Fogged Fiber-based AGFA-Paper

I have the chance to buy a big load of AGFA MCC 111 - the fiber based paper. AGFA stopped producing this paper in 2005.
Now I have heard from someone that there is a risk that this paper starts getting foggy two-three years after being produced.
Which means the paper I am going to buy now might already be foggy in 2007.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this?

Can you recommend any of these other Fiber-based paper and maybe tell me which one reminds the most of the AGFA-paper:
Maco
Fomaspeed
Varacom
Fuji Rembrandt

Thanks a lot!　

Similar to AGFA:
Fomabrom Variant. Its the fibre paper with variable contrast from foma. It is a little warmtone.

Dont buy old stuff. Your pics are worth better results!

A lot would depend how it was stored. I would be surprised if it was made in the 00's and it was fogged.

I also doubt the paper is fogged but that does depend on storage conditions. My agfa is kept in the freezer and it prints like the day it was purchased. I have also used some not kept froxen for a few years and it was fine.

I would also say the Foma Variant might be similar to the Agfa but I've not used enough of the Foma to say that with certainty. I have used the Foma made for Freestyle brand name and its kind of similar but I need to try different developers and toning to confirm that. With a regular developer it looks similar but I print agfa to be warm and i did not try this w/ the Freestyle paper.

I've just taken delivery of some Tetenal branded fibre paper which is really Agfa MCC. I'm going to freeze most of it, but what I've tested so far is fine. No fogging, rich deep blacks and clean whites. If it's one of Agfa's last batches and has been stored properly it should be OK.

If you want a paper that is similar to MCC then look at Ilford Multigrade MGFB IV.

Mike

I have a big stash of MCC 111 and it is printing fine for me.

The only paper I've found that comes close in look is the Fotokemika Emaks graded paper. And it comes so close that it is nearly indistinguishable. (At least both look alike when processed in a 1:3 LPD solution.) Freestyle sells it in the US.

I've not tried the Foma yet so I can't venture an opinion there. Ilford MGFB doesn't come close, nor does Galerie. The Kentmere emulsions seem close, but their paper bases are either bluish or yellowish by comparison, depending on the paper.

Sanders

Some of my stash of Agfa 118 is slower than I remember it. I used to start getting an image once it was in the developer at 30-35 seconds whereas now it's taking 1 minute or longer. That being said, it looks fine afterwards and most importantly it matches other prints in the 'series'.

MCC revival

I know it´s been a while since I have posted here about the MCC project but there are good news.
We tested the lab samples and they look even bettere than the original.
We plan a restart of the production of MCP for AUGUST 2007 and of MCC for April 2008.
Until then the paper last produced by Agfa ist most likely to be near perfect unless you stored it totally wrong.

In general it is not like paper will fogg after 2-3 years in a way so you can´t use it anymore.

If you develop a print there will be a point where all exposed silverhalides are fully developed. If you keep the print in the developer longer, then after a certain time the base fogg will start to develop and the highlights will start to look grey.
With fresh paper, normal working developer, proper safelight and at 20 degrees celsius this timespan of security should be long enough to work comfortably.
The older the paper gets the smaller gets this timespan forcing you to use a stop clock and work more exactly.
With paper close to its expiration date it should still be well over 30 seconds before any noticeable fogg develops.
Only after several years (or extremely inapropriate storage) the paper will start to fogg prior to full development of the last exposed patches of silversalt.

If this happens you can work against this effect by overexposing the paper and adding an anti fogging agent to the developer.

So I think if the paper you mentioned above isn´t too expensive you might as well go for it.

Regards,

Mirko

I recently used some Agfa paper I purchased fresh back in the 1970's. I had to use some benzotriazole in the developer, but with this restrainer the prints I got were just fine.

ADOX FOTOIMPEX said:

We plan a restart of the production of MCP for AUGUST 2007 and of MCC for April 2008.

Click to expand...

Mirko, you are my hero. Bless you.

Sanders