written by Anno Huidekoper
published on 15 March 2012

Review Hahnemuhle Photo Rag with Epson 4900

 

 

The German brand Hahnemühle uses its own brand name and other brand names for Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Our test samples came out of a Canon box but that could have been a HP box as well.

Specifications Hahnemühle Photo Rag

 

Weight: 180 Grams
Available sizes: A4, A3, A3+, A2 en 4 sizes roll
Used ICC color profile: Hahnemühle ICC color profile
Test printer: Epson 4900
Test mode: see FAQ
Recommended retail price, 01-01-2012: NL € 28,49 per 20 sheet A4 size

 Canon Photo Rag productfoto

What is different compared to the other fine art types papers of Canon /  Hahnemühle?

  
  • Photo Rag is thinner than Hahnemuühle Museum Etching, has less structure in the surface but has a color somewhat similar
  • Photo Rag is about as heavy as the nearly white Canon Premium Matte but Canon Premium Matte has a much smoother surface

 

 productfoto 9121

Wat are the differences with other fine art photo papers?

  

 

  • Besides a number of digital baryte papers, Innova also makes fine art photo papers with choice of much or little structure and choice of nearly white to cream
  • Epson has a number of fine art photo papers with choice of much and little structure and choice of nearly white to cream

 

 

 

 

 fotopapier

 ICC color profile and color space

  

The test machine is a Epson 4900. This professional printer uses pigmented ink and the largest size that you can print is A2 size. Hahnemühle provides the ICC color profile. The color space is a bit limited, 580.580, but wider than when you use a Canon PIXMA PRO-1 printer.

 

 

 Epson 4900 Photo Rag

Test results color on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag fine art photo paper

  
Most pastel colors, including yellow and orange, are displayed well. The displays of dark blue, bright red and brown are a bit disappointing. Photo's, printed with a Epson 4900 look better than photo's printed with a Canon PIXMA PRO-1, due to the wider gamut.  RGB photo rag hahnemuhle met epson 49001

Test results black and white on Hahnemühle Photo Rag fine art photo paper

  
The black is displayed very nicely neutral. The same applies to the different shades of gray, the display of that is neutral in tone. Absolutely disappointing is the depth of the black. That is much less than the maximum density compared with for example Ilford Gold Fibre Silk.        ZW 6 Photo rag hahnemuhle met epson 49001

Gloss and surface of Hahnemühle Photo Rag fine art photo paper

 

Photo Rag is thin and feels limp compared with many other fine art papers. It feels natural, this paper feels very differently compared to an ordinary glossy RC photo paper. One advantage is that you do not have to enter the paper manually per sheet in the printer. The color is described as creamy without it being a dominant yellow color. In the surface is virtually no structure. The paper is thus suitable for displaying small details. If you are looking for a paper with even less structure, Canon Premium Matte or Epson Archival Matte is a good choice. Characteristic of fine art papers, we get no hint of gloss differential and bronzing. The surface, or rather the ink on top of it, is vulnerable by the way. You quickly see a smudge on a black surface.

Conclusion

 

Canon Photo Rag productfoto

Pro

  • Gray shades are displayed neutral in tone
  • Black is displayed neutral in tone
  • No bronzing or gloss differential
  • Pastels, yellow and orange are displayed well
  • Dus to low weight, the printer feeder can be used

 

 

 Con 

  • Low Dmax
  • Surface vulnerable



The Hahnemühle Photo Rag is a fine art paper with a warm atmosphere and little structure. The material feels natural but the surface is vulnerable. Because it is fairly thin, you can use the regular paper feeder of the printer. Pastel shades, yellow and orange are displayed correctly but saturated colors and black are not sufficiently powerfully displayed. Positive is, for the black and white worker, that the grays and black are displayed neutrally. For lovers of warm fine art photo papers with little structure, Hahnemühle Photo Rag is a good choice, espesciallly when you use a Epson 4900 printer.

Website manufacturer www.hahnemuhle.com

 

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