Multigrade IV RC papers (4th generation) were launched 25 years ago and have been hugely successful becoming the ‘go to’ black & white RC papers for discerning students, amateurs and professional darkroom users all over the world. These new papers have a slightly warmer base tint than their predecessor as well as better, deeper blacks, improved mid-grade spacing for easier printing and more consistent contrast throughout the tonal range.
Multigrade IV RC papers (4th generation) were launched 25 years ago and have been hugely successful becoming the ‘go to’ black & white RC papers for discerning students, amateurs and professional darkroom users all over the world. These new papers have a slightly warmer base tint than their predecessor as well as better, deeper blacks, improved mid-grade spacing for easier printing and more consistent contrast throughout the tonal range.
Multigrade IV RC papers (4th generation) were launched 25 years ago and have been hugely successful becoming the ‘go to’ black & white RC papers for discerning students, amateurs and professional darkroom users all over the world. These new papers have a slightly warmer base tint than their predecessor as well as better, deeper blacks, improved mid-grade spacing for easier printing and more consistent contrast throughout the tonal range.
Multigrade IV RC papers (4th generation) were launched 25 years ago and have been hugely successful becoming the ‘go to’ black & white RC papers for discerning students, amateurs and professional darkroom users all over the world. These new papers have a slightly warmer base tint than their predecessor as well as better, deeper blacks, improved mid-grade spacing for easier printing and more consistent contrast throughout the tonal range.
Last updated at 03/21/2026 14:47:58
Ilford Mgrc 5 Pearl New (40") 101.6CM X 30M Roll
Ilford Multigrade Deluxe Pearl 40" 101.6 x 30m Roll Darkroom Paper
Delivery $9.90
Ilford Multigrade Deluxe Pearl 40" 101.6 x 30m Roll Darkroom Paper MGRCDL44M
Free delivery
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
Best matt paper I have worked with in 50 years. Flatness beyond Brovira. Blows away Panalure. Awesome results printing C negs to BW. You will need an ultra contrast lens on a condenser enlarger though. Results low on diffusion. Dichroic may be OK but I do not have the head to test. Minimum 30 magenta filter required for average density neg. Dektol soup 1 to 2 at 80 degrees.As far as curling, I have not seen it, perhaps you are not squeegeeing after wash.
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
This paper is even better than the IV it is replacing. I've used IV for many years, so the news it was being replaced was a bit intimidating. But I have found both the blacks and the whites to be stronger and to hold more detail. This paper does behave a little differently in the darkroom. With IV you begin to see image in the developer after 8-10 seconds. With the new paper you don't really see anything until about 20 seconds, then it develops quickly. I've found that once the print is fully developed it looks on the dark and muddy side under the safelight, but it is not. The image really pops out at you when processing is complete and you look at it under white light. The tonal range look pleasingly liner, and I get the contrast I want with a slightly lower number ... MoreThis paper is even better than the IV it is replacing. I've used IV for many years, so the news it was being replaced was a bit intimidating. But I have found both the blacks and the whites to be stronger and to hold more detail. This paper does behave a little differently in the darkroom. With IV you begin to see image in the developer after 8-10 seconds. With the new paper you don't really see anything until about 20 seconds, then it develops quickly. I've found that once the print is fully developed it looks on the dark and muddy side under the safelight, but it is not. The image really pops out at you when processing is complete and you look at it under white light. The tonal range look pleasingly liner, and I get the contrast I want with a slightly lower number filter (or in my case, setting in the VC head). I've also found that burning and dodging take a little longer than I'm used to, and that makes it easier to control. For some reason, the image looks sharper than I get with IV as well. I use an Apo-Rodagon-N and my Peak focuser reveals perfectly sharp grain throughout the whole area of the image. And the print reveals that degree of care. Aside from that, the paper identical to IV. It is the same weight and the pearl surface has the identical face and sheen. It is truly a great paper to work with.
originally posted on bhphotovideo.com
I use this paper for making contact prints from large format and ultra large format (11x14) film negatives. It produces excellent prints with deep blacks, is easy to process and dries quickly. Altogether it's my current favorite silver gelatin photo paper those that I have tried in recent years.
Ilford Mgrc 5 Pearl New (40") 101.6CM X 30M Roll
Ilford Multigrade Deluxe Pearl 40" 101.6 x 30m Roll Darkroom Paper
Delivery $9.90
Ilford Multigrade Deluxe Pearl 40" 101.6 x 30m Roll Darkroom Paper MGRCDL44M
Free delivery
Best matt paper I have worked with in 50 years. Flatness beyond Brovira. Blows away Panalure. Awesome results printing C negs to BW. You will need an ultra contrast lens on a condenser enlarger though. Results low on diffusion. Dichroic may be OK but I do not have the head to test. Minimum 30 magenta filter required for average density neg. Dektol soup 1 to 2 at 80 degrees.As far as curling, I have not seen it, perhaps you are not squeegeeing after wash.
This paper is even better than the IV it is replacing. I've used IV for many years, so the news it was being replaced was a bit intimidating. But I have found both the blacks and the whites to be stronger and to hold more detail. This paper does behave a little differently in the darkroom. With IV you begin to see image in the developer after 8-10 seconds. With the new paper you don't really see anything until about 20 seconds, then it develops quickly. I've found that once the print is fully developed it looks on the dark and muddy side under the safelight, but it is not. The image really pops out at you when processing is complete and you look at it under white light. The tonal range look pleasingly liner, and I get the contrast I want with a slightly lower number ... MoreThis paper is even better than the IV it is replacing. I've used IV for many years, so the news it was being replaced was a bit intimidating. But I have found both the blacks and the whites to be stronger and to hold more detail. This paper does behave a little differently in the darkroom. With IV you begin to see image in the developer after 8-10 seconds. With the new paper you don't really see anything until about 20 seconds, then it develops quickly. I've found that once the print is fully developed it looks on the dark and muddy side under the safelight, but it is not. The image really pops out at you when processing is complete and you look at it under white light. The tonal range look pleasingly liner, and I get the contrast I want with a slightly lower number filter (or in my case, setting in the VC head). I've also found that burning and dodging take a little longer than I'm used to, and that makes it easier to control. For some reason, the image looks sharper than I get with IV as well. I use an Apo-Rodagon-N and my Peak focuser reveals perfectly sharp grain throughout the whole area of the image. And the print reveals that degree of care. Aside from that, the paper identical to IV. It is the same weight and the pearl surface has the identical face and sheen. It is truly a great paper to work with.
I use this paper for making contact prints from large format and ultra large format (11x14) film negatives. It produces excellent prints with deep blacks, is easy to process and dries quickly. Altogether it's my current favorite silver gelatin photo paper those that I have tried in recent years.
Simply outstanding, Best matt paper I have worked with in 50 years. Flatness beyond Brovira.Its so flat it may be hard to tell emulsion side, even I lost a sheet. Super choice for BW 8x10 film contacts, sample attached. Ilford needs to add a bubble to one side for emulsion direction, like a reverse film notch.Also, awesome results printing C negs to BW. You will need an ultra-contrast lens on acondenser enlarger though. Results low on diffusion. Dichroic may be OK but I do not havethe head to test. Minimum 30 magenta filter required for average density neg.Dektol 1 to 2 at 68 degrees.
The 'retooled' Ilford Multigrade paper is more sensitive to contrast changes. It gives a brighter white and good tonal range. For my work I find I can work 1/2 contrast grade lower than the previous paper. This gives me more control in the darkroom.I make limited edition, handmade photography (aka: artist) books. These are traditional hardbound, inkpress printed pages with the photos 'tipped' into the book page. The small paper size works for the overall size of the book. I save time by elimination the need to cut paper to size in the darkroom. The pearl surface finish complements the texture of the handmade paper I use.
If you just got into darkroom printing, like me, this is the way to go. For not that much money, you get 100 small sheets to experiment with. And when you finally get the hang of it, the results really are stunning.Would recommend the Pearl over Glossy, it's more understated, but your preferences may differ.
As far as the quality of the paper and how it performs, its totally fine. No complaints there. I just don't like the finish. I usually go for the pearl finish but I thought I'd try the satin this time. Not really digging it. Makes the print look plasticky and the blacks aren't as deep. Probably shouldn't have purchased a 100-pack.
I was a frequent and happy user of Ilford Multigrade IV RC before that paper stock was replaced with the new Multigrade RC Deluxe. The paper is still generally good when it works, but I had a big issue with the first 50-sheet box that I received. The problem is a high number of defective sheets in the box. The issue was small white (paper white) spots that showed up on many prints. I'm guessing that this issue is caused by uneven coating of the emulsion - so the image exposure does not get recorded on a few (or several spots) on the paper. I have faced this issues in the past as well with Ilford MG Fibre classic warmtone paper and with the Classic Fibre Glossy paper, but there were usually just 1 or 2 defective sheets in a 25 sheet box so I ignored it. In the ... MoreI was a frequent and happy user of Ilford Multigrade IV RC before that paper stock was replaced with the new Multigrade RC Deluxe. The paper is still generally good when it works, but I had a big issue with the first 50-sheet box that I received. The problem is a high number of defective sheets in the box. The issue was small white (paper white) spots that showed up on many prints. I'm guessing that this issue is caused by uneven coating of the emulsion - so the image exposure does not get recorded on a few (or several spots) on the paper. I have faced this issues in the past as well with Ilford MG Fibre classic warmtone paper and with the Classic Fibre Glossy paper, but there were usually just 1 or 2 defective sheets in a 25 sheet box so I ignored it. In the 50-sheet box of MGRC Deluxe paper that I received from B&H the problem was too severe to ignore. About 20 sheets in the 50-sheet box were defective, which was very frustrating in the darkroom.I'm a regular user of Ilford products was reluctant to leave a negative review for one of their products but I decided to do so because I found it impossible to reach Ilford about the issue. I emailed Ilford, called them and wrote to them using their web form to report the issue - but there was no response or acknowledgment from the company - which is very disappointing.
This has become my go to sole printing paper. I have been using Ilford Multi-grade filters since multi-grade papers first came out, though back then I used Kodak paper exclusively. I continued to use real paper rather than plastic based printing media until the cost just got beyond my budget.Though I do think I gave up something in terms of tonal range, the RC Ilford makes up for that with convenience and short washing times. I also think the Pearl surface handles all types of subjects well, and, frankly, when I tried the Ilford semi-mate RC I did not see enough differences to make it worthwhile stocking two different surfaces.I do think the blacks are a bit too cold for my preferences. I have reprinted old negatives and compared what MGRC produces relative to ... MoreThis has become my go to sole printing paper. I have been using Ilford Multi-grade filters since multi-grade papers first came out, though back then I used Kodak paper exclusively. I continued to use real paper rather than plastic based printing media until the cost just got beyond my budget.Though I do think I gave up something in terms of tonal range, the RC Ilford makes up for that with convenience and short washing times. I also think the Pearl surface handles all types of subjects well, and, frankly, when I tried the Ilford semi-mate RC I did not see enough differences to make it worthwhile stocking two different surfaces.I do think the blacks are a bit too cold for my preferences. I have reprinted old negatives and compared what MGRC produces relative to the old Kodak papers I used years ago, and notice higher contrast, a bit of tonal range loss, and colder blacks. But none of these are glaring weaknesses, and are only apparent when comparing older prints to reprints on the Ilford product
I recently learnt how to darkroom print (great fun!) and this was the paper they used, so I purchased some for future darkroom work. While I can't say that I have experimented with the full available range of darkroom papers, this paper was durable and very easy to handle. The pearl finish is perfect and subtle. The only reason that I have not given this paper 5 stars is because I am dubious about its performance for displaying art. If you just want to see how the image looks printed and add it to a portfolio box then this paper is perfect. However, if I wanted to make a darkroom print and get it framed for display, I think there are probably more premium papers that could be used. Nonetheless, great darkroom paper that I'll continue to use.
