New Fomabrom Chamois

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miha

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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.

 

koraks

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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.
 
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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

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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.
 
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miha

miha

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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.

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

John Wiegerink

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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.
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

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I'd much rather have a Fomatone on a pure white base.

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

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

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

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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!

Fomalux, didn't sell well.
 

GregY

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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

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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.

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

ntenny

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

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

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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

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

GregY

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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.

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....
 
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John Wiegerink

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I don't know if Fomalux is still being produced, but Freestyle has some limited amount of Adox Lupex contact paper.
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

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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.

they do have some 12x16" in stock

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

John Wiegerink

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they do have some 12x16" in stock

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

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Good timing!
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.
 
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