Lower cost papers: opinions, info?

kjsphoto said:

For a VC paper try the Arista EDU Ultra which is FOMA I believe. You can get it at freestyle and not very expensive.

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I've been using quite a bit of that rebranded (as Arista.EDU Ultra) RC Foma paper. It's not bad, and does pretty well with Ilford MG filters - not so well with Kodak Polymax filters. You can't complain about the price at less than $30USD for 100 sheets of 8x10. If nothing else, it's plenty good enough for contact sheets and casual work. I'm looking to try this emulsion in a fiber based stock, though Freestyle seems to be out of stock. It was supposed to be back yesterday, and to be fair it was. When I went to place the order today, there was an "out of stock" notice saying that there will be more stock due in mid February.

Anyway, the attached thumbnail is a print scan from the Arista.EDU Ultra resin coated VC paper. Not too bad.

Photo Engineer said:

Kevin, I have posted this information so many times, it is there somewhere. Photo Techniques about 1.5 years ago. Sorry. The article is not on-line. My magazines are packed away somewhere right now. It does illustrate with curves, how bad some papers can get, but they give no names to the manufacturers to protect the innocent.

BTW, about paper costs, a box of 100 sheets of color paper is about $30. Based on the level of technology and silver content, a similar B&W paper should be about $25 - $30 or even less. The FB should be about $40 - $50. The fact that the prices are just a 'bit' higher than that represents the 'burden' in the market place.

IMHO, B&W paper is grossly overpriced if the market were normal.

PE

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I am unsure as to the U.S. prices versus U.S. wages and salaries but I had always assumed that in real terms your buying power( wages to prices) is above or at least equal to ours(U.K.)

If I am right about this then as your dollar prices represent good deals to us Brits, I'd have thought that even with Ilford's price increases its B&W paper is still a good deal and even allowing for the appreciably improved £ to $ exchange rate in recent months, there's nowhere in the UK that I can obtain colour paper at what is about £16 for a 100 sheet box of 8x10.

Unless some U.K. APUGers know different of course. In which case speak up please and I shall be forever grateful for the sources you quote.

pentaxuser

I have switched over to Kentmere FP VC FB as my primary paper after the demise of Polymax. I think it is great and I have had not contrast problems with TMAX 100 4x5 developed in TMAX RS.

I am not a big fan of warm toned papers but the Arista.Edu Polywartmone (i.e. nearly defunct Forte) is excellent. I think it would be great if Kentmere took over production of the Forte warmtone as some have conjectured.

That Arista.edu ultra looks good for the price... Do they all tend to look like that or was it just a good negative?

Where can I find Varycon?

And so does anyone know what the Arista papers really are?

Also, does anyone have any comparisons of cool, neutral and warm toned papers?

People;

Regarding prices.

Color paper is a good buy, RC B&W paper is a bit over priced, FB B&W is about right and digital paper is a scam IMHO.

PE

JBrunner said:

I have made some very fine prints on Varycon. Based on my conversations with Per about it, blaze-on (who is a fine printer) bought some, and couldn't stand it- so there you go....


FWIW "leaves" is printed on Fotokemika Varycon.

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Beautiful photo!

Straight from Freestyle

I too was confused about all the Freestyle rebadged products, so I called Freestyle and asked about what each Arista product actually is. Here is a summary of our conversation:

Paper:
Arista II- Kentmere
Arista Edu made in Hungary- Forte
Arista Edu ultra- Foma

Film:
Arista Edu ultra- Foma
Arista Edu -Forte (not sold any more I believe)
Arista II- Agfa

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I have printed on all of the above, and like the warmtone VC RC Arista Edu made in Hungary (Forte) best.

I have shot on most of the above film, and find the 400 Arista Edu ultra film too contrasty. I am, however, falling in love with the 200. It looks a bit like tri-x but has finer grain. I just bought some in 4x5 sheet film to try out.

good luck

steve

If you people up there, think you are paying high prices, then think about us down here.

Ilford 8x10" MGIV RC paper is $94.14 USD a box of 100 sheets, I cannot find it cheaper anywhere in this country.

It appeared that when Ilford appointed a distributor for their products in this country after their own distribution system was closed, the new distributor raised the price of Ilford products. I'm shuddering at the thought of another price rise next month.

I do realise that it is great that we can still purchase a limited range of their product here, but I think local pricing is starting to get out of step with other parts of the world.

I have now started to purchase Ilford paper from overseas as it is nearly 1/2 price landed. I'm talking of Harmon manufactured paper so it's reasonably current.

Mick.

singram said:

I too was confused about all the Freestyle rebadged products,
so I called Freestyle and asked about what each Arista product
actually is. Here is a summary of our conversation:

Paper:
Arista II- Kentmere
Arista Edu made in Hungary- Forte
Arista Edu ultra- Foma

Film:
Arista Edu ultra- Foma
Arista Edu -Forte (not sold any more I believe)
Arista II- Agfa
steve

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OK. So those companies make those papers and films.
They are not though saying that any of those papers
or films are Forte's or Kentmere's or Foma's or Agfa's
this or that paper or film.

As for Freestyle's Arista brand, I've always considered
it a brand in it's own right and not bothered much about
source. I've gone through some of their paper and have
no complaint. All and all I think the Arista brand is well
regarded. I think it best to regard the brand as one
apart, as with any other brand.

Some or all of those emulsions and their bases may
be unique to Freestyle's Arista brand. Most important
is consistancy and quality control. I'm sure they have
that in mind.

I wouldn't assume any specific Arista product is some
specific product of the manufacturers mentioned. Like
I said, I consider the brand as one apart.

BTW, interesting to see if Any papers and films drop
from the scene and if so which and how many. Dan