Fotokemika Varycon VC FB glossy

ymc226 · May 11, 2009

Just started printing and had some Fotokemika Varycon VC FB glossy to compare it to my usual Ilford MG FB glossy. The Fotokemika seems very slow (3-4 times) and needs much more contrast (3.5 as opposed to 2.0 ) to get an image I like. I also can't get the deep blacks. Is this just the paper characteristic or is there additional technique involved. I am using Ilford MG paper developer. The glossy seems matte-like in comparison to Ilford FB papers. Has anyone used the Fotokemika matte papers? How does it compare?

Also, according to the description on the Freestyle webpage, I tend to agree that the images look "old style" or is my opinion biased based on the ad?

Peter Schrager · May 11, 2009

Varycon

indeed this paper has the old time look to it...that's what makes it special
you have to dial in your negatives to work with it but I always develop for a grade 3 contrast level with my fuji acros and never have any problem either with a grade 3 or vc paper....your negs do not have enough contrast...believe me there are some major blacks in this paper....to me this is the best paper out there right now....make some negs with some extra contrast and reprint...
you will be suprised at what this paper is capable of....
Best, Peter

RobertV · May 11, 2009

Have you checked out your darkroom light for this new paper?

It sounds like the paper is fogged a bit, no deep blacks etc. Yes, the paper is much slower then Ilford MG FB.

ymc226 · May 11, 2009

I am using the red safelight not the orange OC so I think that issue is covered. How long should I let it sit in my Ilford MG developer? Usually, I let my Ilford MG FB prints sit for 2 minutes. Does the Varycon need more time and will it improve the blacks?

By the way, my Ilford MG developer has turned rust colored (opened it about 8 months ago and used half). It still worked on my Ilford paper so I used it on the Varycon as well.

ath · May 11, 2009

Yes, try to develop longer and in fresh developer. Some papers react more to exhausted developer than others.
I have no experience with Ilford MG developer, might be that a traditional developer is a better choice for this paper.

Philippe Grunchec · May 11, 2009

Varycon is a great paper! Yes, it does need AT LEAST 3 minutes in the developer to get good blacks... but then!!!

ymc226 · May 11, 2009

I like developers that have a long shelf life since I don't get to print that often. What developer would work well with this paper and still store well?

Has anyone used the matte version?

Philippe Grunchec · May 11, 2009

I use Tetenal Variospeed or Moersch products... or my own brews!
I use both glossy and matte (very matte) surfaces.

PVia · May 11, 2009

Use Ansco 130 1:1...extremely long life.

And give that print some time in the tray. Two minutes is way too short, even for Ilford!

ymc226 · May 11, 2009

Thanks for your suggestions. Since Kodak Dektol is easy to get for me (and cheap), would it work well with this paper and would there be any difference compared to fresh Ilford MG developer if I let it sit long enough? What dilution?

Mark Layne · May 11, 2009

RobertV said:
Have you checked out your darkroom light for this new paper?

It sounds like the paper is fogged a bit, no deep blacks etc. Yes, the paper is much slower then Ilford MG FB.

Isn't this one of the papers that requires a red safelight?

srs5694 · May 11, 2009

Lawrence Chai said:
I like developers that have a long shelf life since I don't get to print that often. What developer would work well with this paper and still store well?

I'm not sure if it works any better or worse with Fotokemika papers than other developers, but I've found DS-14 lasts a good long time. I use it with its matched replenisher. It takes me a few months to work through 1 liter of replenisher (I also use working solution in 1-liter quantities), and I've never noticed any change in working properties. For a while I made regular test prints to track this. IIRC, I went through two full replenishments before I stopped tracking it.

DS-14 is the mix-it-yourself predecessor to the commercial Silvergrain Tektol. I've tried Tektol, and it works much like DS-14, but I can't speak to Tektol's longevity.

Thomas Bertilsson · May 11, 2009

Mark Layne said:
Isn't this one of the papers that requires a red safelight?

Yes, it definitely does that!

I agree with Peter Schrager that Varycon is exceptional paper. A paper developer that lasts a very long time, and can even be replenished is Ethol LPD. It's fantastic stuff, and replenished it will last practically forever.

But you really have to tweak your negatives to eek the maximum out of the paper. There are some serious blacks to be had with this paper. Further, if you bleach it back slightly with dilute bleach, (1:10, Kodak Sepia = potassium ferricyanide + bromide), for about two minutes, and then dunk in the sepia bath, you can get some really glowing highlights.

Good luck, and make sure you use a red safelight! You will not get good prints unless you do. The orange OC one will not do.

- Thomas

Mahler_one · May 11, 2009

Sorry Thomas....not quite clear....might you go over the bleach and the sepia sequence and chemicals again....

Thomas Bertilsson · May 11, 2009

Very simple. Get the Kodak sepia kit. Mix the bleach, mix the toner.
Dilute the bleach with water 1:10. Bleach fixed and washed print for two minutes. Wash thoroughly. Dunk in sepia toner for about a minute. Wash thoroughly.
You'll see a slight warming to the highlights. Beautiful!

Peter Schrager · May 11, 2009

matre Varycon

I've used it and it is good...these are issues the individual needs to see for themselves....a really great matte paper is the foma 132 and it is not cheap but it reminds me of the forte semi-matte that is gone now....everyone here owes it to themselves to try these papers an SEEEE what they are like
Best, Peter

VincentM · May 15, 2009

PVia said:
Use Ansco 130 1:1...extremely long life.

And give that print some time in the tray. Two minutes is way too short, even for Ilford!

Pvia, Are you refering to 2 min in Ansco 130 1:1 ? How long do you let your print in the developer? 3min or more? I also use A130 so I am curious

PVia · May 15, 2009

I usually give it at least 3 minutes in 1:1, and depending on what you're after, sometimes longer. Of course, this all works together with printing grade and exposure...but don't be afraid of leaving it in there to get a sumptuously rich print with great color and tone.

DannL · May 20, 2009

Lawrence Chai said:
I like developers that have a long shelf life since I don't get to print that often. What developer would work well with this paper and still store well?

Has anyone used the matte version?

Two Fotokemika Varycon VC FB Matte examples. I really like this paper. It reminds me of charcoal drawings. Dektol.

mmcclellan · May 21, 2009

I use Zone VI print developer with Varycon and its sister paper, EMAKS, also sold by Freestyle. Both require longer development -- I always go at least three minutes, sometimes four, especially if I'm using Selectol as well to control contrast.

Efke papers are awesome, best in the world as far as I'm concerned. I use them all the time now and the price is excellent!

Pastiche · Oct 31, 2009

(jumping in a little late . . )

just pushed some little sheets of this through the darkroom last night.. . and despite the red safelight, my blacks seem muddy at best. .. .
I'm developing for 4 min in dektol...

I was reading over the spec sheet that comes with it and noticed that it said "15-30 sec in stop bath, this helps reduce (eliminate?) the yellow fog.." . . . has anyone else experienced this yellow fog?

going to go back to the DR and try again tonight... longer stays in the stop... and hope that my blacks clear up.

???

Mark Fisher · Nov 1, 2009

FYI - I found Varycon to be exactly as you describe...using red led safelights and a long time in the developer. It has an interesting look as a lith print, but I couldn't get good blacks. I'm sure it is a great paper in the right hands....but clearly not mine!

Peter Schrager · Nov 1, 2009

I have no problem getting deep blacks with Varycon....using zone VI dev 1:2 the blacks come up nicely...make your dev stronger to begin with folks!!
Best, Peter

Thomas Bertilsson · Nov 2, 2009

Weak blacks... The Varycon paper is capable of very deep and rich blacks. No question about it. When I see weak blacks in any paper I immediately look at the developer. If the developer is still fresh and works well with a different paper, I look at the safelight. I process a print in the dark (since it's time developed anyway), and see if the result is the same.
Usually it's been the developer or a safelight that's not safe.

As I stated in an earlier post, I use Ethol LPD. Replenished. I printed some today on this paper, and I got very strong blacks. If I were you in having problems with the paper, perhaps some trouble shooting would be in order?

Good luck,

- Thomas

Keith Yohai · Nov 14, 2009

Wow, thanks so much, I am sooooo new to all of this. I was told by analog photographers with much more experience than myself to try non variable contrast papers because I could get better tone, so I went to B&H and bought some of the 16X20 Varycon, a pack of #2 and #3. I've already used up all the #3 and am working my way throught the #2. I don't have enough experience to know what to expect and so I thought the old time look (muddy and a bit grainy) was due to my blowing up 35mm to 16x20. At the school we have orange-ish safety lights, not red. Now I know. I am browsing the B&H site right now for some good VC 16x20 paper and I guess I wont be able to buy emaks, verycon whatever other name it has, paper for now.

I've been told that Berger is the best and by the prices I see, I am guessing that is true.

I also bought some of the 11x14 Varycon, one pack of glossy and one of matte, and they both seem to be ok, but again I didn't know what to expect. I have noticed that the ilford 11x14 matte that I have is much nicer and so I use that and not the Varycon, now I know why. Thanks.

Any advices on paper are welcomed.

Fotokemika Varycon VC FB glossy

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