someone using ADOX Vario Classic FB paper?

Willie Jan

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2004
Messages
950
Location
Best/The Netherlands
Format
4x5 Format
Hi,

Yesterday i made some prints onto ADOX Fine Print Vario Classic FB paper.
I was somewhat surprised with the look of the baryta paper.

It is difficult to describe what i like about it, but it look like my shadows show more detail than other papers and the highlights are tempered. Some prints look like a pencil drawing.

I was wondering if someone else used this paper and also found out that it has a strange nice look.
 

paul_c5x4

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
1,942
Location
Ye Olde England
Format
Large Format
Willie Jan said:
I was wondering if someone else used this paper and also found out that it has a strange nice look.
Click to expand...

Just tried a couple of sheets myself. The glossy has a textured surface and doesn't have the same bright sheen as say Ilford MGIV. The base paper is quite a bit thicker than anything else I've used (255g) and is easier to handle. When dried on a flat surface, it doesn't curl up like many of the lighter papers I've used... A quick dunk in selenium toner, and the details seem to pop.

Not a paper I would use on a daily basis, but certainly for those worthwhile prints, I would certainly use it.
 

Mike Crawford

Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2006
Messages
614
Location
London, UK
Format
Medium Format
Hi Willie
I started a thread recently to ask this very same question.
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
I really like the paper and I know what you mean about the difficulty in finding the right description for it. It reminds me in tone of older (and colder) papers from the 50s and 60s and the gloss is very subtle. Really respect what ADOX are doing with the different materials they are supplying and hope they keep stocking it after they have brought back MCC FB.
 

Mike Crawford

Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2006
Messages
614
Location
London, UK
Format
Medium Format
Only used the gloss so far. It is a bit more restrained and smoother than some FB gloss papers, but will hopefully will try out the matt when I have time. Suspect these threads may be merged soon!
 

Mike Crawford

Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2006
Messages
614
Location
London, UK
Format
Medium Format
Matt5791 said:
Mike - I love this "restrained and smoother gloss". I am also yet to try the matt surface.
Click to expand...

Absolutely! I saw an exhibition last year of Ray K Metzker in Norway and the prints had this cold darkness which I loved. I don't know which paper he uses but the Adox for me has the same vibe. In London at the Victoria and Albert museum, one can go to the Print Room and look at some incredible original prints. I was thinking recently about their 'New Topographic' folio, (Lewis Baltz and Robert Adams etc) and as I remember, these prints have a similar tone and feeling. I do know of Vario Classic's Croatian relatives but am very glad that this version is now available in the UK.
 
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…