LITH printing, ILFORD MGWT and Adox Variotone Premium

Tom Kershaw · Jun 26, 2010

In my experience MGWT and the Adox paper give similar results processed in standard developer solutions. However, the Variotone Premium paper is said not to lith whereas in the past I've been able to achieve effective results lith processing MGWT. I plan to make a comparison within the next week or so; but any previous experience?

My main paper for lith printing has been Foma 532 II Nature but previous results with MGWT might suit some negatives I'd like to print; and the attraction of the Adox is the white base which may be the same emulsion as MGWT...

Tom

Tom Kershaw · Jul 1, 2010

Bob Carnie · Jul 1, 2010

Tom

My favorite paper for lith is Ilford Warmtone, I have no experience with the Adox paper.
Are you pulling the Ilford the moment the blacks just start to emerge or when you thing the print is finished.
My experience with Ilford WT is that there is an amazing explosion of contrast in the fix which will fool most workers if they do not premature pull. **excuse any sick mind references **
I would be interested in side by side views posted of both papers of the same image, untoned.

Bob

Tom Kershaw · Jul 1, 2010

Bob,

Thanks for replying. I've not got to the tests yet for one reason or another but I'll try and make some valid comparisons when I do; hopefully within the next few days. Having not lith printed since last year, it might take me a while to produce some good results. The point about comparing the two papers is that they give very similar results when used conventionally, but the Adox paper has been referenced as not being suitable for lith printing. Developer will probably be Fotospeed LD20.

Tom

tomalophicon · Jul 1, 2010

Bob, I've found Foma paper to be similar in it's explosion of blacks. It was very frustrating at first. I found it considerably worse with more developer dilution, which is somewhat surprising to me.

Are you able to scan your results Tom? I've never used Ilford Warmtone but would be keen to see some examples.

Tom Kershaw · Jul 1, 2010

tomalophicon said:
Are you able to scan your results Tom? I've never used Ilford Warmtone but would be keen to see some examples.

Ironically, the issue of scanning larger than A4 prints is related to 'for one reason or another'...

Tom

Mark Fisher · Jul 2, 2010

I find Ilford to be a much more subtle lith effect than most "lithable" papers......absolutely perfect for the right image. I tried Adox and couldn't get anything I was happy with.

Thomas Bertilsson · Jul 2, 2010

Ilford MGWT is my preferred lith paper. The main reason is that it's so flexible and malleable. I find I can make good prints from both thin negatives needing more contrast, and really high contrast negatives needing less contrast in the print. Lovely grain, tones wonderfully - subtly if you so wish - in selenium and sulfide toners.

After I use up all my other papers for lith, this is what will remain as my standard supply.

- Thomas

Bob Carnie · Jul 2, 2010

Thanks to Guillume, I have tried quite a few, slavic, foto, and others but for my purposes and tastes I keep coming back to Ilford MGWT as well.

I buy this paper in 50 inch rolls as well as cut sheet , and the fact that I can comfortably make murals in Lith is really consistant within my workflow.
I just have to say the product is repeatable, fresh, consistant and somewhat readily available .

Thomas is right, with the addition of post toning a huge variety of tones are available.
The fact the print without toning can look green or yellow is already a bonus.
Making it look warm is easy with toning and some of my clients love the untoned look.
The use of flash will help with the grain if you want to lose some it. I can not imagine why you would as Flotsam said, it is supposed to be there.

Thomas Bertilsson said:
Ilford MGWT is my preferred lith paper. The main reason is that it's so flexible and malleable. I find I can make good prints from both thin negatives needing more contrast, and really high contrast negatives needing less contrast in the print. Lovely grain, tones wonderfully - subtly if you so wish - in selenium and sulfide toners.

After I use up all my other papers for lith, this is what will remain as my standard supply.

- Thomas

Tom Kershaw · Jul 2, 2010

Prints are in the wash at the moment. I can give a strong recommendation against using Adox Premium Variotone paper for lith printing, after 10 minutes the results were dreary, stained, uneven etc. I suspect the emulsion is substantially different from MGWT, even though both are made by Harman and can give similar results in other circumstances. Adox MCC 110 lith printed somewhat but not with the ease of the Foma paper or ILFORD MGWT. Scans may follow.

Tom

LITH printing, ILFORD MGWT and Adox Variotone Premium

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