Foma Fomalux 312 paper

outwest · Dec 8, 2009

After following this thread I ordered some to try so here is my take. It seems to be fairly fast, more like Lodima than Azo. My densest neg required 32 seconds from a 60 watt soft white at 4 feet. I had a very thin one that took 3/4 second so I switched to 40 watts. Comes up a little slower than Lodima in the Ansco 130. The dry down is significant. The matte surface is very fine. It bleaches and tones readily. There is a slight curl to the dry prints. Bottom line in my book, great for proofing.

BradS · Dec 8, 2009

[I"]....great for proofing."[/I]

I don't understand. Why it is "great for proofing" but, not for (i am assuming) ordinary prints :confused:

outwest · Dec 8, 2009

It's RC and I'm a traditionalist.

BradS · Dec 8, 2009

outwest said:
It's RC and I'm a traditionalist.

That's cool. Thanks....and please keep buying this paper too! ( i want it to stay around! ).

I've deceided that I'm going to start contact printing my 4x5's too....and make "snap shots" for the family album...and post cards...and, and., and... !

fshmstr · Dec 16, 2009

I'm using this paper also, on 5x7. Fifteen watt bulb about 3-4 feet above the printing frame. Exposure times usually about 45 sec. to 1 1/2 minutes. To control contrast I let print stand (no agitation) in developer after image emerges. I'm new at this having only printed previously on Centennial POP, which disappeared after my first order. I hope this stuff sticks around.

Ralph

Michael Kadillak · Dec 16, 2009

outwest said:
It's RC and I'm a traditionalist.

In case you have not been aware of the significant loss of photographic paper backing along with the acquisition of Bergger and Kentmere by Ilford and retirement of these coating facilities from the market to purposefully preserve the smaller market share, the realities of your term "traditionalist" is likely to be tested in a potentially serious way.

My feeling is that any and all analog materials should be investigated irrespective of any previous industry paradigms because the current market and the forward market for conventional materials is going to be evolving and contracting as a function of time. If we want to maintain these and many other analog products in the future we need to be much more open minded and regularly grease the wheels of commerce for ALL available photographic paper and films.

Michael Kadillak · Dec 16, 2009

Hoping to test my 11x14 Foma 312 paper in the next couple of days.

outwest · Dec 16, 2009

Don't worry, Michael, I will be ordering more of it and see it as a good front end to my Azo/Lodima processing. It's a nice paper and if I didn't have Azo and Lodima, I could certainly be content with it.

Michael Kadillak · Dec 16, 2009

outwest said:
Don't worry, Michael, I will be ordering more of it and see it as a good front end to my Azo/Lodima processing. It's a nice paper and if I didn't have Azo and Lodima, I could certainly be content with it.

Cool beans.

PHOTOTONE · Dec 17, 2009

Michael Kadillak said:
along with the acquisition of Bergger and Kentmere by Ilford and retirement of these coating facilities from the market to purposefully preserve the smaller market share,

This is absolutely new info to me in regards Bergger. What I understood was Bergger (a marketing organization) had Forte as its contract manufacturer for papers and films, and of course Forte went out-of-business. Bergger then approached Ilford to provide "some" product to be marketed under the Bergger name. I am not aware of any "ownership" of Bergger by Ilford.

Michael Kadillak · Dec 25, 2009

Finally had a chance to print with this paper. My first observations were that it is a faster paper requiring less illumination to properly expose it. With grade 2 Azo one of the negatives I was testing it with the Foma paper required a 12 second exposure from a 300 watt R40 globe about three and 1/2 feet above my printing frame. This same test negative on the Foma 312 paper I used a 65 watt globe for 6 seconds. The matt finish is a new experience to me but I have no problems with the fact that it is a RC paper. It is a bit more rigid but so what?

Any differences in apparent sharpness IMHO are related to the different surface finishes. The glossy on Azo holds an Ace in its hand in this regard relative to the matt finish of the Foma. That said the matt finish is "different" in an interesting way. I printed my tests with Neutol WA and did not mix amidol but I will next time. I will print a step tablet on it and see what a net density range this paper exhibits. Appears to be quite long to the eye.

The positives. It is relatively inexpensive. If this can translate to more prints being made in a tough economy that is great. It is offered in 11x14 which is great for 11x14 shooters like me. It washes in a flash and dries almost as quickly, and it looks very good. Contact papers are scarce as hens teeth these days so having a viable alternative is like a Christmas present. I am confident that with some time allocated to working with it the results could only get better.

The negatives. The only negative I see is the matt finish. While some alternative process have a matt finish look to their prints that works well I have become accustomed to the glossy finish which may be simply because that is what Azo has been finished with over the last years of its existence. The gloss on the Azo/Lodima print seems to reflect viewing light exceptionally well. The only other negative is that it only comes in a grade 2.

In a perfect world Foma would produce this paper with a glossy finish and a grade 3. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world. Thats OK. It is a good product at a great price. Try some for yourself.

squinonescolon · Dec 27, 2009

Thanks for the report Michael. On to Freestyle to order some.
Thanks.

Michael Kadillak · Dec 27, 2009

squinonescolon said:
Thanks for the report Michael. On to Freestyle to order some.
Thanks.

I will order some additional product as well.

When you get a chance to print with it respond with your comments for the benefit of future participants of this forum.

Long live analog!

Cheers

77seriesiii · Jan 8, 2010

Michael and et al.,

Thank you for the reviews, I purchased a box of 312 simply based on the advert at Freestyle saying it was silver chloride and contact speed. I was very surprised to see it and bounced btwn Lodima and freestyle trying to figure if I was reading correctly! Didnt really like the matte only option but as stated earlier beggars cant be choosers! Besides, I didnt get in on the Lodima paper order and this paper may be my only option for contact prints prior to my dive into salt/albumen prints.

Looking forward to seeing how this stuff does!
Erick

PHOTOTONE · Jan 8, 2010

77seriesiii said:
Michael and et al.,

Thank you for the reviews, I purchased a box of 312 simply based on the advert at Freestyle saying it was silver chloride and contact speed. I was very surprised to see it and bounced btwn Lodima and freestyle trying to figure if I was reading correctly! Didnt really like the matte only option but as stated earlier beggars cant be choosers! Besides, I didnt get in on the Lodima paper order and this paper may be my only option for contact prints prior to my dive into salt/albumen prints.

Looking forward to seeing how this stuff does!
Erick

You mean your only option for contact prints on CONTACT PAPER, as you can certainly make contact prints on enlarging paper of all kinds using the light from your enlarger as a light source, and even using the filtration for contrast control, if you use a Multigrade type paper. You CAN make good prints on enlarging paper.

BradS · Jan 8, 2010

PHOTOTONE said:
You CAN make good prints on enlarging paper.

Maybe you can but I certainly cannot make a decent contact print on enlarging paper. This Fomalux paper is...well, I really appreciate it. It is so much easier to work with. I am very, very pleased to have it available.

77seriesiii · Jan 9, 2010

Phototone,

You are correct. I was looking for any paper to make contact prints and a friend suggested Emacs as a place to start. I was going through the paper options at Freestyle and stumbled on the contact option of 312. I was honestly surprised as I didnt know there was a contact paper option outside of old hoards of Azo or the new paper of Lodima, which I didnt order and may get scraps of what someone decided not to purchase.

I'm fairly new to contact printing, is there a paper you like as I am in "try 'em" mode.

Thanks,

./e

michael9793 · Jan 9, 2010

Is it worth it!!!!! RC and Matt. the tow things you don't want. I havn't got my Lodima 8x20 and have a show in 3 months adn I need to reprint many of my 8x20 negs but I was hoping for the paper by Oct now it isn't coming till Feb. maybe, so I'm needing a contact paper but this paper is not even close to what could be used a good paper for displaying your work for sale.

michael9793 · Jan 9, 2010

The Emkes 888 looks like it could be good. anyone use that before when contact printing

Rick Olson · Jan 9, 2010

Michael,

I have used Emaks graded and Foma Fomatone MG Classic for some of my 8 x 20 and 5 x 7 contact prints. The Emaks is neutral/warm and Fomatone warm, but looks great depending on the look you are after.

Rick

ntenny · Jan 13, 2010

It occurred to me to look for sites in Spanish mentioning this paper, and I found this:

Dead Link Removed

They describe Fomalux as "made especially for Corporacion de Oriente", so I guess they are the Mexican market driving the production of the paper. I just glanced very briefly around the site, but it looks like they're basically a wholesaler to photo processors. I don't know why processors in Mexico would have a particular need for a contact paper, but I must say I'm glad that they apparently do...

-NT

outwest · Feb 17, 2010

Apparently no one has mentioned this yet, but I just mixed up some 1:9 RST out of an old bottle and threw a 312 print in. In 3 minutes I had rich chocolate tones. Didn't quite expect that, but I like it!

WarEaglemtn · Mar 1, 2010

" it is an RC paper - not FB. I loath working with fiber based paper."

You will find there are no serious fine B&W printers who work with RC papers.

Foma Fomalux 312 paper

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