FOTOIMPEX Easy Print RC 311 - back again with a newbie paper question

[hoganlia]

First of all, thanks to everyone who participated in my previous post... I was overawed with the response and the advice.

I have nearly everything I need to get started printing, including Ilford MC paper. How exciting.

The question I have today is in regards to Adox RC paper. I didn't know it existed until last night whgen I was looking at things on the Fotoimpex page and found Adox RC. They class it as being "excellent for students and general photography"... and of course, what attracts me as a beginner in all this is the super attractive price. I'm sure I will be in for my fair share of disasters at first but also realise that the only way to do this is to do it ( as often as possible) and lower prices may help me develop regularity and experience.

I don't know if any of you have tried it but as Adox is one of the sponsors here I presume there may be a few. I love to know your views on the paper and your expreiences.

Any takers?

 

[koraks]

found Adox RC

Really? That would greatly surprise me. Please share a link if you can.

Adox did indeed manufacture RC paper up to a couple of years ago. In fact, they had two: MCP and EasyPrint. I've used both; the old 'EasyPrint' wasn't spectacular and suffered from poor blacks. However, MCP was a splendid paper - I still have some left and it's really good. The only problem with it is that it's not being made anymore. Adox seems to opine that in today's market, it's not cost effective to manufacture this paper. Or, rather: they feel that the sales price would exceed the willingness of consumers to pay for it.

Fotoimpex does sell an EasyPrint paper of unknown to me origin, and as I understand it's a lot better than the EasyPrint I once used.

If you're in Europe and you're looking for competitively priced papers, try Foma. Their Fomaspeed is very decent, and their FB papers (Fomabrom, Fomatone) are excellent.

 

[xkaes]

I've never used that paper, but any paper is good enough to learn and experience the process. That's what's important, not the specific paper. And when you feel comfortable with the process you can try a different paper and see what the difference is -- if any.

 

[jimjm]

Adox products are excellent. I've used their version of Rodinal and their Lupex fiber contact printing paper.
Never used or heard about the RC paper, but if the price is good, try it out.
I use Ilford RC MG papers for general printing and work prints, and switch to Ilford FB papers for presentation and framing, or if I'm selling a print. I prefer the texture and finish of FB paper, although Ilford MG papers give very good results and they dry quick and flat.
If you can find them, Kentmere and Arista have good low-cost RC papers (at least here in the US).

 

[hoganlia]

Really? That would greatly surprise me. Please share a link if you can.

Adox did indeed manufacture RC paper up to a couple of years ago. In fact, they had two: MCP and EasyPrint. I've used both; the old 'EasyPrint' wasn't spectacular and suffered from poor blacks. However, MCP was a splendid paper - I still have some left and it's really good. The only problem with it is that it's not being made anymore. Adox seems to opine that in today's market, it's not cost effective to manufacture this paper. Or, rather: they feel that the sales price would exceed the willingness of consumers to pay for it.

Fotoimpex does sell an EasyPrint paper of unknown to me origin, and as I understand it's a lot better than the EasyPrint I once used.

If you're in Europe and you're looking for competitively priced papers, try Foma. Their Fomaspeed is very decent, and their FB papers (Fomabrom, Fomatone) are excellent.

tHanks fo the info. It may be the same papaer or an upgrade:

FOTOIMPEX Easy Print RC 311 - High Gloss (RC) 10,5x14,8 CM (4,13x5,82 INCH) / 25 Sheets - Gradation: Variable - fotoimpex.com analogue photography

RC Variable Contrast Paper with neutral image tone and high light sensitivity. Normal weight RC base.Excellent tonal differentiation, especially in the middle and darker ...

www.fotoimpex.com

It's under Photo paper multigrage RC... at the end

 

[hoganlia]

I've never used that paper, but any paper is good enough to learn and experience the process. That's what's important, not the specific paper. And when you feel comfortable with the process you can try a different paper and see what the difference is -- if any.

Exactly what I was thinking. One of the most restricitve things about going analog is the cost of film and as a pensioner, having to limit how much and how often I can get out and about with the camera. Now that I am confident enough with my analog photography, I need to be able to build that confidence with paper priniting and that is only going to come from regularity and experiment. Cost counts....

 

[koraks]

It may be the same papaer or an upgrade:

Yeah, that's the newer EasyPrint I referred to in my post. Note it's not Adox-brand. I suspect this is maybe something coated by Harman. Could also be Fomaspeed though. Never used this version; only its predecessor which also came in similar packaging with blue print, but that was explicitly branded as Adox paper.

 

[hoganlia]

Adox products are excellent. I've used their version of Rodinal and their Lupex fiber contact printing paper.
Never used or heard about the RC paper, but if the price is good, try it out.
I use Ilford RC MG papers for general printing and work prints, and switch to Ilford FB papers for presentation and framing, or if I'm selling a print. I prefer the texture and finish of FB paper, although Ilford MG papers give very good results and they dry quick and flat.
If you can find them, Kentmere and Arista have good low-cost RC papers (at least here in the US).

I too am an Adox fan. Some of the films are super and I started Rodinal with them and am now on Adonal. I bought Ilford MGRC as well... a started box of 100 5x7 and a 25 pack of 8x10. Kentmere is scant here and Arista I haven't come cross in Euope. I am lucky enough to have easy access fo Fotoimpex in Germany from Spain and so far I am more than satisfied wth their products and service.

 

[hoganlia]

Yeah, that's the newer EasyPrint I referred to in my post. Note it's not Adox-brand. I suspect this is maybe something coated by Harman. Could also be Fomaspeed though. Never used this version; only its predecessor which also came in similar packaging with blue print, but that was explicitly branded as Adox paper.

Aha! Thanks for the correction. As you said, colour and branding from the Adox fibre paper is similar. I shall be more careful in the future.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks for posting the question.
I've updated the thread title - because it is much more helpful for others if the thread title mentions more about what the thread is about .
No problem from our end with what you posted. It's just better if you added a bit more!
Hope you have fun with your printing!

 

[hoganlia]

Thanks for posting the question.
I've updated the thread title - because it is much more helpful for others if the thread title mentions more about what the thread is about .
No problem from our end with what you posted. It's just better if you added a bit more!
Hope you have fun with your printing!

Thanks for your thoughtfulness, and you are 100% right. Next post I will pay more attention to details like that.

Much appreciated Matt!

 

[Sanug]

Easy print is definately no Foma repackaging. You can use orange Ilford safelight. The quality is much better than Fomaspeed. It may be Kentmere VC select, but I am not sure.

However, in flat gray parts of the image I find sometimes an annoying wave structure. This is the only downside. The unbeatable price makes it perfect for printing contact sheets. And for practise. For the most of my prints it is sufficiently good.

The black is much better than with Fomaspeed, and with the former Adox labelled Easy Print paper. It dryes perfectly without the need of an RC drying machine. Ilford MG V is of much better overall quality, but expensive, and more difficult to dry cold without spots.

 

[hoganlia]

Easy print is definately no Foma repackaging. You can use orange Ilford safelight. The quality is much better than Fomaspeed. It may be Kentmere VC select, but I am not sure.

However, in flat gray parts of the image I find sometimes an annoying wave structure. This is the only downside. The unbeatable price makes it perfect for printing contact sheets. And for practise. For the most of my prints it is sufficiently good.

The black is much better than with Fomaspeed, and with the former Adox labelled Easy Print paper. It dryes perfectly without the need of an RC drying machine. Ilford MG V is of much better overall quality, but expensive, and more difficult to dry cold without spots.

Thanks for the analysis.... a lot to think about.

 

[brbo]

Easy print is definately no Foma repackaging. You can use orange Ilford safelight. The quality is much better than Fomaspeed.

Easy Print is much better and 30% cheaper than Fomaspeed?!

So, basically the best paper and cheapest of them all RC papers?

 

[Sanug]

The cheapest, yes. Bargain. The best RC paper, no.

A better overall quality you will get with Ilford MG V RC. But for much more money.

With Fomaspeed I dislike the black, the poor gloss, and the required dark red safelight that sucks.

 

[brbo]

I don't shoot much BW and print even less, so I'm far from a person that could pass discerning judgements on different BW papers and I agree that Fomaspeed blacks are not exactly blackholes sucking all the light from the room, but neither are Ilford MG's.

I'll definitely have to try Easy Print. Much better blacks, much better quality (not that I noticed anything wrong with Fomaspeed quality) for much less money than already sensibly priced Foma paper... Who could say no?

And why is this paper not mentioned more often? Should be all the rave...

 

[hoganlia]

Easy Print is much better and 30% cheaper than Fomaspeed?!

So, basically the best paper and cheapest of them all RC papers?

Interesting, thanks

 

[hoganlia]

The cheapest, yes. Bargain. The best RC paper, no.

A better overall quality you will get with Ilford MG V RC. But for much more money.

With Fomaspeed I dislike the black, the poor gloss, and the required dark red safelight that sucks.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I have bought Ilford MGRC but based on a few comments here my next purchase may head the RC311 way.... more than anything because I will be financially be able to practise more

 

[hoganlia]

I don't shoot much BW and print even less, so I'm far from a person that could pass discerning judgements on different BW papers and I agree that Fomaspeed blacks are not exactly blackholes sucking all the light from the room, but neither are Ilford MG's.

I'll definitely have to try Easy Print. Much better blacks, much better quality (not that I noticed anything wrong with Fomaspeed quality) for much less money than already sensibly priced Foma paper... Who could say no?

And why is this paper not mentioned more often? Should be all the rave...

I think part is because of the different stockists holding different stocks..... I came across another German firm this afternoon Macodirect and they seem to have quite a wide range....

 

[pentaxuser]

Easy Print is much better and 30% cheaper than Fomaspeed?!

Strangely enough Foma has never been a cheap paper in the U.K. and I am talking about the pre-Brexit era here when the cost to U.K. retailer s to import it might only have been marginally, if at all more expensive than deliveries of Ilford paper

pentaxuser