Your thoughts on Arista EDU Ultra Papers.

waynecrider · May 2, 2011

Any insights on Arista EDU Ultra papers? I'm dedicated to actually printing once a week after not printing for years, but would like to save a couple of bucks while I relearn. Sitting behind the computer is just hurting my back too much.

mouren · May 2, 2011

I use Arista EDU Ultra VC RC 11x14 paper for making contact sheets. So far, I like them quite a bit. I shoot 35mm and bulk load. I like to load more than 30+ exps per roll, so, I need a rather large piece of paper to get all of the frames on a single sheet. It's cheaper than buying Ilford 8.5x11, which sometimes doesn't cover some of the extra long rolls, like 37+ frames.

I use Pearl and Semi-matte. They are nice and cheap for quick prints.

I use Aristra Private reserve VC RC semi-matte for prints I plan to show ppl, but not necessarily give away or keep.

Hope this helps.

tkamiya · May 2, 2011

I've used a few packs of Arista EDU Ultra papers in 8x10 glossy RC. The images themselves weren't all that different from Ilford MGIV BUT, the paper felt thinner and washing it for more than few minutes often resulted in paper separating at corners. It was ok for playing around but I stopped using it since then.

Developing it in Dektol 1:2, it took a bit longer than Ilford MGIV - which really wasn't a big deal; however....

pschauss · May 2, 2011

I have been using their RC/VC glossy for my 5x7 prints for several years and like it very much. I use a slot processor and I do find that I have to refresh my Dektol a bit more often than I did with the Adorama house brand (rumored to be Ilford) paper which I used to use (before Ilford stopped supplying it to them).

Valerie · May 2, 2011

I see hundreds of sheets of it go thru my classroom each semester. If you are using this for relearning purposes, it is perfect.

Maris · May 2, 2011

I've used several thousand sheets of Arista EDU Ultra FB VC for contact and projection work. It's my favourite paper.

My impression is that it has no particular virtues and no particular vices. The paper accepts and presents everything a negative has to offer without imposing an obtrusive characteristic of its own. Quality control seems to be impeccable and every sheet I've ever used has been consistent, predictable, and flawless.

I think my production quality has improved because I'm willing to use many sheets of this inexpensive paper to fully explore a negative. Hey, it's 1/3 the cost of Ilford Warmtone!

Mainecoonmaniac · May 2, 2011

Maris said:
I've used several thousand sheets of Arista EDU Ultra FB VC for contact and projection work. It's my favourite paper.

I bought box and I would have to concur. I think it's made by Foma which is another good paper.

jmcd · May 2, 2011

Arista Edu Ultra is my favorite of all available fiber base papers—I really like the way it looks, and I have done several comparison tests. It is my personal preference, and cost does not factor in, in this case.

It does not stand up as well to prolonged wet time as do some other papers, so I have learned to be careful handling the prints if they have been soaking for many hours.

EDIT: I use glossy.

Thomas Bertilsson · May 2, 2011

In my darkroom I use two papers: Ilford MGWT fiber and Foma Fomabrom Variant 112 (which is exactly the same paper as Arista Ultra.EDU VC semimatte).

I love both papers and use Ilford for portraits and lith prints, and the Foma for everything else. I use it with Ethol LPD developer, which is the replenished seasoned version of it. All of my negatives from about August 2009 have been targeted to suit that combination of Foma / LPD. It is the best fiber based paper I have ever used for my purposes as it takes toning from all sorts of toners beautifully, and I am able to keep it wet for two days to go through long toning sequences using multiple toners and re-development methods, seemingly without ill effect.

It is an extremely good product with impeccable quality control, and if you learn how to fully exploit it, it will help you make amazing prints.

- Thomas

An Le-qun · May 3, 2011

After seeing some lith work done on Arista, I ordered some. Professes to be mf'd in the Czech Republic (Foma), and the lith prints seem to have the same palette as Foma.

Chris Douglas · May 3, 2011

safelight

I had to change to a red safelight to use Arista VC. My old yellow safelight didn't fog Ilford paper but it sure fogged Arista. Other than that, I also chose Arista to learn with.

Thomas Bertilsson · May 3, 2011

Chris Douglas said:
I had to change to a red safelight to use Arista VC. My old yellow safelight didn't fog Ilford paper but it sure fogged Arista. Other than that, I also chose Arista to learn with.

I use an OC filter with the Foma paper without any fogging issues. The light is 4 feet from the developer tray, and 6 feet from the enlarger.

cmacd123 · May 3, 2011

waynecrider said:
Any insights on Arista EDU Ultra papers?

I have been using the various RC VC papers for contact sheets.

I find the EDU.ULTRA is very good, but that the Arista Private Reserve looks just a touch better. (deeper blacks and smoother looking surface.)

it WAS about the same price as the EDU.Ultra, but now is a bit more expensive.

bwrules · May 3, 2011

I use it now. I wouldn't say it's impeccable. What is? Sometimes there are orange-reddish specks embedded in it, but given the paper prices, and since this is quite a bargain, I don't mind.

bwrules · May 11, 2011

Also it is slightly warm-tone in Ilford Multigrade developer, and I like that. What tone are you getting in your developers?

Eric Biggerstaff · May 12, 2011

The FB version of the paper is my primary paper and it is excellent. It has all the same characteristics as Foma Varient 111 FB which was my primary paper. It tones very well and the quality is excellent.

ronlamarsh · May 16, 2011

Fragile?

jmcd said:
Arista Edu Ultra is my favorite of all available fiber base papersI really like the way it looks, and I have done several comparison tests. It is my personal preference, and cost does not factor in, in this case.

It does not stand up as well to prolonged wet time as do some other papers, so I have learned to be careful handling the prints if they have been soaking for many hours.

EDIT: I use glossy.

I have been using the EDU ultra papers now for several years and they are also my favorite. As stated elsewhere it doesn't have any quirks or impose itself on you. I find its tonal scale a bit longer than most and the base a little less white but I must say my best work has been done with it and it tones beautifully. The only wet problems i have had is with 16X20: if i am not careful it is quite easy to put a permanent dent in the emulsion but I thought all 16X20 was like this.

jacaquarie · May 16, 2011

I like the paper, the cost is such that I am willing to try printing a few extra times rather than my first worries as to what does this cost to do over. So my printing skills have improved. They needed to improve. In fact I use the Freestyle film also. Then again my camera of choice is the 4X5 Crown Graphic or 2X3 Speed graphic.
Now if I only knew what I was doing
Attached is a scan of my best printing from the weekend.
Good enough for me?

Arthur

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