New Fomabrom Chamois

miha

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2007
Messages
2,961
Location
Slovenia
Format
Multi Format
Foma Bohemia recently introduced another paper: Fomabrom N Chamois. Many might remember the long discontinued Fomatone Chamois, a variable contrast, warmtone emulsion on an ivory base. This new edition is a fixed-grade paper, also sporting a chlorobromide emulsion. I need to get some soon because I really miss the discontinued Fomatone Chamois.

FOMABROM N chamois

Black and white photographic paper a baryta paper base (FB) with retro tone and excellent image stability. Chlorobromide silver emulsion gives the resulting image a neutral to slightly silvery warm tone. FOMABROM N chamois is produced on a baryta paper base (FB) with glossy and matt surface in...
www.foma.cz
 

koraks

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 29, 2018
Messages
22,717
Location
Europe
Format
Multi Format
Certainly, it's undoubtedly a fine product, but I won't buy it.
My remark was triggered by my personal disappointment at the new product introductions of Foma in general. They somehow always seem to make up products that don't interest me. First there was retropan, then they came quite recently with the fancy-colored paper that I wouldn't have a use for either. It's a pity and it makes me wonder how well these products really perform in the market. I have some questions w.r.t. their market research, which seems to be conspicuously...invisible.
 

retina_restoration

Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2023
Messages
1,142
Location
Wilammette Valley, Oregon
Format
35mm RF
I prefer warmtone papers, but I wonder if that new Foma Chamois is really as yellow as it appears to be?? I’m curious, but the paper tint seems too strong for anything other than an occasional “gimmick” print.
 

AZD

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2021
Messages
336
Location
SLC, UT
Format
35mm
I saw this pop up on Foma’s website a while back. Looks interesting for occasional use but not sure how often I’d use it.

The color tint papers are interesting, but even more limited. Maybe would be fun for stuff like multiple prints of the same or similar negative presented together in different colors, but again how often?

I remember there used to be a number of (probably Eastern European?) darkroom papers in various colors and metallic finishes. I would actually like to have something in silver. It looked cool.

Seems like more usable options might be the 111’s cold/neutral emulsion on the 131’s tinted base, and the 131’s warm emulsion on the 111’s bright white base. Maybe splitting too many hairs in an already balding market? Flashy new things get more attention.

Also, Foma discontinued their 113 and 133 textured surfaces due to the paper supplier dropping the needed materials.
 
OP
OP

miha

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2007
Messages
2,961
Location
Slovenia
Format
Multi Format
AZD said:
I remember there used to be a number of (probably Eastern European?) darkroom papers in various colors and metallic finishes. I would actually like to have something in silver. It looked cool.
Click to expand...

Those papers were made in Munich, Germany by a company called Argenta.
 

John Wiegerink

Subscriber
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
3,636
Location
Lake Station, MI
Format
Multi Format
Yes, it would be nice if they would come out with a paper like AZO or something similar. I will have to say that one of their more recent introductions has impressed me somewhat and that is Foma Ortho 400. I also like their Foma 200, but don't use it in 120 size due to emulsion defects that they never seem to want to correct. We can't have everything I guess!
 

xtol121

Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2020
Messages
98
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Format
35mm RF
koraks said:
I'd much rather have a Fomatone on a pure white base.
Click to expand...

I wouldn’t be mad at that! But I’m also not mad at an even warmer toned option. I find Ilford classic too cold. Ilford’s warm tone feels neutral to me. I’m currently using Foma 131 as my everyday paper because I like the warmer base and I love how it reacts to selenium. If Freestyle ever decides to stock this I’m sure it will be fun to play with. I have no experience with graded paper and it seems like it will go well with my newfound love for large format. I’ll really get to put my zone system skills to the test haha
 

AZD

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2021
Messages
336
Location
SLC, UT
Format
35mm
miha said:
Those papers were made in Munich, Germany by a company called Argenta.
Click to expand...

Thanks, there’s no way I would have ever remembered that. The only thing I do remember is thumbing through an old Freestyle (or similar) catalog and being amazed at all the cheap papers and films available. I’m glad Foma is still around.
 

mshchem

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
14,628
Location
Iowa City, Iowa USA
Format
Medium Format

Fomalux, didn't sell well.
 

GregY

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2005
Messages
3,324
Location
Alberta
Format
Large Format
JW, Azo etc (Lodima).... are a real niche market....especially these days. Michael Smith & Paula Chamlee did a great job keeping contact printing papers alive for many years. But for a small company niche items can make the difference between staying & going out of business...ask Fotoimpex.
 

Peter Schrager

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 19, 2004
Messages
4,158
Location
fairfield co
Format
Large Format

If im not mistaken fomalux was azo on a rc type paper...something weird although im sure it was nice
 

ntenny

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 5, 2008
Messages
2,476
Location
Portland, OR, USA
Format
Multi Format
Peter Schrager said:
If im not mistaken fomalux was azo on a rc type paper...something weird although im sure it was nice
Click to expand...

I started learning to print on Fomalux, because it was a contact-speed paper and I had no enlarger. I still have a bunch of 5x7 in a paper safe. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I don’t think many people considered it to have the magic of AZO even though it was a chloride paper. You’re right that it was RC.

Someone on APUG said, IIRC, that it was serving a specific market in Latin America, but they didn’t seem to want to say what that market was. I found it useful at the time, but I’m not exactly sure why Foma made it.

-NT
 

Peter Schrager

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 19, 2004
Messages
4,158
Location
fairfield co
Format
Large Format

Thanks for the clarification! Fotoimpex has an azo paper but its a grade 3 to 4
 

GregY

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2005
Messages
3,324
Location
Alberta
Format
Large Format
John Wiegerink said:
I might try this for some 8X10 contact prints in the future, but I hate the fact that the shipping to the States is more than the price of the 25 sheet pack itself.
Click to expand...

I don't know if Fomalux is still being produced, but Freestyle has some limited amount of Adox Lupex contact paper in stock. As for shipping prices..... it's true worldwide..... often more than the cost of the item....
 
Last edited:

John Wiegerink

Subscriber
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
3,636
Location
Lake Station, MI
Format
Multi Format
GregY said:
I don't know if Fomalux is still being produced, but Freestyle has some limited amount of Adox Lupex contact paper.
Click to expand...
Yes, I checked Freestyle, but they only have 5X7 in stock. I'll keep checking back with them to see when and if they get a shipment of 8X10 in. No big worry since there are many other papers I can use for contact printing, but it would be nice to have some real slow paper like Lupex.
 

GregY

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2005
Messages
3,324
Location
Alberta
Format
Large Format

they do have some 12x16" in stock

Adox Lupex Contact Paper - Natural Gloss (Baryta) 12x16/25 s

Silver chloride special 255gsm paper for contact copies of large format negatives. Replacement for Kodak Azo or Fomalux. Extremely fine-grained and high-resolution
www.freestylephoto.com

Checking the Foma website, I see Fomalux is no longer listed.
 

John Wiegerink

Subscriber
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
3,636
Location
Lake Station, MI
Format
Multi Format
I just sign for a notification from Freestyle for when their shipment of 8X10 Lupex comes in. It shows it's due August 25th.
 

John Wiegerink

Subscriber
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
3,636
Location
Lake Station, MI
Format
Multi Format
GregY said:
Good timing!
Click to expand...
Yes, I just got done completely dismantling and refinishing my 8X10 camera. I'm now taking my time testing out my long stored 8X10 film. By the time I get done testing the film, camera and a couple , new to me, lenses it might be in stock. No hurry anyway since I have some Foma paper to try contact printing on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…