Name: Ilford Harman Direct Positive FB1K Paper, Fiber Based Glossy Surface, 4x5" 25 Sheets
Brand: Ilford
SKU: ILDPF4525G
Price: 44.99 USD
Availability: BackOrder
Rating: 4.6 (12 reviews)

Ilford Harman Direct Positive FB1K Paper, Fiber Based Glossy Surface, 4x5" 25 Sheets

Ilford FB1K

Ilford

Harman Direct Positive FB1K Paper, 4x5in, 25 Sheets

Order now, your card will not be charged until it is ready to ship.

On Backorder

Order now, your card will not be charged until it is ready to ship. Estimated to Ship: 09/2025.

Adorama

Photography

Film & Darkroom Equipment

Enlarging Paper

Black & White Paper

Ilford Black & White Paper

Ilford FB1K 

Shop Ilford Harman Direct Positive FB1K 4x5" B&W paper. Fiber-based, glossy, graded contrast. Excellent tonal range & archival quality. Order today!

HARMAN DIRECT POSITIVE FB paper is primarily suited for use in pinhole cameras where exposure and processing in conventional black and white photo chemistry achieves a unique positive print - without the need for a film negative or inter-negative.  HARMAN DIRECT POSITIVE FB paper can also be successfully used in other applications such as direct exposure in large format cameras or by cutting small sheets for exposure in LOMO type cameras. Creative and unusual effects can be achieved when used to make photograms or perhaps substituted for standard photo paper when printing from negatives in an enlarger

Its fun to work with. Been using it for pinhole photography.

Harman Harman Direct Positive FB1K Paper, Fiber Based Glossy Surface, 4x5" 25 Sheets

Harman Harman Direct Positive FB1K Paper, Fiber Based Glossy Surface, 5x7" 25 Sheets

Harman Harman Direct Positive FB1K Paper, Fiber Based Glossy Surface, 11x14" 10 Sheets

Fun to play with

This purchase was for my very first attempt at pinhole photography and any time of photography where I developed anything myself, so I had no idea what to expect.  I purchased this based off the reviews of others, and I have to say I was shocked at how well my first attempt came out.  I run a summer camp and was experimenting with this process in order to determine if I could run this at camp.  The photo was amazing, and I am grateful for a product that allows me to so easily develop a photo and to be able to skip the negative step.

First-time Purchase, First-time Try

This paper is a lot of fun to use - you have to really nail the exposure, a bit like using slide film, but once you figure it out this paper gives great results.  Highly recommended!

Great p

I started using this positive paper in place of film sheets in one of my 4x5” cameras in order to preview shots before committing to the larger 5x7”and 8x10” cameras, but love the fiber based final appearance. I don’t need a 4x5”, 5x7”, nor 8x10” enlarger... ‘Can just go directly to print. Although I have a 6x7cm enlarger, I now love just heading out with the 8x10” and going directly to large prints using tube developers.

You could always have the print digitized or use as paper negatives.

The Poor Man’s Polaroid

Fantastic paper, pity they're discontinued though

To reiterate what other reviews have said, this product is currently out of stock everywhere and has been for a few months, which is too bad. I use it mainly in my 4x5 technical camera, and while it's a tricky beast, great results are possible.

If you want something other than extreme contrast then pre-flashing is necessary. Follow Ilford's recommendations on this procedure, rate at around !SO 3, and meter carefully. Post-flashing is also possible, and using an Ilford multigrade no.5 filter will allow you to increase the brightness of highlights, whites, and midtones while affecting blacks and dark greys less, which I didn't expect with this paper, but it works! I discovered this when I underexposed a set of images.

Great product with supply problems

The 4x5 size has been on back order for months. Are they still making the stuff? It is impossible to get here or at the other place in NYC. I bought a box, liked it, wanted to start offering it in my business but what is the point.

Who cares if you can't buy it.

I was lucky and privileged being able buy the last few boxes of this product available at Adorama. I understand that there have been some production issues and this product is no longer available. 

As a committed user of this product, I would like to add my voice to others, inciting Harman/Ilford to do their best to resume production and distribution of this truly valuable and unique product as soon as possible. 

In a world of digital perfection and impermanence, there are still many, like myself, able to value and make the best of this beautiful paper as an in-camera-positive. Whenever I teach alternative photography workshops, I can have my students experiment more with this paper, due to the much lower price than 4x5 sheet film. Also, students are able to follow and learn the entire loading/unloading and development procedure under safelight, which is something extremely beneficial for those who just begin to learn darkroom techniques. 

Well, I could go on and on, singing praises of Harman Direct Positive paper and the need for this product to be re-introduced on the market. But, poetry aside, merely from a business point of view, I would ask Harman Ilford not to fail analog photographers like other companies have done before. 

You are the last company we can consistently trust for the best Black and White film stocks and papers. 

As I am sure your research and development department must know, there is currently a rather big resurgence in analog (and alternative) photography techniques, worldwide and your help would be very welcome, right now.

My humble request is not just about saving a niche (albeit unique) product, it is about asking your help in preserving a photographic practice and tradition that can only be passed on to future generations until specific tools and media remain available. 

Sincerely,

G S

I only need you to continue producing it

It took me awhile to get the exposures correct. You have to reverse your thinking, because it is a positive - not negative. Fun to play with.

Ilford Harman Direct Positive FB1K Paper, Fiber Based Glossy Surface, 4x5" 25 Sheets

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