Foma RC Paper

[Sam N]

I'm taking a printing class and I've just bought some 11x14 paper for my final project. I looked at some samples at the Freestyle store and settled on Foma 332 Warm Tone RC variable gradation paper. I first leaned toward Ilford MGIV Lustre, but they didn't have enough of it. The only other paper I've used is Ilford MGIV Glossy 8x10.

This is what I ended up with:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/381129-REG/Foma_413112_Fomatone_MG_332_11x14_25.html#features

The one concern I have is this quote from the B&H info page:
"Because of a lowered speed the paper is mainly suitable for contact works, but it can be used as enlarging paper as well. The contrast of Fomatone MG can be varied in a large grade scale from extra soft to hard using color filters."

Will this be much slower than the Ilford paper? Is there some place I can look up specs? Should I have picked something else?

I wasn't able to find any reviews or other information about this paper online. Has anyone used it? Is it any good?

One more thing: When using matte papers, how does one tell which side of the paper is light sensitive?

 

[Sam N]

After some more googling, I just found this information:

http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cach...f+fomatone+warmtone&cd=10&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

says that with a 2 filter the speed is ISO 90

The PDF fact sheet linked from here:
http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/product.asp?n=21&t=Photographic+Papers

Says that with a 2 filter the speed for the Ilford paper I was using is ISO 110.

I guess it's not too big of a difference.

Anyway, I'd still love to hear any experiences anyone has had with this paper (Foma 332).

 

[David William White]

I've used both and have had no difficulty using Foma RC paper for projection. The speed difference becomes noticeable when you filter, because the two emulsions do not respond equally to the same set of contrast filters, but no big deal really. For instance, you might find that for the same aperture and head height, and under an Ilford 00 filter, the Foma RC might take 50 seconds whereas the MG paper might take 30, or somesuch. Those numbers are just for example.

The Foma WarmTone nicely presents fine shadow detail just like MG Warmtone, and it makes a very nice paper for low-key photographs.

To tell which side has the silver gelatin emulsion, it will be the shiner side. If you can't see that under safelight, wet your fingers and see which side is sticky (on the edge, eh). The sticky side goes face up. You will probably notice a slight curl to the Foma paper, so remember if the emulsion is on the concave or the convex side.

 

[Fotohuis]

Fomaspeed Variant PE/RC is about the same speed of Ilford MG IV.

Fomatone MG (PE/RC) is a factor 4 less sensitive then the regular Fomaspeed Variant paper. All warmtone papers are less sensitive.

To check for the emulsion side: Look at the paper and the lustre finish is the emulsion side. The other side is white matte.

You can use all Fomatone warmtone papers for enlargements.
At http://www.foma.cz you can look up the specifications.

 

[Sam N]

Now that I've used the paper, I really like it. The emulsion side can easily be seen under the safelights. The relatively long exposure times are annoying, but the results are spectacular.

 

[shadowfox]

Now that I've used the paper, I really like it. The emulsion side can easily be seen under the safelights. The relatively long exposure times are annoying, but the results are spectacular.

The longer exposure time is very useful once you've come to appreciate the ability to burn and dodge parts of the print. 🙂

 

[sniki]

The longer exposure time is very useful once you've come to appreciate the ability to burn and dodge parts of the print. 🙂

Words of wisdom!