B&W prints from Kodak Portra 400 B&W

Can I print Kodak Portra 400 B&W negatives on Ilford Multigrade RC? I

usually use XP2 with good results. I have seen some lab prints from

Kodak's Portra B&W that were outstanding.....but processed on special

Kodak paper w color processing. I want to try this film if I can

print the negatives on regular B&W papers (Ilford multigrade RC)

Thanks for any help.

Rick G.

Sure. Times may be longer than usual. Many think that split printing works better with these types of film.

I find Kodak's C-41 process monochrome films present great difficulties in printing on conventional variable contrast papers. Generally it's necessary to crank up the magenta filtration to near-maximum which often results in featureless highlights. Pulling back on the magenta filtration results in flat, lifeless prints.

 

For a few special negatives I've resorted to split-filter print, combined with very selective dodging/burning. This isn't something I'd want to do very often.

 

IMHO, Kodak's stuff should be reserved for lab printing on more appropriate papers. I've seen some very good enlargements made from Portra 400 B&W but these were done by a pro lab, not by the photographer in his own darkroom. He had the negs scanned, tweaked the image files at home and then had the lab do the printing.

 

If you like XP2, stick with it for printing on conventional papers.

Thanks for the quick response. I used the older Kodak C41 B&W films....but they required a lab to make decent prints.....since I have an old standard B&W darkroom set-up....no filters except for the polycrast filters that I occasionally use....I'll stick with XP2.

Thanks again.

They might have used Kodak Portra BW C-41 paper - a pure BW or sepia toned one (that came after Ektamax papers had been discontinued). It perfectly matches Portra 400BW and almost eliminates the need for traditional printing on classical BW papers.