After reading this article on Luminous Landscape by Mark Dubovy, I decided to try the paper.
My current preferred paper of choice is Epson Exhibition Fiber, so that's what I'll compare it to. First let me say the Canson Platine FR is a VERY nice paper! It maybe has a touch more DR than EFP; I can just make out the 254 white square on my printer test target and if I squint and turn the paper sideways, I can sort of distinguish down to the 2 black. This later performance is important because it gives exceptional shadow detail, especially in B&W prints. The Canson has no OBA's so is a bit warmer than EFP. The Canson has a similar but slightly smoother surface, and is not quite as glossy as the EFP, so runs a bit more toward satin. To my eye, is is slightly less "sharp" than EFP, nor does it give quite the impression of depth either, though these last points are very subtly different.
I printed up a few broad toned B&W images and my standard color image test targets on my Epson 7900 using the canned Canson profile for that paper and printer. The profile is outstanding, and showed no anomalies whatsoever. For color work, I recommend using the RC rendering intent as perceptual seems to add some blue, possibly to counteract the warmish paper whites. All colors are reproduced very accurately and most of all, skin-tones are excellent. In B&W, the lengthy tonal range and dead-neutral rendering make for stunning prints. (Note that I do NOT use Epson's Advanced B&W driver for my B&W prints, and rather print them as RGB files using all colors. This allows me more control in toning, especially being able to do subtle split tones.)
To summarize, with it's added warmth and slight satin finish, I think it will make an excellent paper for warm or sepia B&W's, as well as classic color portraits and landscapes. The only downside of this paper currently is it's cost -- it is about as expensive as the next size up EFP...
Canson Platine Fiber Rag can be found HERE at B&H and I suggest you give it a try!
My current preferred paper of choice is Epson Exhibition Fiber, so that's what I'll compare it to. First let me say the Canson Platine FR is a VERY nice paper! It maybe has a touch more DR than EFP; I can just make out the 254 white square on my printer test target and if I squint and turn the paper sideways, I can sort of distinguish down to the 2 black. This later performance is important because it gives exceptional shadow detail, especially in B&W prints. The Canson has no OBA's so is a bit warmer than EFP. The Canson has a similar but slightly smoother surface, and is not quite as glossy as the EFP, so runs a bit more toward satin. To my eye, is is slightly less "sharp" than EFP, nor does it give quite the impression of depth either, though these last points are very subtly different.
I printed up a few broad toned B&W images and my standard color image test targets on my Epson 7900 using the canned Canson profile for that paper and printer. The profile is outstanding, and showed no anomalies whatsoever. For color work, I recommend using the RC rendering intent as perceptual seems to add some blue, possibly to counteract the warmish paper whites. All colors are reproduced very accurately and most of all, skin-tones are excellent. In B&W, the lengthy tonal range and dead-neutral rendering make for stunning prints. (Note that I do NOT use Epson's Advanced B&W driver for my B&W prints, and rather print them as RGB files using all colors. This allows me more control in toning, especially being able to do subtle split tones.)
To summarize, with it's added warmth and slight satin finish, I think it will make an excellent paper for warm or sepia B&W's, as well as classic color portraits and landscapes. The only downside of this paper currently is it's cost -- it is about as expensive as the next size up EFP...
Canson Platine Fiber Rag can be found HERE at B&H and I suggest you give it a try!