Affordable replacement for Adox Fine Print Vario Classic

[David Allen]

With the demise of Adox Fine Print Vario Classic (my paper of choice for a long time now) I need to find an affordable replacement.

I have tried Adox MCC which is good but lacked the micro contrast of FPVC and is 1€ per sheet dearer!

For a similar price to FPVC I have the option here in Berlin of either Kentmere Fineprint FBVC or Foma Variant III.

Anyone got in-depth experience of using either of these papers?

Many thanks.

Best,

David
www.dsallen.de

 

[BMbikerider]

My personal preference is Kentmere fibre base. Good solid blacks with a pure white base. Although made by Ilford now they are different as chalk and cheese. The Kentmere version being cheaper (in UK anyway) They also make a resin coated paper and I believe a warm tone one too.m

 

[Adrian Twiss]

Both these papers give cold tones especially when developed in the likes of Tetenal Eukobrom or D72. Kentmere is perhaps a little faster than the Adox and does not need to be used under a dark red safelight.

 

[spijker]

Sofar I like the Adox Fine Print Variotone Warmtone Fibre Base Paper. It has a white base and when developed in Ilford Multigrade developer, it seems more a neutral paper than a warmtone paper which suits me fine. I experimented a bit with developers and Kodak Rapid Selenium Toner (KRST);
- In Harman Warmtone developer and KRST 1+9 5 min, it produces a nice warm red/brownish tone.
- Just the Harman Warmtone developer gives a more greenish tint which disappears in KRST 1+29 8 min. The remaining tone is neutral again.
- Ilford Multigrade developer and KRST 1+9 remains pretty neutral in tone, maybe slightly warm.

I haven't used the Fine Print Vario Classic or Adox MCC so I can't say how they all compare.