Foma RC papers and Printo

SCKStef · 2007-02-27T12:25:05+00:00

Hallo, nun habe ich eine Printo bei mir rumstehen und komme zum nächsten Problem: Gut Fall: Printo mit Kodak RC Vario Papier und Agfa Neutol WA --> Alle...

SCKStef

Hello, I’ve now got a Printo sitting here and have run into the next problem: Best-case scenario: Printo with Kodak RC Vario paper and Agfa Neutol WA --> Everything is developed in 50 seconds at 25 degrees... Worst-case scenario: Printo with Foma RC Vario paper and Agfa Neutol WA --> Not developed properly, even at 30 or 35 degrees... What am I doing wrong? Foma says on the instructions that it should work, and so does Agfa. Is there an alternative that allows me to develop both papers in 50 seconds? Regards, Stähne

MirkoBoeddecker

Stephane, It may be that Neutol WA is simply not alkaline enough or has been diluted too much to activate the paper in time. What concentration are you using for the developer? Neutol WA is not a direct-action machine developer, and the printed dilutions of 1+10 or even higher should be treated with caution and, in any case, are only suitable for the tray. Machine developer is normally diluted 1:4. Kodak has cast its paper to be almost silver-free (very low silver content), as has Ilford. Foma has more ‘in it’ and therefore requires more/stronger chemicals. It may therefore well be necessary to develop Foma for longer or with stronger chemicals than Kodak or Ilford. Best regards, Mirko

SCKStef

Hi Mirko, I had a feeling that might be the case... Agfa recommends a dilution of 1+7 for use in roller-type developing machines (Printo) and a development time of 45 (± 10) seconds at 25°C. So here’s my question: which developer would you recommend for this? Best regards, Stähane.

MirkoBoeddecker

First of all, I’d try using a 1+4 dilution, as the Neutol is already in there and you just need to add the appropriate amount of developer. Otherwise, use a machine developer (Spur, Ilford). N113 is also very potent. Best regards, Mirko

SCKStef

Hi Mirko, Thanks for the info. I’ve already had a look at the SPUR set: - Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a data sheet. Is it similar with SPUR (with Fix, the setting time wasn’t even on the bottle...), or am I just looking on the wrong website? - The quantities are a bit too much for me to just ‘quickly’ try out a new combination... are the products available in smaller sizes? Best regards, Stähane

ChristianKolinski

I keep N113 in the machine at 24°C, and I haven’t had any problems with Foma paper so far. It hasn’t gone off on me yet either; I changed it after 4 or 5 months just to be on the safe side (okay, I didn’t use much during that time). I get two machine fills from a 5-litre bag (this machine takes 2.3 to 2.5 litres). Three months per fill works out at €11.20 a year... it doesn’t get much cheaper than that. Spur doesn’t seem to have any data sheets; have a look at the distribution partners listed on their website – you’ll find something there. Spur Paper Dur also seems to work well in the machine; it’s available in a 1-litre bottle, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be the machine manufacturer’s product in a 5-litre canister. Regards, Christian

Petzi

Hello, As an Agfa film developer, Neutol Plus is recommended. Incidentally, this is a developer based on a vitamin C derivative. It has a higher activity and reduces processing times. If you use Neutol NE and WA, you may need to increase the temperature or extend the development time. For most papers, what you’re doing will probably be enough, but you’ve clearly found one where your development isn’t sufficient. You also need to bear in mind that quite a few papers contain developer substances in the emulsion. Others, however, do not... The Foma might be one of the latter. The developer substances naturally also shorten the development time. Why not have a read of the Agfa data sheets for black-and-white paper processing? Best regards, Michael

SCKStef

Hello, Thanks for the detailed information; I’ll give the N113 a go. I’ll let you know how it goes soon ;-) Best regards, Stöhane.

SCKStef

Hi there, I’ve now mixed 10 litres of N113 in a cleaning bucket, poured a quarter of it into my Printo, and run the whole thing at 23 degrees. The results are impressive, and there’s almost no difference between my beloved Kodak and the Foma ;-) Finally found an alternative... The photos can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.de/stephane.schmuc..._03_17_BonnN113. Best regards, Stähane.

cfb_de

Hi Stéphane, Now that you’re French, perhaps you could give Mirko in Berlin a hand? Mirko is still looking for a well-educated French speaker to translate the catalogue. It’s a job that falls below the threshold for declaring secondary income in Germany. And it’s certainly no hassle – you can do it by email, read it on the loo (Wi-Fi), ... Best regards, Franz (hence the pun)

SCKStef

Hi Franz, There’s certainly plenty that can be done, and with the Printo I can save time to do something else; I’ve got Wi-Fi in the lab too, and I’ve ‘reclaimed’ the cleaning bucket, so I’m not under any pressure at home either :-) As for the offer to help with the catalogue, Mirko already knows what’s feasible and what isn’t... and that certainly won’t be discussed here ;-) BTW: Has there been a French edition of the catalogue yet?? Oh yes, and it’s not just the French section that’s important; the new website isn’t quite right yet either – the stylesheet isn’t working properly. Best regards, Stähane.