Foma Retrobrom?

cirwin2010

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Has anyone had experience using Foma Retrobrom paper? I have some interest in trying it for lith printing and conventional prints (if the contrast allows for it). I can't seem to find much information on it other than what is posted on Foma's site and some sample images (looks a warm green color?). I can't seem to find any reviews or write-ups anywhere.

I have been using Foma Fomatone paper for warmtone prints and lith prints. Mostly just looking to see if there are any qualities that might make it attractive in certain circumstances. Only thing I see so far is if you want that green color rather than the salmon orange you get with Fomatone in lith.
 
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cirwin2010

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I'm guessing that the lack of replies are saying not many people have tried this paper. Well, I decided to order a pack of 8x10 in the glossy finish since I am curious. I'm particularly interested in how this is going to compare to the Fomatone MG Classic paper I have and will make a print of a suitable image on both the Retrobrom and Fomatone paper (standard dev and/or lith).

I can make a post of my observations whenever I get around to it if there is any community interest.
 

radiant

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cirwin2010 said:
I'm not sure what you are getting at. The thread doesn't have any information on Retrobrom other than your post mentioning Foma's stated ability to lith.
Click to expand...

So you think Fomas claim that the paper is lithable isn't worthy anything? I'm pretty sure they know if it is lithable or not ..
 
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cirwin2010

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vedostuu said:
So you think Fomas claim that the paper is lithable isn't worthy anything? I'm pretty sure they know if it is lithable or not ..
Click to expand...

Maybe it wasn't clear in my original post, but I am aware that the paper will work in lith developer as stated by Foma. Its listed on the product page on Freestylephoto and in their technical sheet for the paper. I was looking more for subjective impressions of the paper since I cannot find anything of the sort online (save for some posts about its announcement back in 2019).
 

Paul Howell

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I have a packet, a few test prints, seems to be about grade 2, tones are ok, not wild about it. This a test print, the paper needs to be flattened, there is some glare from the edges while being scanned. And not toned.
 

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gone

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Nice shot. It doesn't look too bad at the edges where it's sharp. There's a pack of Fomaspeed Varient 311 here, whatever that is. Information on that one was pretty scarce too. My plan is to make some 11x14's from it this week and compare it to the Ilford paper I've been using. Will post a few examples of those when they're done.
Did you see these examples of the Retrobrom paper? If I ever made prints like this, I'd just stop printing because this would be as good as it would ever get. These really do look great. Think I'll order some.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wolfgang_moersch/49258181547/in/photostream/
 
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Lachlan Young

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It's nice looking stuff - and it does well in Harman Warmtone Developer. Do bear in mind that it is about the equivalent of G1-G2 range under a diffusion enlarger, and has quite a distinct tone curve which may harden shadows, relative to softer highlights.

The only thing I'm not totally sold on is the slightly green/cream base tint - I think I'd have preferred a more neutral off-white, but there has been commentary to the effect that it's referring back to some old papers that Sudek etc may have used.
 

@DrHSTGonzo

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I saw your message the other day and meant to respond to include a Lith print I did with Retrobrom.
I order a couple of packs recently. I have only made a couple test Lith prints during a session (and straight using ID-78 warm tone mixed developer).
I was pleased with the straight prints, though as of now prefer Fomatone of the two for that.
In Lith developer it appears to be a little more finicky than Fomatone, but looks to have some potential. The colors (in Moersch SE5 @ 1:25.) lean more towards the warm browns and olive hues. Here's an example of one I did, still a work in progress so bear that in mind.
 

Lachlan Young

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One other data point to consider: Retrobrom is a Bromo-iodide emulsion rather than the more usual AgClBrI emulsions (or very high percentage AgCl as used in some papers today) and may have some more commonality with film emulsions/ very old fashioned enlarging speed papers.
 
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