1st experience with FB paper...

[stradibarrius]

I had my first experience with FB paper Friday night and was very happy with the results. I used a negative that I had printed several time on Ilford MGIV RC paper and the results were fair at best.
I print the same negative on Adox MCC-110 and the results were much different than what I had expected. The FB paper had more depth and luminescence than I had expected. I also tried Foma Variant 123 and was pleased with the results with this paper as well. They are different but both very good IMO. The MCC-110 was a colder paper and the Foma was warmer.

Both of these papers were much faster than the Ilford MGIV RC. Same enlarger, lens etc, an 18 sec exposure @ f8 with the RC, became a 6 sec. @ f11 with the FB paper. I tried another test print at f16 and it seemed to make little difference. Of course I expected to need another stop of time to achieve the same results.
Trying to dodge and burn is going to be difficult with such short times.

I used a Burleigh Brookks 670 enlarger with a Fujinon 90mm f 5.6 lens, #3 VC filter and Dektol 1:2 as my developer.

Do my results sound normal for those who have more experience.

 

[5stringdeath]

I recently did my first prints on Adox as well, and while I found it to be a pretty fast paper for VC-FB, I don't think its faster than Ilford RC, which I use all the time for contact sheets. But yes, I was kind of surprised at just how fast it was. But your results ( a full stop down with that much time decrease) seems odd to me.

Like I said I've just started with this paper, but I was getting a good 25-30sec exposure at around f11 on a Leitz V35

I will monitor this thread to see what the experienced with this paper have to say.

 

[winger]

I've only used Ilford papers. The times with RC and with FB are pretty close, though. I'd guess the differences you're seeing are brand-to-brand coating differences.

 

[stradibarrius]

The print turned out nice and I am happy with it. I just finished doing a selenium toning on both the MCC-110 and the Foma Variant 123. When they dry I will scan and post the prints.

I may have too bright a bulb in my enlarger. It is the bulb that was in it when I bought it but I may need to decrease the wattage a bit.

 

[Ektagraphic]

I just finished printing on ADOX MC-110 for the first time too and I really like it. I like it a little more than Ilford I think. I'll continue to use both. It seems a little thinner than Ilford.

 

[stradibarrius]

how about exposure times? How did it compare to your other papers?
I love the look of the paper.

 

[Ektagraphic]

Well the paper's speed seemed pretty similar to the Ilford FB....

 

[Ektagraphic]

But, the negs I was working with were not optimal so I can't say for sure.....