Arista.EDU Ultra VC Paper Contrast

DeanC · Jul 9, 2023

Does anyone have experience with the Arista VC papers printing way higher contrast than expected? I've printed a Stouffer step tablet across the contrast filter set with both the FB and the RC papers and I'm surprised by the contrast. For example I'm seeing Grade 2 with an exposure scale of around 0.8 for the FB and 0.75 for the RC, versus the 1.3 that the BTZS Plotter sample data has for Ilford VC FB. I've been using Formulary 130 but Ilford MG gives very similar results. I'm going to pick up a pack of Ilford MG tomorrow to compare but I'm curious if anyone else sees higher contrast results from the Arista paper.

Thanks

Paul Howell · Jul 9, 2023

I think Arista is Foma, I've printed with Foma for years, don't really have much experience with ILford, but with my older negatives that were scaled to grade 2 paper seems to be in the ball park.

xtol121 · Jul 9, 2023

Curious if you’re also using the arista multigrade filter gels? I only ask because when I first started I had a set and they were marked improperly (grade 4 was labeled grade 2, 1 was 5, 3 was 0, etc.). Can you try another step wedge test with just white light/no filter and see if that’s closer to the expected 1.3 range you’re expecting? I can’t remember but I believe grade 2 should be closer to 1.05 log exposure range?

Paul Howell · Jul 10, 2023

I use a set of large ILford filters with my D3 and a smaller set of filters I got from Photowearhouse, Ultrafine for my Metopa enlarger, the Ultrafine set produces less contrast than my ILford set, I use grade 3 rather than grade 2. The Ultrafine might be made by Foma, not at all sure.

DeanC · Jul 10, 2023

xtol121 said:
Curious if you’re also using the arista multigrade filter gels? I only ask because when I first started I had a set and they were marked improperly (grade 4 was labeled grade 2, 1 was 5, 3 was 0, etc.). Can you try another step wedge test with just white light/no filter and see if that’s closer to the expected 1.3 range you’re expecting? I can’t remember but I believe grade 2 should be closer to 1.05 log exposure range?

I’ve been using an Ilford filter set, which they claim is compatible. I picked up some Ilford MGRC today that I’m going to try in just a few minutes, but I’ll also do one Arista with no filter as a control.

DeanC · Jul 10, 2023

The unfiltered Arista is much more like what I'd expect. ES around 1.05. My filter set is 20+ years old and has been in storage. New set on the way.

koraks · Jul 11, 2023

The datasheet for Fomabrom Variant (which I suspect is your Arista paper) suggests grade 2 will be ISO R 90, so a 0.90 scale. Unfiltered white light (I assume tungsten, but it's unspecified) should give a scale of about 1.00.
A little wiggle room would always be present especially in judging where the scale starts and ends, i.e. the toe and shoulder of the curve. Your grade 2 = 0.80 doesn't sound outlandish to me.

DeanC · Jul 11, 2023

Maybe I’m letting ExpoDev’s estimate of ES cloud my judgement?

Arista.EDU Ultra VC Paper Contrast

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