Foma paper surfaces -- help, please

Ulophot · Aug 10, 2021

I'm impatient waiting to hear back from Foma, thus my appeal here.

I recently got some Foma Variant III and Classic, and ran into a couple of issues to be clarified. Anyone who has experience can surely clear them up.

1. Variant Matt, in my batch, has a subtle but visible texture, slightly wavy parallel lines running parallel to the short side of an 8x10. Is this their normal "matt" surface? (Ilford's is smooth.)

2. I received a Classic package labelled matt, but the surface is a nearly smooth luster, which I think must actually be their Fine Grain surface (packaging error). It's similar to Kodak's E surface, a luster rather than gloss. It certainly isn't matt. Can someone confirm this?

Thanks.

mshchem · Aug 11, 2021

I use Fomatone, all my work has been with the matte (semi-matte) and glossy surface paper. I find the matte is perfect for my taste. It's certainly not a true dull matte. Smooth surface. I have some of the linen-like surface, never used it, the stuff reminds me of Kodak's old E surface, not very appealing to me. I've used quite a bit of Fomatone and I love the stuff.

My favorite is what Foma calls matte which to my eye is almost an eggshell sheen. Perfect for me.

mshchem · Aug 11, 2021

Ulophot said:
I'm impatient waiting to hear back from Foma, thus my appeal here.

I recently got some Foma Variant III and Classic, and ran into a couple of issues to be clarified. Anyone who has experience can surely clear them up.

1. Variant Matt, in my batch, has a subtle but visible texture, slightly wavy parallel lines running parallel to the short side of an 8x10. Is this their normal "matt" surface? (Ilford's is smooth.)

2. I received a Classic package labelled matt, but the surface is a nearly smooth luster, which I think must actually be their Fine Grain surface (packaging error). It's similar to Kodak's E surface, a luster rather than gloss. It certainly isn't matt. Can someone confirm this?

Thanks.

Where did you get your paper??

mshchem · Aug 11, 2021

Ulophot said:
I'm impatient waiting to hear back from Foma, thus my appeal here.

I recently got some Foma Variant III and Classic, and ran into a couple of issues to be clarified. Anyone who has experience can surely clear them up.

1. Variant Matt, in my batch, has a subtle but visible texture, slightly wavy parallel lines running parallel to the short side of an 8x10. Is this their normal "matt" surface? (Ilford's is smooth.)

2. I received a Classic package labelled matt, but the surface is a nearly smooth luster, which I think must actually be their Fine Grain surface (packaging error). It's similar to Kodak's E surface, a luster rather than gloss. It certainly isn't matt. Can someone confirm this?

Thanks.

Also what are the 3 digit codes. 1st digit indicates paper base, 2nd whiteness of paper stock, 3rd is surface. Regarding the last digit 1 is gloss, 2 is matte, 3 is velvet, 4 lustre, 5 pyramid grain..I think the last two lustre and pyramid grain are not current.

Ulophot · Aug 11, 2021

I got the paper from B&H. The 5x7 paper in question is labelled Matt 132, but the surface is luster, as described, not the high gloss of my 131 package and entirely different from the Variant 112 Matt described in my original post.

Ulophot · Aug 31, 2021

I have finally received a clarification from Foma, via B&H, via their buyer, regarding the luster surface mentioned in my original post in this thread.

The surface is 132 and comes on Fomatone Classic FB, the warm-tone stock, even though the label calls it "Matte", or "Matt," which is the same designation given to Foma's actual (flat) matte surface, which comes on its neutral-tone Variant 112.

I did not receive any clarification on what Foma's advertised "Fine Grain" surface is. Anyway, to paraphrase Shakespeare, "Wherefore art thou Matte? ... A beautiful lustre surface by any other name..."

Philippe-Georges · Aug 31, 2021

If you know AGFA's Record rapid FB, then you know the FOMABROM FB surfaces...

Foma paper surfaces -- help, please

Ulophot

mshchem

mshchem

mshchem

Ulophot

Ulophot

Philippe-Georges

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