feedback guys. I'm anxious to try out that Canson paper.