FomaTone - Contact Paper

[MikeK]

Has anyone used the Fomatone Contact paper that J&C sells. Looks to be a good price and I was thinking this could be a good way to go for proof prints, and save the Azo for the finals.

- Mike

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Jay de Fehr used it for his contribution to the Traveling Portfolio. Maybe he'll offer some insights.

Interesting stuff, but it doesn't look anything like Azo. Jay's print was selenium toned, and it took on a surprisingly reddish brown tone.

 

[MikeK]

Thanks for the insight. I will order some as soon as J&C opens for business. The speed of toning intrigues me. My favorite paper of all time Record Rapid used to tone like gang busters with KRST, but became much more manageable with a dilution of 1:30 and the result was superb.

Another plus point for the FomaPan is it comes in one of dearly missed paper sizes (12x16). I know it is available in Europe but impossible to find in the US. I almosty considered moving back to Blighty just to get that paper size

- Mike

 

[bmac]

What was the subject matter of your print Jay?

 

[bmac]

hmm, I dont think it was in the portfolio last time I saw it.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Probably not. I think Jay was after you on the list.

Jay, don't be so hard on yourself. It's an interesting photo. Maybe it's overtoned for a portrait (though I've seen uranotypes that are even redder!), but the color was interesting. With the right subject it could work, and it's worth knowing about.

 

[bmac]

Oh yeah, I remember it now. (off topic we go!) I enjoyed the print a lot because of the DOF on it. LF Portraits are not easy and you nailed it.

 

[Deckled Edge]

one of my first shots using my 17" Kodak Copying Ektanon


I just became the proud owner of 3 copying Ektanons and I haven't shot with any of them yet. How do you like the lens? How is the coverage and how does it perform at the wider aperatures? Do you think it would be worth my while to send the 21-1/4 inch lens to SK Grimes for a shutter, or would that be pearls before swine?

 

[Deckled Edge]

Two of my lenses are 21-1/4. I bought the second for the mounting ring and flange. They were meant to be mounted with a 90 degree prism that reverses the lettering on the front. With the prism it says, "Kodak Copying Ektanon". With the prism removed it says, "nonatkE gniypoC kadoK". The third is a 10 inch. All are dated ES or '47.

 

[Deckled Edge]

It might screw into your Copal 3, but it doesn't screw into mine. I took the elements out of my (virtually unused) 360mm Tele-Xenar, and the Ektanon elements were not a match. Perhaps there was a machined step down ring already in place within the Copal shutter, and if that were removed it might screw in, but I would bet that some more $$$$ will flow into S.K. Grimes before any Ektanons are sitting in any Copals.
I certainly don't need two of the same lens, and once I get mine squared away, I'll let you know via PM.
Glenn