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> Fomaspeed RC & Fomabrom 111 FB Papers. |
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#1
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Fomaspeed RC & Fomabrom 111 FB Papers.
Has anyone used any of these papers and how do they compare with the Multigrade IV RC and FB papers?
I still have Multigrade papers to use up and a new box of Kentmere Fineprint, but the Fomaspeed and Fomabrom Varient are on my list to try soon. |
#2
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Keith of the two, I've used Fomaspeed Varient 311. I found grade for grade, Ilford's MG IV RC had deeper, richer blacks. I haven't a record of what print developer I used, but it would have only been one type, perhaps deeper blacks could be obtained with the right developer. Needs some trial and error.
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#3
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They are [ IMHO ] different kind of beasts.
Althought I haven't used the RC, the variant 111 is quite a lovely paper which looks retro, without being warm, compared with anything from Ilford, slightly less contrasty for each grade, and in my experience much more prone to get chemical stains when you're using several toners. Said that, I always stock some of it, so those cons shouldn't be that bad |
#4
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Fomabrom is my standard paper, and I am pleased with it. I haven't compared it with Ilford papers, but it's fairly neutral in the developers I've used it with. The base is warmer than that of the new MCC 110. I think I would prefer MCC, as it has a very special glow(difficult to describe), but what I can use on a regular basis also comes down to price, and MCC is quite expensive.
Trond |
#5
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Hi keith
I use the Fomobrom Variant 112, which is I believe, the matt version of the 111. It is a very nice paper indeed. A few months back, I had a very hard negative to print, and was using Ilford's MG4 5k, the matt surface. No matter what I did to the Ilford paper I struggled to get a decent print. I tried everything to get detail in the highlights, preflashing, post flashing, water baths, but failed. I pulled a sheet of Fomabrom 112 out of the box and produced a straight print from the same negative! Quite remarkable. Typically, if I print a negative on Ilfords paper at grade 2 1/2, I would need to print at about grade 3 1/4 on the Fomabrom to acheive the same contrast. I have one of Leon Taylors prints on the wall which I am pretty sure is printed on the Fomabrom 111. It has a beautiful surface, and lovely deep blacks. I know toning is not your thing, but it takes beautifully to theo toning, split with selenium. Hope this helps Stoo. |
#6
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Quote:
Stoo, your comments are much appreciated particularly how you described the difficulty you experienced with your negative and that it printed straight on the Foma paper, very interesting that. The Adox MCP and MCC papers are of interest as well, but they are just as expensive as the Ilford papers. I will thinks things over before buying. |
#7
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Keith,
Another vote here for Foma Variant. I've done a bit of 'conventional' printing with it and been pleased with the results, although I haven't assessed it alongsider Ilford MGIV. Apparently it tones very nicely. It will also lith (with a bit of patience), but it is quite hard to control. At Tim Rudman's last workshop, he showed some b&w prints made on this paper that had been bleached and re-developed in lith developer, with some interesting results. This would seem a more reliable approach if lith printing is your thing. To confuse the issue, you might also want to look into Variant 123. It is a much warmer paper than 111, with a semi-matt and slightly textured finish.
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#8
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Quote:
The price differences between different films is bad enough, but the difference in paper prices is even worse. I don't know why the Adox MCC, Fomatone MG and Ilford papers cost so much. Variant certainly seems worth trying. |
#9
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I like Fomabrom which I develop in either D72 or Ansco 130 (1:1). I would agree it does not have the same punch as, say, Kentmere Fineprint VC or indeed Multigrade IV. However with selenium toning it still produces rich prints.
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#10
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I like the way 112 tones in selenium, far better than MG IV. The variant 123 is completely different, much warmer with a base texture virtually identical to the now deceased Kentmere Finegrain. It liths very well too.
Steve |
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