Fomatone MG on a white base

Tom Kershaw · Jun 12, 2009

Several week ago Tim Rudman mentioned in one of his newsletters that Foma were to introduce a new paper, Fomatone MG emulsion on a white fibre base. However, there hasn't been anything else online since.

Has anyone heard further information, perhaps from Fotoimpex or Freestyle?

Tom.

masimix · Jun 13, 2009

I have bought this paper (Fomatone MG 532 II) in Norway and used it for lith printing. It's not glossy like the other warmtone, but what they describe as 'slightly lustre smooth matt surface'. It's pretty similar, but seemed half a stop faster than the old classic.
http://tinyurl.com/mmyq38

Philippe Grunchec · Jun 13, 2009

The surface of this paper (which I use a lot) could be described as "shiny".

Tom Kershaw · Jun 13, 2009

I've used 532 II, a great paper. However, I was under the impression that Tim Rudman was referring to a new surface option.

Tom.

Philippe Grunchec · Jun 23, 2009

Maybe 123, Andrew Moxom's favorite?

Tom Kershaw · Jun 23, 2009

Phillippe,

I seem to recall Tim Rudman referred specifically to the 'Fomatone' emulsion.

Tom.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jun 23, 2009

The 123 has a textured surface, and its base is 'moderately' white, but it is no Fomatone, it's a Fomabrom emulsion.
Regardless, it's beautiful paper. Personally, and this is just my opinion, I prefer Fomabrom to Fomatone, which is why I've got a few boxes of it...

What I find slightly disappointing about Fomatone, though, is its price. It's as expensive as Ilford Warmtone now, which doesn't make it a less expensive alternative anymore. Especially the textured surfaces, such as the 532 and 542-II are really expensive.

Philippe Grunchec · Jun 23, 2009

Tim speaks of Fomatone 133 "warm tone emulsion with the MCC-like surface", you are right!

prm · Jun 23, 2009

You may have already seen it but Freestyle has Fomatone 133, warmtone velvet/semi-matt finish listed on their website they say it is a warmtone version of Fomabrom variant iv 123. I have used the 123 very briefly - due to lack of time but i will use it more, and that has a very nice look to it, matte with a very subtle sheen, and as Thomas mentioned, a moderately white base.

Paul

Mark Layne · Jun 23, 2009

Never been able to understand why people want pure white base with a warmtone emulsion.

Tom Kershaw · Jun 23, 2009

Warm tone emulsion papers can often be manipulated via toning to produce greater variability in results compared to neutral tone papers. Therefore, the base colour can be seen as independent of the emulsion tone.

Tom.

Chazzy · Jun 24, 2009

Mark Layne said:
Never been able to understand why people want pure white base with a warmtone emulsion.

Same here.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jun 24, 2009

Because, if you want a paper on white base that tones well - voila. Most of the warm tone papers out there, at least the ones I've tried - Fomatone MG 132, 542, Ilford MGWT, and Kentmere Fineprint WT - they all tone like madmen. You have to literally dilute the bleach for it not to go all gawdy.
On a white base, some really cool results can be had.
One a warmer and more yellow base it can be too much of a good thing.

With that said, I've been impressed with how Fotokemika Emaks and Fomabrom emulsions tone. Neutral tone papers.

My two cents.

Mark Layne said:
Never been able to understand why people want pure white base with a warmtone emulsion.

Tom Kershaw · Feb 8, 2010

Any more news on the Fomatone MG on a white base paper?

Tom

Richard Jepsen · Feb 8, 2010

A white base allows you to reveal a border and match to a mat board. If your placing images in a quality scrapbook paper tint needs to be considered if you have a border. A white base tends to brighten the highlights. My favorite papers have a warm emulsion on a non buff base that spilt-tone to plum/eggplant lows and mushroom highs. WT papers seem to open up shadows better than cold tone papers.

Fomatone MG on a white base

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