Using FOMATOL P developer

[hoganlia]

Hi folks. I have bought some Fomaspeed Variant 312 matte paper to experiment with and thought I would also try printing with a paper developer from the same company with FOMATOL P. I've searched the forums here and the few posts it appears in go back a number of years. Until now with Ilford RGRC glossy I have been using Adotol Konstant (also a powder base develper) and I am quite happy with that. I must point out that I am still a printing novice although I do feel I am making progress, so any comments advice that you folks could give me about this developer would be more than welcome. The paper itself has the reputation of being quite fast in exposure and I have read that the chemistry from Foma keeps that in mind.

Thanks in advance as always...

Joe

 

[Michael Howard]

I've used Fomatol P, it works well on just about any paper. It's pretty much a general use, not specialized, developer. Should be just fine for 312, a paper I like very much.

 

[koraks]

any comments advice that you folks could give me about this developer would be more than welcome.

In general terms, paper developer is pretty generic in how it's used. Mix the developer as per the instructions, you determine a suitable development time (often supplied with the developer by the manufacturer) and then use that. This is pretty much it, for any given developer.

If you don't know the 'right' development time for your paper/developer combination, keep in mind that you generally develop paper to completion, which means that you keep developing it until the image doesn't change much anymore. You can easily determine a suitable development time by developing a couple of test strips for different times and then compare the fixed & dried strips side by side. You'll notice that the shortest times yield lighter strips, but from a certain time onward they don't change much anymore. That time when they stop changing is a good time. Usually this time will be 1.5-3 minutes for FB paper, depending on the developer and dilution.

If the developer gets slow after some time (due to use or aerial oxidation), you could replenish it a bit by adding some concentrate, extend the development time or simply discard and mix a fresh batch. The latter is the most straightforward approach for consistent results.

The above is true in general for paper developers and it'll be no different for Fomatol P.

There are differences in paper developers but these are quite slight. If you have two developers at hand, try developing an identical test print in each and compare the results side by side. You'll notice that you have to look pretty hard to spot the subtle differences. It's then a matter of choice/preference whether those differences are meaningful to you.

Choice of developer can have a little more dramatic impact if you tone the print after development; the same paper may exhibit differences in how readily it tones depending on how it's developed.

 

[hoganlia]

I've used Fomatol P, it works well on just about any paper. It's pretty much a general use, not specialized, developer. Should be just fine for 312, a paper I like very much.

Many thanks Michael. My first time doing matte paper so you have put my mind at ease

 

[hoganlia]

In general terms, paper developer is pretty generic in how it's used. Mix the developer as per the instructions, you determine a suitable development time (often supplied with the developer by the manufacturer) and then use that. This is pretty much it, for any given developer.

If you don't know the 'right' development time for your paper/developer combination, keep in mind that you generally develop paper to completion, which means that you keep developing it until the image doesn't change much anymore. You can easily determine a suitable development time by developing a couple of test strips for different times and then compare the fixed & dried strips side by side. You'll notice that the shortest times yield lighter strips, but from a certain time onward they don't change much anymore. That time when they stop changing is a good time. Usually this time will be 1.5-3 minutes for FB paper, depending on the developer and dilution.

If the developer gets slow after some time (due to use or aerial oxidation), you could replenish it a bit by adding some concentrate, extend the development time or simply discard and mix a fresh batch. The latter is the most straightforward approach for consistent results.

The above is true in general for paper developers and it'll be no different for Fomatol P.

There are differences in paper developers but these are quite slight. If you have two developers at hand, try developing an identical test print in each and compare the results side by side. You'll notice that you have to look pretty hard to spot the subtle differences. It's then a matter of choice/preference whether those differences are meaningful to you.

Choice of developer can have a little more dramatic impact if you tone the print after development; the same paper may exhibit differences in how readily it tones depending on how it's developed.

Thanks again Koraks... the timing is something I have to get used to. With the Adonol I have been using 1:30minutes developing. As this paper this time round is matte, I have read that it is better to go longer to do just as you say and reach completion.
Your tip to sample strips is a great idea.. I hadn't thought of that! Very logical when you come to think of it.
Much obliged

 

[npl]

The development times for foma papers (including fomaspeed) are on the Fomatol P datasheet : https://www.foma.cz/en/catalogue-fomatol-p-detail-408

 

[koraks]

Thanks again Koraks... the timing is something I have to get used to. With the Adonol I have been using 1:30minutes developing. As this paper this time round is matte, I have read that it is better to go longer to do just as you say and reach completion.
Your tip to sample strips is a great idea.. I hadn't thought of that! Very logical when you come to think of it.
Much obliged

Sure thing, not a problem. Btw, don't tell anyone, but I aim for a 1 minute development time, regardless of the paper I use. So if it takes too long, I just mix the developer stronger. If the developer won't get the job done in a minute, I'll use a different one that's more beefy. I guess I'm not very patient!

 

[hoganlia]

The development times for foma papers (including fomaspeed) are on the Fomatol P datasheet : https://www.foma.cz/en/catalogue-fomatol-p-detail-408

View attachment 408280

Great.... I have decided I am going to mix down to one one-litre bottle at a time as there are not many 2.5L bottles around and I doubt I could use the lot within the limited liquid shelf-life. Thanks for the info.

 

[hoganlia]

Sure thing, not a problem. Btw, don't tell anyone, but I aim for a 1 minute development time, regardless of the paper I use. So if it takes too long, I just mix the developer stronger. If the developer won't get the job done in a minute, I'll use a different one that's more beefy. I guess I'm not very patient!

My lips are sealed.... hehehehe. I wouldn't trust myself to get that right just at this stager. I am still confident with half of what I am printing, but that leaves the other half dangling patiently.

I am actually a very, very patient person... perhaps overly so.